5 Things You Should Know About a Company Before You Accept Their Offer

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Guest Post

You’ve just received a phone call offering you a job. After the initial euphoria wears off – after all, you were chosen from a select few for a very competitive position – you realize you have some serious thinking to do before you actually accept the job.

In an economy where jobs are often scarce, turning down a job might seem inconceivable, but you should consider several make or break factors before saying “yes” to a new employer.

What do employees think of the company?

Employees – whether current or former – talk. Knowing what kind of company culture to expect is important, and it will require a little bit of work on your part to find out about that culture, unless you already know people who work there.

Start by asking the person hiring you about the company culture. Some companies, for example, have dress down Fridays, indoor golf tournaments, birthday celebrations the first Friday of every month, and little things that make working at a company a little more fun.

You might also want to check what people are saying online about working for the company. Just remember, however, to take everything with a grain of salt.

You may read things from a disgruntled employee, but if you start to see a pattern of negative comments emerge from former employees or the media, you might want to dig a little deeper to see if the company is the right place for you.

What kind of room for advancement does the company offer?

Most people don’t accept a position within a company expecting to stay in that position. Find out how the company operates. Does it typically promote people from within the company to fill open positions, or does it look to outside talent?

With room for advancement comes salary increases. How does the company handle salary increases? How often can you expect a performance review and a raise?

Does the company offer flexible work hours?

Many employees – from parents to students – need flexibility with their jobs. Some companies offer that flexibility while others do not. If you must have flexibility, discuss that with human resources before you accept the job.

Telecommuting, sometimes even just part time, has now become acceptable within many companies. Find out whether telecommuting may be available at some point, if that’s something in which you are interested.

What kind of health and dental insurance plans does the company offer?

Despite the push for universal health coverage in America, the fact remains that many Americans do not have any kind of health insurance. With the high cost of healthcare, health insurance is often an important consideration when accepting or declining a job, especially if the candidate is not covered under a spouse’s health insurance plan.

If the company offers health insurance, ask questions to find out how it works: What is the monthly premium you must pay? How much, if any, does the company pay on your behalf? What types of polices are available? Does the company offer dental insurance? Be sure to ask specific questions, so you know what to expect if you accept the job offer.

What kind of benefits does the company offer?

A good benefits package is often an important part of a job offer, so ask for as much information on benefits as you can. How many vacation and sick days will you receive each year? How will you earn extra vacation time throughout your time with the company? Does the company offer family and maternity leave? If so, how much time does it allow for you to take off?

You can offer the hiring company your skills and experience, but make sure you find out what the company can offer you in return. Ask plenty of questions to find out what you can expect from the company once you join its ranks.

This is a guest post by Frankie Eybsen. Frankie is a career and marketing blogger.  He helps students with their college search and future job prospects as well.

Photo Courtesy Of TerraNik

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