Job Offers

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Job Offers

Congratulations, you’ve done a terrific job with the interviews and now you’ve got a job offer. How do you handle it?

Handling the Job Offer

When a company extends an offer, it should include all of the details: salary, start date, title, benefits, location, travel, etc. If you aren’t totally comfortable with the offer say: “This sounds good and I'm really excited about joining your company. I’ll call you tomorrow to confirm the start date, OK?” Then, call your recruiter and express your concerns – they’ll handle it. If there is any last minute negotiation to be done, it’s more effective if you tacitly accept the job and then ‘iron out the details’ rather than to take the position of negotiating as an outsider.

As a professional, your career decisions must be made objectively, free of emotional pressures. Others may try to influence you, but sometimes only you know things are not right and will not get better.

Handling the Counter-Offer

A counter-offer can be very flattering: your emotions may be swayed. You may lose your objectivity and be tempted to stay. It will seem easier to stay and maintain you comfort level than to take on the challenge of a new position. Remember, whatever conditions prompted you to seek out a new position won’t change in the long run. After the crisis of your imminent departure fades away, so will the promises of change. Typically when a person changes their mind and stays after tendering a resignation, their bosses perception of them changes – they are no longer considered loyal. This has a negative impact on their future chances for advancement. They become the first to be let go in a cut-back or reorganization, or the company immediately begins a confidential search to replace that individual with someone who is perceived to be more loyal and probably less expensive. Will you have to threaten to quit each time you want a raise or promotion? A counter-offer is really a belated confirmation of you hard work. Move ahead to you new job knowing you’ve made the right decision. After all, if you don’t look after your future, who will?

Temple and Associates