job offer

12 Questions to Ask Before You Take a Job Offer

Paul Michael — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 09:30:28 +0000

A job offer is exciting. It can mean new opportunities, more money, a move to a new city or state, and a big promotion. But wait just a second. Before you hurriedly take that offer and sign your name on the dotted line, you need to ask the following 12 questions. They can be the difference between a good job, a great career, and a position you don't actually want at all. Remember, with a job offer, the ball is in your court. They want you. You hold the power, and you should make sure you get exactly what you want.

1. How Many Vacation, Personal, and Sick Days Do I Get?

You cannot assume you will get the same vacation package you got with a previous employer. In fact, if you are moving to America from another country, you may be in for quite a nasty surprise. For instance, the UK mandates 28 days of paid vacation every year, and this does not include public holidays. There are no such rules in the U.S., and most people are lucky to get 10 paid vacation days per year when starting a new job. So, ask, and see if it's negotiable.

You also want to find out if these allowances increase over time. Some employers will add an additional five paid days after three and five years of continuous employment. Or, paid days off may increase with a promotion. You also want to ask about personal days, which have different conditions than vacation days (personal days may not be allowed to carry over). Is there a maximum amount of days that can be carried over before you stop accruing? These will all be outlined in the contract you sign, but you want clarification long before it is printed up.

2. What's Included in the Benefits Package?

Benefits cost employers a great deal of money, and so they are seen as a big incentive when hiring a new employee. The biggest cost is health insurance, and there will be options there, too. Some employers have a sliding scale of insurance options, including HMO, PPO, EPO, and HAS plans, and all will cost different amounts and have varying degrees of cover. Aside from health insurance, ask about other kinds of insurance, too. Are vision and dental included? Is life insurance included, or long and short-term disability? These options, if offered at no charge to you, can add up considerably to the basic pay package you are being offered. This is why a site like Salary.com will list base salary, and salary plus benefits. The latter can be a lot more. And if there is a bonus, ask about that. How much, what do you have to do to get it, and when is it paid?

3. What's the Parking Situation?

Parking can be a big deal in some cities, especially New York and L.A. If the company has a lot set aside for employee parking, you're usually in great shape. Is the parking offered close to the building, or is it quite a walk? Your personal safety may be an issue here. If you have to find your own parking, things can start getting tricky, and costly. Does the company cover employee parking costs, and if so, how much do they cover? For instance, you may be covered for street parking, but not a covered lot, and if you are worried about hail or other weather conditions, that can be a deal breaker. Does the company have a discount plan on public transportation? This can be a better option for some, as parking and gas money can be too expensive.

4. What Are the Actual Hours?

Depending on the industry in which you work, this can greatly impact your hourly wage. If you are offered a starting salary of $60,000 per year, and work 40 hours per week, you're getting roughly $29/hour. If you work 60 hours per week with no overtime, that drops to less than $20/hour. So, ask for realistic working conditions. If you are going to be stuck in the office nights and weekends, you may want to negotiate your base pay, or ask for additional vacation and personal days. Your hiring manager may paint a very rosy picture of the conditions, so ask people whom you'll be working with. Be informed. You do not want to find out you just quit a $50,000 job working 40 hours per week for a $60,000 job working 60 hours per week.

5. When Am I Expected to Start?

It may seem like a no brainer, but some people get bitten badly by not asking this question before accepting the job. Then, they're in sticky mud when they realize the start date is too far away to make ends meet, or too soon to allow relocation, or finishing up a position at another firm. Although most employers will give you two weeks, it's possible you need more time than that to get your affairs in order. If you're moving across the country (or from another country), it can take months to find a new place and get situated. On the other hand, it may be that the position needs to be filled immediately, and your contract with your current employer demands two weeks' notice. Whatever the conditions, you need to know the start date. You can always negotiate coming in later, or earlier, or it may be that you cannot accept the job at all based on the start date offered. You do not want to find this out after you have resigned from your current position.

