It’s not every day that a job offer comes around. When you do get that phone call from your dream employer on a job offer, you’re thrilled! In the moment you must be feeling a rush of adrenaline, but with every job offer that comes around, it’s absolutely necessary to have a clear head in evaluating what the offer includes.
Know how to handle a job offer professionally while you evaluate it using these tips.
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1. Express appreciation and enthusiasm
Whether this is your top employer of choice or not, when you get a job offer always express appreciation and enthusiasm. Someone who comes off less than thrilled will make the employer question whether they have chosen the right candidate.
2. Ask that it be in writing
When you have the job offer in writing, it makes it more official. You can also clearly review the details so there are no questions left up in the air.
3. Agree on a deadline to respond back
When a job offer is extended it is fine to take some time to think about a decision, but come to an agreement with the employer on when that may be. At minimum the employer should be agreeable to 24 hours, but a day or two more is not unreasonable.
The point is you don’t want to leave the employer waiting in the dark on when you’ll have a decision. The longer they have to wait, the more it’ll dampen the positive relationship you have in place.
4. Get lingering questions addressed
Find out who you can speak to if you have any questions. It’s best not to assume – get clarity on any questions you may have. If you are really struggling with coming to a decision and it may help to meet with more team members, put in the request immediately to the employer.
5. Negotiate, but don’t be greedy
Negotiation should always occur over the telephone or in person – not on email. It’s fair to negotiate for what you believe is reasonable considering your research of what’s industry standard. The problem arises when job candidates get greedy.
For example, if you ask the employer to meet you at a higher amount on salary and they accept the request, don’t go back asking for even more. Clearly such action will come off as being greedy. It’s unflattering on job candidates and may even wave some employers to rescind on the job offer.
6. Don’t bother pushing on things that are non-negotiable
Some things are simply non-negotiable with employers. If the employer has stated those are firm rules, don’t push on it any further. For example, if you want the option to telecommute a couple of days out of the week and the employer has stated that’s simply not a policy they have, don’t bother pushing and trying to negotiate for those terms. See if there are alternate means to making things work like a shift in work hours for certain days so you can either start the work day earlier or later.
How you deal with a job offer can strengthen or dampen the relationship you have with the employer. Keep your dealings with the employer courteous and professional. You want to build on a positive relationship whether you choose to accept or decline the job offer.
