Evaluating job offers

Think back to how you answered the questions 'why do you want this job?' and 'what first attracted you to the role?' at your interview. Now consider what you have learnt about the job during your recruitment process.

• Do you understand what you will actually be doing on a day-to-day basis and is it something you will find interesting, enjoyable and stimulating?
• Does the job itself fit with your values and what you know about yourself. Revisit Self reflection in our Plan your career section to recap this.
• Does it feel right? This is a harder question to evaluate using hard evidence but often trusting how you feel about a job is a good element to consider in decision making.

The salary is often the first element you will consider when trying to decide between jobs. While money is important, consider what else you will get from the organisation.

• How much annual leave do you get per year? Is there a bonus scheme? Will they pay for you to relocate or have a company car? What other benefits do you get (e.g. private health care insurance, travel or clothing allowances, subsidised meals, an employee discount scheme, gym membership etc.)
• How much tax will you pay on your salary? Tax rates differ depending on what country you are in but be sure to calculate what your actual take home pay will be.
• How quickly will your salary increase? Do you get an annual pay award? Will you need to show how well you have achieved to get your pay increase or bonus? In public sector jobs this information is easily found online however within the private sector you will need to ask.
• If you are fully or partially based from home, what sort of support is available to help you establish a home office? Pay for the extra power/gas you may be using? Travelling allowances if you do have to travel at any time during your job?

Think about how this job will help you progress to your next job. Most companies offer training for the role that you are being employed to do but what other training opportunities will you get?

• Is there a professional qualification related to the job you are doing? Will the company fund and give you study leave to achieve this?
• Are there opportunities to do other forms of training or study such as a staff development or continuing professional development team where you can get access to extra opportunities?
• Who will you get a chance to network with both inside and outside the company? Can you attend conferences or trade fairs to make new connections in your industry?

Think about the state of health of the prospective employer and/or the industry they work in and think about where this first job will lead you.

• Is the industry expanding or contracting? Are there likely to be more or less jobs in your field in the next two to five years? This is always quite difficult to evaluate so go back to exploring options if you need to.
• Is the company profitable and stable? This may or may not be of a concern to you as you might be applying to start-ups where while there is a risk, there are many exciting other factors that may outweigh this.
• Where might your job lead? What could your next job be, either inside this company or with a new company? And how will this job help you get there? What have other people that have had your job gone on to achieve?

This may not be easy to define however consider how well you think you will fit in with your future team mates and how comfortable you will feel going to work (if your job is based in an office) or how easy it will be to work with your team mates if your job is mainly working from home.

• How approachable and helpful has the company been during the recruitment process you’ve experienced? Have they communicated well with you? How have they managed any questions/problems you have had (if you have had any)? This could give you a good indication as to how the company will deal with communication and challenges if you become an employee.
• Does the company actively do things to help its employees fit in? Is there a planned induction so you can meet and understand the organisation? Are there staff social events? Or other informal ways for you make friends such as online meet and greets, communal tea rooms or lunch areas?
• If you will be going to a workplace, what sort of atmosphere is there in the building? Is it formal or informal? Does that fit with your preferred style? Does the size of the employer suit you? 
• If you will be fully or mostly working from home, how easy will it be to connect with your workmates/manager? Do they have weekly meetings? What other forms of support are available for homeworking?
• What do you think of your prospective colleagues (if you’ve had an opportunity to meet them) – do you think you would fit in? Would you like to go to socialise with those people? Will you have fun working there?

Many employers talk about 'work/life' balance so it’s worth investigating how they actually implement this in their organisations.

• Are there standard office hours or hours you are expected to be logged on? How flexible are the working patterns? Is there any weekend work expected?
• How is overtime compensated? Do you get paid for it? Are you able to take time in lieu (TOIL)? Or is it just expected as part of your contract?
• How often might you need to travel for your job? How will this impact any commitments you have in your life both now and in the future?

Some jobs may be fully remote and don’t require you to attend a place of work at all, however many roles will still need you to visit an office/lab/workshop and for this you may need to relocate to a different town/city/country.

• How much is the cost of living in this new area? Will you salary allow you to live the life you want? To explore different country/city profiles log onto GoinGlobal.
• How often do you need to go into the office and how will you make this journey? Is there public transport and if so, how much will that cost? Will you need a car and are there any parking costs?
• How long will it take you travel to work? Will this impact on your lifestyle?
• How close are you to friends, family and other support networks you have? Who will help you if needed?
• Does the company offer you any support to relocate?