6. What Are the Promotion Opportunities?

In a fantastic episode of The Office (UK), Tim says "It's better to be at the bottom of a ladder you want to climb, than halfway up one you don't." This is very good advice, and something you must keep in mind when you are considering the new job. You may not be happy at your current job, but there may be more promotion opportunities than at the company you're thinking of moving to.

Even worse, you may find out that it is impossible to get promoted out of the department you're applying for. Suddenly, you have gone from climbing a ladder, to hitting a glass ceiling. So, examine the organizational structure (ask for a company org chart if you can). See who is above you, and below you. Find out how quickly you can get promoted if you work hard. It may be that the starting salary is not ideal, but that the opportunities for promotion are excellent. And of course, the reverse may be true… you do not want a job that pays well now, but goes absolutely nowhere.

7. Will There Be Considerable Travel Involved?

For some people, travel is a perk that they cannot wait to take advantage of. For others, travel means valuable time away from family and friends, and the hassle of living out of suitcases and hotels. Wherever you stand on this, you should know beforehand what the travel expectations are. Some jobs will actually list it in the ad (20% travel required). Others will play it by ear, but tell you that some travel each month will be happening.

On the other hand, some will tempt you with travel opportunities, but they are empty promises and you will actually be chained to your desk, year in, year out. Get this knowledge up front. Can you talk to the person you are replacing? What was their specific experience of travel like? If you enjoy traveling on the company dime, and walk away from a job that gives you such a benefit, you want to make sure you are getting it from the new position.

8. Is There a High Turnover Rate Here?

A revolving door is not a good sign, and if people are constantly leaving, that is a sign of systemic issues plaguing the company. Usually, the biggest reason for high turnover is poor working conditions. This could mean very long hours, oppressive management, favoritism, low pay, or the lack or promotion opportunities. The company could also have a history of hiring and firing people on demand for projects. Whatever the reason, high turnover is a huge red flag. The hiring manager may well be reluctant to give you this information, so ask other employees. Or better yet, take a look at Glassdoor.com and see what former employees are saying. If there is a pattern there, especially for harassment or abuse, you know what to avoid.

9. What Is the Onboarding Process Like?

Onboarding is a buzzword term that means "the mechanism through which new employees acquire the necessary knowledge, skills, and behaviors to become effective organizational members and insiders." In short, how long you will be given to get up to speed on the job, the daily duties, and the projects you are given. If they are going to give you extensive training and a grace period, that's worth knowing. If they expect you to hit the ground running, you need to know this beforehand. You do not want to take a job for which you are not yet qualified if they expect instant results. That will show quickly, and you could be laid off after a month or two.

10. What's the Company Culture Like?

Is it a fun place to work? Is there a strict dress code? Is there a great social life outside of the office? Are the hours somewhat flexible, or do you have to be there exactly at 9 a.m., and leave at 5 p.m.? Is lunch a strict one-hour affair, or is there wiggle room? Are there office parties, and gift exchanges? Is the office full of cliques that make it difficult to fit in and make friends? You want to know as much about the culture as you can. You spend more time at the office than you do at home, so it should be a place you enjoy working at.

11. Who Will Be My Supervisor?

A name is just a name if you're new to a company, but you can easily research that person with the availability of information on LinkedIn and social sites. Is it someone who is a go-getter, driven to get results, with high expectations of every team member? Is it someone with a lot of experience that you can learn from, and grow? Is it someone who hates competition, especially from subordinates? Find out who you will be reporting to, because a bad manager is one of the biggest reasons people quit their jobs.

12. Where Will I Be Working?

If you're taking a position as a mechanic, you're working in the garage. But if it's an office job, this could make a big difference for you. Right now, you may have an office, and the new job comes with a cubicle, or a desk in an open plan facility. This could be a deal breaker. Do you have a window? Again, for some people it's not important, but for others, natural light and a view is a must. If you can, ask to see the space and if it's not good enough, ask for something better. You want to get this nailed, possibly in writing, before you start.

What other questions should you ask before taking a job offer? Share with us!

