Six factors to consider in a job offer ......

 

When the job market is good, companies are often looking to strengthen their talent pool. If an offer comes your way, that is great news. You are considered a high performing individual in the job market. If you are comfortable in your current job and have no ‘push’ factor to move on, you have a difficult task deciding on the offer. Here’s a checklist of six factors to consider.

Role vs. Designation

It is important to understand what the job is all about. HR heads often talk about employees wanting to come back to their earlier jobs because these employees did not understand their role and made the mistake of moving into roles they were not suited for. Succumbing to the lure of fancy designations is a definite no. Ask the organisation about the role, expectations from that role and then decide whether you can take up the challenge or not.

Career path

So, you like the role, but where is it going to take you two years down the line? Ask your potential employer about the growth prospects. If you want to work across functions, ask whether the organisation is open to such an idea. Ask about the promotion policy of the organisation. On an average, how often are employees given promotions at your level?

Salary

Talking salary hike is one of the most important and sometimes trickiest parts of the job switch. HR heads say it is acceptable to negotiate a salary offer across most levels. A pay hike of 25% to 30% is considered reasonable, but one size does not fit all.  If you are not comfortable with the offer, you can convey that it is not up to the expectations. Do not, however, base your decision to switch jobs solely on the basis of salary offered.

Working hours

Do not underestimate the working hours of your potential workplace. Perhaps your current organisation is not a stickler when it comes to clocking those nine-and-a-half hours. That may not be the case in your next organisation. Giving up a five-day work week may also be difficult because your family may be well-adjusted to that. So, be clear what you are getting into. Also, ask about the leave policy before you join.

Development programmes

Re-skilling is a necessity of modern careers. If you are an engineer, you may want to acquire that coveted MBA. Or may be your job requires you to learn a new technology. You may also have plans of joining a course in a new skill few months down the line. Ask your organisation whether it helps with such initiatives.

Brand matters

Career choices are governed by our expectations from the career. Do you want to work in a company that gives you the comfort of a big brand, a known name? Or do you want to rough it out in a start-up kind of an environment? Or may be you want to venture into a sector that is growing and offers big challenges. Be clear about the choice you are making.