Questions To Consider Before Accepting A New Position
After what seemed to be an endless amount of applications, cover letters, and interviews, your hard work has finally paid off and you’ve been extended an offer for a new position. You’ve done your research on this potential employer, any questions you had for them have been answered, and the hiring team agrees -- you would make a great addition to the organization. Still, you’re not completely sold on the new position and are wary of accepting a job that you are not completely satisfied with.
Research shows working a job you are not satisfied with can lead to lower productivity, more mistakes being made in the workplace, and an overall lower level of motivation. To avoid these negative possibilities, take a look at the following questions to help you decide whether or not this new role is right for you.
Will you be a good fit in the company’s culture?
Throughout the hiring process with a new company, it's likely that you either discussed or picked up on the company's culture -- what their core values and beliefs are, how employees are treated, how important decisions are made, etc. However, it’s not enough to just understand and take note of these matters, but you must determine whether or not you could truly see yourself as a part of it.
Simple ways to determine whether or not you would make a good fit in the company’s culture is to recall the hiring process and to establish a clear understanding of the company’s reputation. Did you feel comfortable throughout your interviews and discussions or did you feel pressured to meet expectations and answer questions with what the interviewer wanted to hear? Would you feel satisfied in a job if this were the case every day? Next, skim through the company’s social media to gauge how clients or customers are treated or use sites like Glassdoor that allow past, present, and potential employees to write reviews and discuss the company in detail. Here, you may be able to get a more meaningful grasp on the company’s culture and determine whether or not you would be able to assimilate.
How will this job aid in your professional development?
Every opportunity you take in your career should have a positive effect on your professional development. This doesn't necessarily mean each job should merely be a stepping stone for your next move, but ideally you should be learning and making connections in each position you hold, as well as having the option for advancement. Before committing to the offer, evaluate whether or not these professional development points will be possible in this new role.
How will you measure success in this role?
Everyone has their own personal definition of success which can differ depending on his or her respective field and position. What one person defines as success may be different from the next. Before accepting a new role, it’s important to understand what success looks like to you and how it can be measured. Making a plan of what long-term and short-term goals you would like to achieve in a new position can help you visualize whether or not meeting these goals in a new position is realistic. Making a certain number of sales within a certain timeframe, working with a certain number of clients, and being recognized for your accomplishments can all be starting points for establishing predetermined goals and measuring your success.
Is the commute or demand for remote work possible?
When a job looks good on paper, it can be easy to overlook the logistics of the role. While a long commute to your “dream” job may not seem like a dealbreaker at first, overtime, it can begin to take a toll on productivity and your overall well-being.
If the job in question is fully remote or has the option for remote work, it is also important to consider whether or not it’s possible for you to do this. If you do not have experience working remotely, how will you go about developing the necessary skills that are needed to complete remote work? Do you have a dedicated space and the appropriate equipment to work remotely or will you be able to successfully acquire it if needed? While remote work may seem appealing at first, consider whether or not this is something you would like to do for the entirety of this position.
Do the pay and benefits align with what you are looking for?
Your salary and the benefits you receive through your employer can be crucial to your job satisfaction. Before accepting a new position, it's important to have a clear understanding of what you should be receiving and what you will actually be receiving if you accept the given offer. Even if your salary or benefits package are both flexible right now, it’s important to take into account what will happen if your circumstances change. Will it be possible to negotiate any changes and if so, would you feel comfortable doing this? If you're unable to discuss these aspects with your current employer before accepting a job, it may only get harder down the road.
Accepting a new job and making a positive change in your career should be an exciting time. If you’ve found yourself hesitant to confidently answer any of these questions or overwhelmed with the hiring process, Nexus is here to help. Contact a recruiter today and receive a personalized recruitment plan to find your next position.