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This article is from Paul Michael of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

4 Unexpected Costs of a Higher-Paying Job Offer

Dan Rafter — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 09:00:12 +0000

You've just been offered a job that will give you a significant boost in salary. It's a given that you should take it, right?

Maybe not.

That's because sometimes a bigger salary isn't enough to overcome the other negatives that come with a new job: Maybe your commute will be longer. Maybe you'll need to put in longer hours. Maybe the work will be more stressful, ultimately making you less happy.

Here are four key factors to consider before deciding to take that more lucrative position:

1. A Long Commute

Nothing can ruin an otherwise perfect new job like a long commute. Just consider the wasted time. The U.S. Census Bureau found that in 2014, it took workers an average of 25.4 minutes to get to work one way. And, yes, that comes out to more than 50 minutes spent in the car each day for the average U.S. worker.

If you log 50 weeks of work for the year, that comes out to more than 200 hours of your life each year spent commuting to and from work. That's a lot of time to spend in the car.

If your new job requires a longer commute than this average — or significantly longer than the one you're already logging — think carefully before accepting it, even if your salary will jump. You'll grow tired of a long commute quickly, even if your bank account is expanding.

2. It Will Damage Your Health

A long commute can also worsen your health. The data isn't the freshest, but a 2010 study from Gallup found that adults who commute more than 90 minutes one way to work were more likely to suffer from obesity, high cholesterol, back pain, and neck pain.

If your work pays you more but is less interesting, that can have a negative impact on your health, too. A 2012 study from Gallup found that 15.5% of U.S. workers who were "actively disengaged" at work reported that they suffered from high levels of stress and worry and lower levels of happiness.

And 27.1% of workers who were both uninterested in their work and had a one-way commute of 45 minutes or more reported the same.

The message is clear: Make sure that you are interested in your new job, especially if your commute is a longer one. If you're not, you might not be happy with your working life, even if you are earning a bigger paycheck.

3. Less Family Time

You might think that your family will appreciate your larger paycheck. Maybe it will help you save more for your children's college education. Or maybe you'll be able to buy a bigger home or take fancier vacations.

And here's an interesting factor: A study published in the March 2015 edition of the Journal of Marriage and Family found that the amount of time parents spend with their children has no real relationship to how successful or happy their children turn out to be. What's more important, according to the study, is the amount of money parents have and their social resources. This would seem to suggest that your higher-paying job — because it funnels more money into your family — would actually be more important than spending more time with your children and spouse.

So you don't necessarily have to feel guilty about spending less time with your children. But — and this is a big but — what if you want to spend more time with your children and spouse? A higher-paying job with a long commute might mean that you have fewer hours to spend with your family each week. And if that is making you, your spouse, or your children unhappy, than maybe your newer, higher-paying job isn't the best choice, no matter what the most recent research shows.

4. You Love Your Current Coworkers

What makes people happy at work? The TINYpulse Engagement Survey published in 2014 found that coworkers are the most important factor for workplace happiness.

The survey found that employee happiness is 23.3% more related to connections with coworkers than it is with interactions with direct supervisors. In other words, if you like your cubicle mates, you'll be happier at work.

So if you enjoy taking lunch twice a week with Matt from accounting, you might want to think twice before giving that up to take a new job. Sure, you'll find new co-workers wherever you work. But what if those new co-workers aren't as friendly as Kathy from human resources or Joe from IT? You might find yourself less satisfied while at work.

Have you ever turned down a higher-paying job? Why or why not?

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This article is from Dan Rafter of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

The 10 Things You Need to Do If You Want to Quit Your Job

Christa Avampato — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 11:00:03 +0000

Recent data shows that Americans stay at a single job for an average of 4.6 years. If a career lasts 40 years, that means we're destined for roughly 10 job changes, so you better get good at saying goodbye.

Leaving with grace is imperative to build your network, and you never know how your path will cross with former colleagues, because again, everyone's constantly shifting around!

Here are 10 things you should do to leave a job on a high note.

During the Job Search

The key here, obviously, is to keep your job search activities on the down low. You may not find your next position for months. Meanwhile, you owe it to your current employer (and yourself!), to maintain your professionalism and productivity throughout.

