Managing Job Offers

What happens after you have been offered a job? How should you deal with more than one offer? Here is a guide to the proper etiquette of how you should handle your job offers, as well as how to accept or reject them professionally.

Do not get carried away with the excitement of a job offer. Instead, take the time to consider if the offer is right for you. Other than mulling over the terms and conditions presented, make sure that you raise any concerns to the employer and have realistic expectations.

Be open and honest with the employer(s) when you are considering more than one option. Acknowledge the offer and ask how long they are prepared to wait for your response. Do not accept a job verbally or in writing and then renege on the offer, as this is a breach of contract.

Inform the employers concerned only after you have made up your mind.

Do not use the situation to play employers against each other to offer a higher starting salary or more benefits. This can backfire if an employer decides to blacklist you as an applicant entirely.

How do you handle more than one job offer?

Give yourself ample time to weigh all the factors before confirming your decision. You will be expected to sign an employment contract after informing the HR officer that you wish to take on the offer. Salary negotiation is an art that many find difficult to grasp. Always state a range for your salary expectations. This gives you more room for negotiation instead of nailing on a single number. By stating a range, you are giving the employer room for adjustments, and yourself wiggle room.

However, be prepared to accept the lower range which you stated as a baseline.

Honesty is the best policy

Be professional

How do you accept a job offer?

Terms to consider in detail

1. Job title

2. Salary and benefits (including travelling, phone and entertainment allowances)

3. Additional incentive compensation 4. Employee education 5. Probation period 6. Notice period (the length of time between resigning and your last day of work) 7. Hours of work per day or week 8. Holiday, sick pay entitlements and insurance

9. Starting date

How can you negotiate your salary?

Research market rates and industry standards

Make sure you are making informed decisions even as a fresh graduate when evaluating job offers and benefits packages.

Here is your chance to do adequate homework based on graduate employment survey findings and market reports.

Consider the package as a whole

Review the entire remuneration package, including benefits such as bonuses, commissions and leave entitlements.

How do you reject a job offer?

Turning down a job offer can present a rather awkward situation. The bottom line is not to burn any bridges.

Maintaining cordial relationships with your contacts in the industry is important – in this case, the prospective employer who you turned down can one day become your client, a networking contact, and definitely, still a prospective employer in the future.

Inform the employer as soon as you have decided

If you are turning down an offer, let the hiring manager and HR personnel know as soon as possible, so that they can make arrangements to fill the post.

Be sincere

Call the employer to decline the offer and do so politely. Follow up with the same in writing, stating your reasons upfront. Being authentic and straightforward helps the employer understand your expectations and circumstances.

Keep in touch

The world is small. Sign off with some pleasantries and offer to keep in touch.

Words of advice

1. Do ask the employer(s) for more time to make up your mind. 2. Make sure that the employer sends you a revised offer in writing, if you are successful in negotiating the terms and conditions of the offer.

3. Do not hesitate to seek the advice of your mentors and career coaches if you have difficulty deciding on the job offer(s).