Important Things to Consider Before Saying Yes to a Job Offer

In this guide, Mock Questions discusses the most important things you should contemplate before accepting a job offer. We also provide a series of discovery questions to ask the hiring manager. This guide includes two email scripts - one for accepting a job offer and one for declining a job offer.

What to Consider Before Accepting a Job Offer

When interviewing for new work, it's easy to get wrapped up in emotions. You're probably busy meeting different people and envisioning yourself working in a new role, company, or even industry. You may have even imagined the life you will build once you are offered this new opportunity.

Your enthusiasm is terrific, and it'll shine through in your interviews, which any interviewer will be happy to see. Amid this excitement, it's important to still think critically about the opportunity in front of you. Try analyzing what an actual day, week, month, and year will look like in the position.

Here are a few points to consider:

Before accepting a job offer, you should be 100% sure that the expected hours align with the non-negotiable needs of your personal life. For instance, if your child finishes school at 3:30 PM and you do not have access to an after-school program, think about asking for flexibility in the work schedule before signing the offer.

Discovery Question to Ask: Are there set hours for this position, or is the workday flexible?

If you are expected to be physically present every day, weigh your travel time and its value. If you say you don't mind commuting 60 minutes each way, think about how you will feel about 10 hours of weekly travel time once you receive your post-tax paycheck. Be honest with yourself if the travel efforts feel balanced. If they do not, consider negotiating a partial work-from-home situation before you sign the job offer.

Discovery Question to Ask: Are there any expectations related to overnight travel?

Think about the small things, including the work wardrobe you'll be expected to wear and whether you'll be asked to check your phone and email in the evenings, weekends, or on your days off. If you will be working in an office setting, is the setup conducive to how you like to work, and will the office design allow you to be the most productive?

Discovery Question to Ask: What does an average day look like in this role?

Ask yourself if you think you'll enjoy the co-workers, clients, and other stakeholders you'll be asked to communicate with regularly. Take note of the language you've already seen used when speaking with the hiring manager, leadership team, and co-workers.

Note: If the team members use terms like "I need you to"¦" or "We always expect that"¦," this type of language could indicate a demanding, inflexible work environment.

Discovery Question to Ask: How would you describe the company culture?

Your Compensation: Salary, Insurance, Benefits & Perks

The salary, insurance plan, benefits, and other perks should cover your needs now and if your situation should change or an emergency arises. For instance, if you are young and newer to your career, it might be easy to breeze over the health and dental insurance offerings. However, personal situations can change, and you should be comfortably covered, regardless of your current health or dental needs.

Guide: How to Discuss Salary in a Job Interview

If you are currently working, take the time to objectively measure this new opportunity and its entire offering against your current situation. If you are presently unemployed, think about the areas where you are willing to make sacrifices and be ready to ask for what you genuinely need.

What to Ask Before Accepting a Job Offer

Before accepting a job offer, be sure that you fully understand the scope of the job, work environment, the team you'll be working with, and the overall compensation package.

You can gain this understanding by asking the right questions during your job interviews. Here are a few discovery questions to get you started:

Questions to ask about your role and expectations:

• What will be the expectations placed on me when I first start in this role?
• How will my success be measured for the first 3 months?
• What accountabilities will I be focused on in the first 3, 6, 9, 12 months?

Questions to ask about the work environment:

• How does the company encourage a healthy team/work environment?
• May I see the company's full diversity and inclusion statement/plan?
• What is the average tenure of employees in this role/company?

Questions to ask about the leadership team and co-workers:

• Who would I be reporting to, and how would you describe their leadership/management style?
• Before my start date, may I meet the people I will be working closely with?
• How would you describe the dynamics of the team I will be joining?

Questions to ask about your compensation plan:

• Is the salary negotiable? If not, when can we re-discuss my compensation?
• Does the company offer additional compensation options such as dental insurance, 401K, or education assistance?
• Will I be eligible for health insurance immediately, or is there a 3-month waiting period?

For more ideas on questions to ask before accepting a job offer and what to look for in a response, visit this MockQuestions' Q&A set: Ask the Interviewer.

How to Say Yes to a Job Offer

Typically, you will receive a verbal job offer with the promise of an email follow-up outlining the terms. Although it's a fantastic experience to be offered a new job, it's important to show enthusiasm without committing to the job before you've combed through the details of the offer.

If a hiring manager or recruiter calls you with the great news, try saying, "Thank you for the exciting news! I look forward to reviewing the details of the offer."

Once you've reviewed the offer, asked all of your questions, and completed your due diligence, it's a good idea to accept the job offer in writing, typically via email. You can say something like this:

How to Say No to a Job Offer

After all of your due diligence, if you have discovered the job isn't for you - that's okay! Companies hear 'no' to job offers from time to time. The news might disappoint them, but the most important thing is that you are true to yourself. You should always avoid accepting a job offer out of obligation or guilt.

Here is how to turn down a job offer without damaging relationships along the way:

Are you looking for more email scripts? We have you covered!

Template: Ask Your Network for Job Leads

Template: Post-Interview Thank-You Note

In Conclusion

Receiving a job offer is a thrilling time. You should congratulate yourself on a job well done through the interview process!

When reviewing a job offer, the most crucial factor is that you are happy with your career movement and make the choice that is best for your needs.

Are you ready to learn more discovery questions to ask your interviewer? We have a guide just for you: Ask the Interviewer: Questions That Are Sure to Impress.

We also have a guide for candidates seeking home-based or remote positions: Ask the Interviewer: Work From Home Edition.