Navigating the interview process can be very confusing and intimidating. Then you make it to the offer process, and you finally feel like you can exhale. But can you? Do you know how to navigate the offer process and what questions you should and shouldn’t ask? Are you prepared to ask for more money or flexibility with your work schedule?
I recently spoke with Lauretta, who provides insight into what she wishes she knew and what she learned about navigating the offer process.
1. What’s one thing you wish you had known about the offer process?
One thing I wish I had known and still perfecting is the art of negotiation. Everything is negotiable, so asking for what I want using practical examples would have helped me tremendously in the negotiation process. If a company does not want to increase your pay, maybe, there may be room to negotiate sick-time or 4-10-hour workdays.
2. When deciding on accepting a new job, what are the key things you look for in an offer?
The most important thing is the work environment and workplace culture. I can usually tell the work environment by the language and tone used during the interview. Work environment and culture are important because they can negatively affect your work if you can’t adapt. Another attribute I look for is organization. Is the company organized? I can give ample examples of businesses I have worked at where it was dysfunctional and unorganized; I just had to step away.
Thank you for sharing, as this could be extremely hard for some job seekers with realizing that the culture doesn’t suit their work style.
I believe in balance, especially around mental health, with how certain work environments can negatively impact one’s mental state. Job seekers need to know what work environments where they can be the most successful in.
3. Have you ever had to counter a job offer? If so, was there anything scary about the process, and how did you overcome it?
Yes, recently. I failed in the grand scheme of things. I asked for an increase, and they came back with an increase of lower than my initial ask. It was a cool experience, however. I am studying and finding effective ways to be more successful in the future.
4. Do you have a passion for this job? Does this impact how you evaluate job offers?
Yes, the saying is true; if something is truly a passion, you’ll be willing to do it for free. Though my asking price was denied, I knew that the offer that was given was relatively fair. Looking at the bigger picture and the job’s scope, I know that I will be “paid” and fulfilled in other ways such as professional development, mentoring, and so much more. It is not always about money, not for me.
Yes, that’s really important with looking at other factors outside of the money. One of the biggest mistakes I made was accepting a job due to the money with not looking at the complete picture and what that would mean saying goodbye, balancing working longer hours, and not having much free time even to enjoy the money.
5. Lastly, what advice would you give to others who have an offer to evaluate?
As previously stated, everything is negotiable. If your asking salary cannot be matched, negotiate other parts of your job. Remember, when interviewing, you are interviewing in the company as much as they are interviewing you. If your gut tells you to wait on the next opportunity, don’t rush; wait because there is always a better offer ahead.
I love this advice as sometimes, if you’re desperate, you will overlook the red flags or that inner voice that may be telling you this is not the job for you.
Thanks, Lauretta, for sharing your insight! I’m sure a lot of job seekers will find this very helpful with their search.
Tiffany
