5 Things to Look for in an IT Job Offer
Posted November 5th, 2014
In your pursuit of a new job, it can be tempting to jump at the first offer you receive. This kind of haste, however, is almost always a mistake. Unless you carefully scrutinize the offer and look for several key details, you may be agreeing to take a position that doesn’t adequately value your skills and experiences. These are the five things to focus on in any job offer you receive:
Present and Future Pay
Lots of people focus on their starting salary, but make sure you don’t forget to consider how frequently and substantially it will grow. Make sure that the amount of compensation you receive initially is on par with other professionals doing the same job in other parts of the country. Then find out when you will be up for your first pay review and how raises are calculated. You want to make sure your pay keeps pace with the larger industry trends.
Setting
Before accepting any offer, make sure you get a tour of the whole office, and ask to see your specific workstation. If you accept an offer without first considering where you will be spending eight hours a day, you might end up working in an environment you simply can’t stand. Make sure to factor in your commute as well.
Co-workers
No matter how prestigious a job is or how ample the compensation, it you don’t get along with the people you work with, you will quickly grow unsatisfied. Consider the other members of you team, your direct superiors, and the people below you – if you have supervisory responsibilities. Can you imagine yourself thriving in their midst?
Advancement Opportunities
Your mission, ultimately, is to either move up the ladder, or to leverage your current position into something better at another company. Before you accept any job offer, find out how quickly you will be considered for a promotion and whether the company has a history of hiring from within. You should also determine whether the skills and experiences you learn on the job will further your career prospects.
Details
Job offers contain a lot of details, many buried in fine print and jargon. Carefully scrutinize the whole offer, and make sure that the sum of its parts adds to what your recruiter promised you verbally. Important elements to consider include vacation time, exact salary, medical benefits, start date, management structure, and office location. If you notice any discrepancies, don’t hesitate to mention them.
Your goal isn’t to find just any job, it’s to find the best job for you, your family, and your future. Work with the employment facilitators at Bayside Solutions to find more resources designed to connect you with success.
