Black Collegian Career Center

Congratulations! You have made it through your interviews and now you are about to make the most important decision of your life. Each individual job seeker approaches the job search in unique ways, so too will each one of you use your personal approach to accepting a job offer. Because your job choice can have lasting effects on your career, it is important that you take the time to thoroughly research and evaluate the various opportunities that have long-term relevance to your career interest. Carefully evaluate your job offer on the basis of how well the position or organization meets your needs.

Multiple Job Offers - Perhaps you were fortunate enough to receive offers from more than one employer. You will experience both excitement and anxiety because the more jobs you have to choose from, the more difficult the decision. When turning down offers, be sure to write a short thank you note to express that you were impressed with the people and the company, but after considering your goals, you have decided to accept an offer from another company. Do not “burn your bridges.” It is advisable to remain on good terms with these companies or organizations. You may be interested in one of them later in your career if the opportunity presents itself. Follow–up with a personal telephone call.

In the letter to decline the job offer, you should do the following:

• Express a reason for declining the offer. (Optional)
• Thank those involved in the hiring process.
• Indicate the type of employment you are seeking.
• Be brief and to the point.
• Thank the company for their consideration.
• Close on a positive note.

There is no right or wrong way to determine whether to accept a job offer; however, your decision should reflect your priorities. Here are some key points to consider:

1. Do you know enough about the company's offer? Are there unanswered questions?
2. Have you negotiated all of the issues that you have about the offer?
3. Can you change any part of the offer?
4. Have you checked your list of wants against the company's offer?

Consider the following factors and rank them in the order that they are important to you:

1. Corporate Culture - This is a shared set of attitudes, values, and goals that characterize a company or organization and should be considered when accepting a job offer. Be sure that your values fall in line with those of the company that you choose. For example, if you value your time, a company that expects you to work long hours may not be for you.
2. Salary – How often is the pay reviewed? Are there pay bonuses? How is pay reviewed? Is there profit sharing or commissions? Salary is your most important consideration, but do not accept the offer on salary alone. Oftentimes, it does not give you the most satisfaction. People working only for money tend to become unhappy once the newness of the position wears off. You can get information on salaries from salary surveys in your career center. Some companies will give a sign-on bonus to be paid in cash on the date you start or a performance bonus to be paid after 30, 60, or 90 days of your employment assuming that your goals are met. Establish a low end of the salary scale that you will accept by researching what the salaries are in your market. When asked, provide a salary range and not your exact salary and state that you are open for negotiation. However, do not negotiate a range of salary until the offer has been made. Some salaries are non-negotiable, especially in the non-profit and public sectors.
3. Benefits – When looking at the benefits that are offered, consider sick leave, vacation, medical coverage, life insurance, holidays, retirement plans, flex time, childcare needs, stock options, pension plan, or dental plan. What is the employees contribution to these plans? Not every company will have all of these benefits. Decide on what will be best for you and your future.
4. Location - Is the job close to where you would like to live? What mode of transportation is available and what is the cost of commuting? Is the job near shops and restaurants? If the job is in another section of the country, consider the cost of living and the availability of housing and whether the company is willing to pay for your relocation.
5. Nature of the Work – You can like all other aspects of the job, but dislike what you do on a daily basis. What will be your role and will it be challenging to you? Can you be enthusiastic about this job? Does your position fit into your career goals and will it allow you to further your education? Will you have to travel and are you required to join a union?
6. Professional Development Opportunities – Does the company have an entry-level training program? Are there any proficiency or medical tests you must pass? Will the job allow for tuition reimbursement? What opportunities are available for career growth? Are there training programs within the company that will prepare you for advancement?
7. Work Environment – Is the environment clean and safe? Are the work areas well organized? Are your co-workers friendly, and will you be comfortable working with them? What size is the company? What is the dress code?
8. Work – Life Balance – What are the working hours and is overtime required? Does the position require travel? Are health club services available? Do you have to pay for your parking? Are flexible schedules available? Are you near social opportunities?
9. Prestige of the Company – Is the company well known or a leader in its industry? Is the company competitive with others in the industry? How many employees does the company have? How is the company perceived in the community? Is the company nationally or internationally known? Has the company experienced downsizing or reorganization? Does this company have long-term prospects? How rapidly is the company growing? Consider the organizations business or activity, financial condition, age, size and location. You can get information on an organization, such as the annual report, by telephoning its public relations office. You may go to the library and look up the company or organization in the following directories:

