Job Offered! Now What?

There’s a proper etiquette to handling job offers, no matter whether you’re accepting or rejecting them. We answer common questions to help you out of some sticky situations.

Question: I’ve been offered Job A, but I’m also still waiting to hear about Job B. What should I do?

Answer:

Honesty is the best policy here. Contact Employer A and explain that while you’re very pleased to have been offered the job, you’re still waiting to hear from other organisations and would appreciate a little more time before you can make your decision about the offer. There’s no need to name Employer B.

Be upfront about your internal struggles about this decision; chances are the employer will be able to relate to your dilemma. Either way, if you’re a strong candidate, it stands to reason that other employers would be interested in you – Employer A shouldn’t hold this against you.

Remember that you could be held in breach of contract if you accept a job in writing but then decide to turn it down. So under no circumstances should you sign the contract with Employer A just as a “safety net”!

Question: Help! I’ve been put “on hold”! What do I do now?

Answer:

In cases where an employer happens to have an unusually large number of attractive candidates, it may be tough for them to decide on the best candidate for the position. This is where being “put on hold” comes in – recruiters need time to decide and to get their bosses’ input on the matter.

If you find yourself put “on hold”, there are two things you should do: • Keep in touch with the recruiter to let them know you’re still interested even as you wait for their response. • Keep applying for other jobs and attending interviews. It’s dangerous to assume that you’ll be the lucky one to get the job – you may miss the cut.

Still, here’s a small consolation if an employer puts you “on hold” – it’s because they think that you’re an incredibly desirable candidate, and aren’t keen on letting you slip away.

Question: Should I negotiate the best possible salary?

Answer:

The reality of landing most graduate jobs is that you’ll be given a set salary with very little choice in the matter. Also, note that negotiating your starting pay as a fresh graduate will require a lot of diplomacy.

Make sure what you ask for is both reasonable and justifiable. Approach your network of contacts for advice, and find out about the range of salaries on offer from your prospective employer.

Moreover, be prepared to explain why you should be placed at the upper end of the pay bracket instead of what you’ve been initially offered. Also, think about what you’re prepared to accept.

Remuneration is often more than just a paycheque. There may be other benefits such as bonuses, flexible working hours, commissions, pension plans, life policies, or generous annual leave entitlements. Be sure to consider the whole package before you decide whether or not to bring the matter up.

Question: It’s great that I’ve gotten the offer, but I don’t think I want this particular job anymore. What do I do?

Answer:

The key is to not burn any bridges. You may need to call on that company in the future – whether as a client, a networking contact, or even for future career opportunities.

Be sure to inform recruiters as soon as you’ve come to a decision. Whenever possible, call up your recruiters, or even better, drop by the company in person and let them know face-to-face. This shows your sincerity and your appreciation for the time that the company has blocked out to consider and assess you.

Additionally, be upfront and honest about your reasons for turning down the offer. Maybe you feel that you’re just not a good fit for the company culture, or you realised after the interview that this job isn’t quite what you were expecting – let the company know.

If you’re a strong candidate, recruiters may even discuss ways to restructure the job role to match your expectations or offer you a different position altogether.

Accepting a job offer

Even if you’re told verbally that you’ve been offered the job, you should also expect to receive the offer in writing. This will typically be in the form of an offer letter, followed by a formal employment contract.

Before you sign on the dotted line, though, do proper checks to make sure you’re happy and that everything is as you expect. Keep an eye out for: • Job title • Salary and benefits (including travelling, phone, and entertainment allowances) • Additional incentive compensation • Employee education • Probation period • The notice period (the length of time between resigning and your last day of work) • Hours of work per day or week • Paid annual leave and sick leave entitlements • Holiday, sick pay entitlements and insurance • The starting date If something doesn’t seem right, make sure you contact the employer immediately to clear up any misunderstandings. The employer should send over a revised offer in writing if any changes are agreed upon.

If everything’s good to go and you’re sure you want the job, then go ahead and put your acceptance down in writing!