How to Evaluate a Job Offer

The drive for your next job may make you feel like you have to take the first opportunity that arises. Many professionals make the mistake of accepting the first job offer, leaving behind other opportunities that might arise with greater patience. You need to evaluate a job offer on a number of factors before you make such an important decision.

Instructions

Analyze Pros and Cons of Job Offers

1. Outline your financial needs on a monthly basis in order to determine whether your potential salary is sufficient. Many young professionals evaluate each job offer based on an assessment of their minimum financial needs. You should allow for at least 25 percent of your salary to go into savings or emergency funds.

2. Read through benefits packets and handouts to determine whether your benefits apply to spouses, children or relatives. Most companies will send out health, dental and vision insurance information from their preferred providers to entice applicants to accept jobs. You should evaluate the monthly premium and maximum lifetime coverage amount as part of a job offer.

3. Trace your career arc to determine how a job offer fits into your long-term career plans. You should create a straight line on a piece of paper, list each job title and place job responsibilities under each title. This tangible measure allows you to place each job offer in context with your entire career.

4. Request information from a potential employer about travel or relocation requirements as part of a job offer. Positions in sales, insurance or the travel industry often require significant travel along a particular route. You should ask your contact whether relocation is a possibility in the near future.

5. Watch the share value and financial assessments of an employing company to determine its long-term health. Some companies provide stock options or profit sharing based on the strength of their shares on the general market. You should trace the growth or decline of shares over several months to get a better overview.

6. Assess the fringe benefits you would receive as an employee of each company. Your choice between two similar jobs might be swayed by a new fitness center, a deep discount with a local auto-service shop or tuition reimbursement.

Tips & Warnings

• Acknowledge every job offer you receive in the same way to create a uniform evaluation process. Call each contact person immediately upon receiving a job offer to express your continued interest. Type a letter thanking the employer and showing your thoughtfulness while evaluating the job offer.