HOW TO MARKET YOURSELF TO EMPLOYERS
ACCEPTING JOB OFFERS Congratulations, you’ve been offered a job! Now, how do you say yes (or no)?
T
he thrill of finally receiving a job offer after a gruelling process of job search can be one of the greatest moments in your life. It means security and the start of a journey towards your dreams. So, you say yes with no second thoughts and that’s the end of it. Easy, right? Except no, not really! There’s a lot more to the process than you think. Accepting a job calls for another round of formal processes and you’ll have to be aware of what goes on to ensure that you’re on the right track! Your job acceptance can be complicated by other factors as well, such as discovering the particular employer or position isn’t quite suitable for you after all. Read on to find out what goes into a job offer and how you should respond to it.
How offers are made In many cases, the recruiter will make a job offer to you through an email or a phone call, informing you that they’re “very happy to offer you X position”. However, job offers — whether conditional or unconditional — are not considered formalised until they are produced in writing, i.e. an offer letter. It will normally contain a copy of the terms and conditions of employment. This document acts as a binding contract once you sign it, so make sure to go through the printed details thoroughly and check that everything is as you’ve discussed with the recruiter (usually during your second or third interview). Look out for: • Job title • Salary and benefits (including travelling, phone, and entertainment allowances) • Additional incentive compensation • Employee education • Probation period • Notice period (the length of time between tendering your resignation and the actual time you stop working) • Hours of work • Holiday, sick pay entitlements and insurance • Starting date In some cases, the recruiter might hand you the letter during your second or third interview. If this happens, don’t feel pressured to sign on the spot. If you need some time to go through the document, ask if you can take some time to read through before you get back to them. Most employers will understand and won’t mind giving you the extra time needed.
102 | SIM CAREER GUIDE 2020
www.sim.edu.sg
