Tuesday, March 13, 2012

When you should say "No" to a job offer

Well girlfriend, you made it.  You wrote a killer resume, dressed for success, and nailed your job interview.  Now it's the moment of truth: the offer.

I hope the offer you received is everything you ever wanted and more.  But in reality, it's probably far from life changing.  I have yet to receive an offer that knocked my socks off, but hopefully what you received is a starting point.  If however, the offer is just not hitting the mark and after trying your hand at negotiation, you aren't getting anywhere, when do you consider walking away?

  1. You have a job.   It's so much easier to find a job when you have a job.  So if the offer you received is just not hitting the mark, no worries, you are already employed and are under no pressure to accept something you aren't 100% sure about.
  2. Salary is missing the mark.  Assuming that you already have a job, and the salary on offer is still less than you were hoping for (10% or so), consider that this may not be the right opportunity for you.  Know what you want and what you are worth.  Of course if you don't have a job, you don't have the benefit of being so selective.  
  3. The benefits aren't bountiful.  What are the non salary benefits like?  Flexible hours, working from home, 401k match, health insurance premiums, vacation/sick time?  These all play a part in the overall package.  Sometimes these can be enough to compensate when the salary is less than you expected, but other times not.  
In short, you want to head into your new job happy and content.  As this is usually the happiest you will be in the workplace, you might as well start off on the right foot.

Cheryl Reynolds
College Girl to Working Girl

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