December 18, 2019

You’ve attended an interview and received a job offer—but it’s your very first one. Part of you is nervous (because what if there are no other offers?) and another part of you is curious (what else is out there?). If you’re feeling stumped about what your next step should be, it’s time to get a little introspective!  

Think about what you want 

It can be very tempting to accept the first offer you receive. But is it the best choice for you? Make a list of things you need from a job, plus a list of things that would be nice, but aren’t a make-or-break in your decision. Think about the following key factors in terms of what would make a job the perfect one for you: 

  • Salary. What do you want to make? It can help to create a range you’d be willing to accept.  
  • Benefits. Things such as health insurance, 401(k), profit sharing, paid time off, flexible scheduling and telecommuting may all be important to you. What benefits does the job offer? 
  • Culture. The people and work environment that surround you can make work great, just OK, or somewhere you don’t want to be. What type of culture do you prefer and how does the job line up? 
  • Work/life balance. Your time outside of work is just as important to your well-being as the time you spend inside the office. What are you willing to sacrifice for a job? This could include working weekends and holidays, being on call while you’re not at work, and long hours.  
  • Opportunities for growth. Depending on where you are in your career, you may want to work for a company that gives plenty of ways to grow and advance. If you’re later on in your career,  a comfortable position that simply feels stable may be enough. It’s all in what you need from your job.  

How badly do you need a job? 

If you’ve been out of work for a while and really need to increase your cash flow right away, it may be a good idea to take the job (even if you may be looking for a new one in a year or so). If the company is an amazing opportunity, allowing for valuable experience or the chance to work for a reputable, ever-growing business—you may also want to say yes. But if not, declining the offer to wait for your next one may not be a bad choice, either. It all depends on what you want and need from your job, how confident you are in other opportunities, and whether or not you have time to make a decision.  

Inter-Connect can help 

If you want to line up additional job offers, let Inter-Connect help! We place qualified professionals with office/administrative and light industrial jobs. To learn more, contact us today!  

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