4 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Accepting a Job Offer

What does the job pay?

According to various employment surveys, compensation is the top concern when considering a job offer. It includes everything from base pay to cash awards to health benefits and perks. Every worker wants to be paid what the job is worth and to be valued for his or her contribution. Even scripture tells us that a worker is worthy of his keep (Matthew 10:10). So, to ensure you’re not being disadvantaged by accepting a pay offer that’s below market rates, give meticulous attention to every aspect of the compensation package, especially health care co-payments and other employee benefit costs.

What will it be like to work for this company?

Find out everything you can about the company that’s making you a job offer. Review press releases and search the company’s website to gain a better understanding of its reputation and brand. Consider the reputations of senior leadership, the new boss, co-workers and subordinates. Gauge the company’s commitment to provide job security and opportunities for career growth and promotion. Assess the work environment against your personal values. This is especially important if you like working for small family-oriented companies as opposed to large mega-corporations. Search for the unwritten culture rules that govern work relationships and communication.

Will I enjoy doing the work?

When the compensation package is great and the work environment seems to be ideal, the tendency is to skip over this aspect of the offer; however I caution you to treat this question with the same careful diligence. Take a good look at the job you’re planning to take. Can you see yourself actually doing the work? Consider if it will be interesting and challenging and exciting enough to keep you engaged when little irritations or problem situations occur. Every job should have some aspect of fun, so try to determine if it’s acceptable to have fun on the new job or if fun and camraderie are stifled by too much bureaucracy. Additionally, find out if and how the new boss recognizes employees for their work and ideas, as well as the degree of control you will have over decisions affecting your work.

How will the new job fit in with my personal life?

Life is more than the hours spent at work. Having the freedom and support to integrate what you do at work with who you are when the work day is done, is extremely important in today’s fast-paced world. This means being able to manage your workload through flexible work schedules and arrangements, or controlling the number of hours you spend at work. Consider if the job will require extensive travel or relocation and the impact this may have on your family and you.

Once these key questions have been answered to your satisfaction, go ahead and accept the job offer, commit your work to the LORD and watch your plans succeed (Proverbs 16:3).

 

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