1. Do Your Research

Be diligent about researching potential jobs and companies, so you don't waste time applying for jobs that won't work for you in the long run. You will only have limited time to apply and interview since you have a job already, so you don't want to waste it on companies and roles that you could have ruled out with a bit of research.

2. Get Out Your Personal Calendar

Whenever possible, schedule your job search time on your personal calendar to maintain focus, much less get caught on search sites like Indeed and The Ladders. You never know how your computer is being monitored by your company or who may drop by your desk unexpectedly. Plus, you're being paid by your current employer to do your work, not find a new job. Job search on your time, not theirs. When you begin to book interviews, use vacation time or personal days if possible.

3. Tap Your Networks With Care

Networking is great, but be cautious about using any methods that might alert your current employer to your search.

Checking the box on LinkedIn that you're interested in learning about new opportunities is safe because it's ambiguous, below the fold on your profile, and every profile I've ever seen has it checked.
Posting on Twitter that you're looking for a new job is much too conspicuous because Twitter is a very public platform.
Posting on Facebook could be safe provided that none of your current colleagues are your friends and you post only to friends, not to the general public.

In short, exercise caution about tapping networks and when you do so make sure to only use connections whom you truly trust to keep your confidence.

4. Grab Your Portfolio Now

Before you even have an offer, decide which pieces of your portfolio you can and want to take with you when you leave. Capture them either electronically or in hard copy now before the pressure's on to do so. Also, once you give notice, some companies may lock you out of your accounts and prevent access to what you've created. And if you've signed an NDA or go work for a competitor, you may be required to leave your current employer as soon as you give notice.

5. Read Your Employee Handbook

Know your HR policies. Do you have to give a minimum amount of notice? Did you sign an NDA on non-compete agreement? Are there any restrictions on stock options or awards you've received? This is all valuable and necessary data to have as you look for new opportunities.

Accepting an Offer and Giving Notice

Your search went well and you've landed an offer for the new gig. What's next?

1. Respond to the Offer

Thank the prospective employer for the offer and ask any questions you may have including how long you have to make a decision and a potential start date.

Don't accept on the spot: You may want to consider negotiating with the employer on salary, vacation time, benefits, start date, etc., and you'll want to get the complete offer in writing. The last thing you want is to have an offer rescinded or have it turn out to be different than what was promised. Asking an employer to put an offer in writing eliminates a good deal of that risk. You should also accept in writing and have an agreed upon start date before putting together your resignation letter.

2. Resign Gracefully

Once you decide to accept the new job, give notice to your current supervisor verbally and in writing, preferably at the same time. Keep the letter simple. Give them an end date and thank them for the opportunity you've had in your current role.

Verbally, you can provide a bit more detail. When you speak to your supervisor, be honest about where you're going and why. But leave the emotion out of it and stick to the facts. It may be tempting to point out every unpleasant aspect of your current job, particularly if you've been unhappy for a while and have raised these issues with your supervisor only to have them fall on deaf ears. Instead, highlight why this new role at a new company is a good fit for you. And you never know; perhaps now that you've given notice your existing employer will make you a counteroffer that's worth your consideration.

3. Tell Your Team

Now that you've talked to your supervisor, it's time to tell your team. Make sure you stick to the same reasoning that you gave your supervisor. Don't go into intense detail with colleagues about the negative aspects of your job that drove you out the door. You don't want your departure to take on any scandalous aspects, nor do you want that information to get back to your supervisor. Save the gossip and emotion for your friends at happy hour!

4. Don't Throw In the Towel

Prior to your departure, don't slack off on the job. Continue to uphold your responsibility, work on a transition plan with your supervisor, and leave detailed notes on your current projects for the team members who will take over your projects. No sabotage!

5. Connect With Colleagues

Connecting with your colleagues through in-person meetings and online on sites such as LinkedIn is as critical as capturing your portfolio items. These connections, when forged authentically, will serve you well down the line in your personal and professional life. I've made some of the best friends of my life through my jobs. When I left my last corporate job prior to starting my own business, I was shocked by how inspired my colleagues were by my choice. It was the best ending I could have asked for and they have continued to be an incredible part of my life!