   • Standard and Poors Register of Corporations
   • Dun & Bradstreets Million Dollar Directory
   • Moodys Industrial Manual
   • Thomas Register of American Manufacturers
   • Wards Business Directory

10. Company's Values – Does the company contribute to the community? Does it have a volunteer program? Does the company promote from within? Does the company have a professional code of conduct and is it committed to a diverse workforce?
11. Work hours – A regular workweek is forty hours. Are you comfortable with these hours? Will you work from 8-5 or is there flextime? Will you have to work at night, on weekends or holidays? Will you have to work overtime? How will this affect your personal life?
12. Advancement Opportunities – Is there a probationary period? Are there opportunities to learn new skills or to rise to better management positions with more responsibilities? How long do most people who enter this job stay with the company?
13. Large or Small Company – Can you work in a large company or are you more comfortable in a small one? Large companies have greater chances for advancements and may have more advanced technologies. Large companies offer a greater variety of training programs and career paths and may be highly specialized. Jobs in small firms may offer greater chances for more authority and responsibility and closer working relationships. You will be able to see your contributions and their effects on the organizations success.
14. Prestige of the Job – How important is your job in the company? Where do you fit in the organization and how will you contribute to its overall objectives? Will you have a part in goal setting? Where will you be closest to the center of the decision-making process?

On the Financial Side – Before you accept an offer, consider your finances. Will the salary and benefits help you to meet your financial needs? Sit down and make a realistic budget and include taxes, investments, savings, life insurance (life insurance is inexpensive if purchased while young), disability insurance, retirement, major purchases, school loans and entertainment. During your decision-making process, don't be distracted from your long-term professional goals. Think about how this company can help you achieve them.

Accepting the Offer – When you interviewed with the company recruiter, he or she may have made many positive remarks about your qualifications, such as your resume is impressive or that you are suited for a position. These are all good comments, but an offer was not extended. Recruiters know all the buzzwords that people like to hear. Do not “jump the gun.” Companies have policies about extending offers and each company makes hiring decisions differently, in person, or over the phone. So that there is no misunderstanding, get the offer in writing and be sure that you understand everything about it.

If you do not have another offer pending and this one is good, do not delay in accepting. However, companies do not want you to start work for them and then you are gone in a few months. Before you accept, you are in a good position to bargain for salary and benefits, but you lose this power once you take the position. Companies like enthusiastic employees, but don't get too excited about the salary simply because it is more money than you have made before. If you have questions about any aspects of the offer, clarify them before accepting. You will never know everything about the company; therefore, you must do some research of your own. The more you find out about the job before you accept the offer, the more likely you will make the right choice.

When you are given an offer, you are given a date by which to respond. Respond to the employer on the given date and if you need more time to explore other possibilities, ask for an extension. Contact the employer at least two weeks ahead of time by phone. You can suggest a date and do call on that date. It makes sense to accept or reject the job within a day or two. You do not want to appear indecisive or be perceived to be less than enthusiastic. If you must respond in writing, do not delay in sending your letter. The letter should be short and to the point with a positive tone. Indicate how much you look forward to joining the company. You will make a number of changes during your career because no one job will provide all that you would like to have as the ideal position. It is important to be committed to performing your best as you grow professionally and as your responsibilities change. You will see that each challenge can be rewarding to you.

An offer needs to include these three components before it can be considered:

• Your position title;
• Your starting salary; and
• Your starting date.

If everything is satisfactory about the position, accept the offer. Respond to your offer in writing.

In your Letter of Acceptance you should do the following:

• Accept the terms of the employers offer.
• Reiterate the terms of the employment agreement.
• Give a specific starting date.
• Indicate confidence in your ability to do the work.
• Express the willingness to complete preparations before the starting date.
• Provide any additional information required by the employer.
• Express some favorable aspects of the company.
• Thank those involved in the hiring process.
• Express enthusiasm for the job.

Ultimately, your goal is to find a job that you will like, one that is both challenging and satisfying. When you have done all of your research, the best feeling you will have about any job is that you made the right choice.

Vivian Wrenn David is Director of the Hampton University Career Center. She has been employed at Hampton for 33 years.