The most important things to focus on when you leave a job are integrity, integrity, and integrity. Maintain your dignity during the search process and in the way you transition out of your job. It will pay off many times over. People may not remember everything you did while they worked with you, but they will always remember how you left.

How have you gracefully left one job for another? Please share your experience in comments!

This article is from Christa Avampato of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Don't Hire Without a Background Check

Barbara Weltman — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 01:44:39 +0000

Link:

http://www.openforum.com/idea-hub/topics/managing/article/dont-hire-without-a-ba...

The recent federal unemployment report shows that more companies are now hiring. If you are in the market for a new employee, make sure that you take certain actions before you finalize a job offer. Hasty hiring can result in employing someone who turns out to be an unqualified worker or, even worse, can lead to lawsuits and other costly headaches.

Take Nothing for Granted

Job applicants lie. At least that’s what the ADP’s 2009 Hiring Index revealed from 1.7 million background checks performed. Forty-six percent of applicants had discrepancies in their employment, education, and/or credential reference checks. Thirty-seven percent of applicants’ driving records had one or more violations or convictions, and six percent had a criminal record within the last seven years.

Don’t take anything at face value, regardless of the job level or the applicant’s demeanor. You may recall that Don Edmondson, the CEO of Radio Shack, Ronald Zarrella, CEO of Bausch & Lomb, and Marilee Jones, the admissions dean at MIT, were all forced to resign their positions when it was discovered that their degree claims were bogus. Even if applicants don’t fabricate their claims, they often exaggerate; this is called “resume padding.” They may claim responsibility for managing more people than they actually oversaw, or they may say their efforts were the primary reason for sales growth. Some may omit key information, such as clues about their age or a job firing, to portray themselves in a better light.

Determine the Scope of the Background Check

How thorough a background check do you need to do? It depends on the job. For example, for anyone who will be driving a company vehicle or driving for company business, a check of the applicant's driving record is essential. It is now known that the driver of the tour bus that crashed in March 2011, killing 15 people, had been ticketed in 1995 for speeding and twice for driving without a license. Liability for “wrongful hiring” will likely be placed with the bus company.

It is becoming increasingly common for employers to do credit checks on applicants, on the belief that a solid credit history evidences a responsible person. Some states, such as Illinois, Oregon, and Washington, allow the use of credit checks only if they are relevant to the applicant’s job. Under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), in all cases you must obtain an applicant’s permission to run a credit check.

Background checks can include not only education, driving records, and credit history, but also:

Criminal records;
Medical records;
Military records;
Past employment;
Professional licenses;
Sex offender registry;
Workers compensation history.

Reference Checks

It’s always a good idea to check an applicant’s references, but be aware that the information you’ll receive likely is limited. Most former employers will only verify the dates of employment, compensation, job title, and other bits of fact. They won’t say how the applicant performed on the job, whether there were any particular problems or issues, and whether they would recommend the person for the pending position. Why? Former employers are afraid of retaliatory lawsuits for giving poor references.

How to Do a Background Check

The first and easiest way to check resume claims is to review an applicant’s personal postings on social media sites. Facebook has become the go-to place for employers to see what applicants say about themselves. If there are any discrepancies with the information on the resume, it may be advisable not to make a job offer, no matter how attractive the applicant had appeared to be.

After determining the scope of the check you want, use a company that can perform the check for you. The cost varies with the scope of the check, but the cost is reasonable compared with the legal exposure you could face if you fail to do the check. Here are some popular resources to help you:

Hiring the wrong person for a job benefits no one. The worker may be unhappy or even be fired. Your company won’t get the work done right and, if you terminate the worker, it could cost you in increased unemployment insurance rates. Or worse, the person can cause injury to your customers, other employees, or the public, leaving you exposed to major lawsuits. Take the time to check things out before you make the job offer.

This article is from Barbara Weltman of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread: