Job Interviews: When You're Offered the Part - To Accept or Not to Accept

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Once you stop dancing around and whooping it up after finally getting the job offer, think about the particulars of whether the job is right for you. The following sections outline the kinds of questions you need to ask yourself.

Is the job itself a good one?

Is this job worth one half of your waking hours? Only you can decide. When considering the worthiness of the job itself, ask yourself the following questions:

• Does this job allow me to strengthen my marketable skills? Does it offer career mobility?
• Do I like the people I would be working with day to day?
• Will the boss(es) and I get along?
• Will this work hold my attention?
• Does the job use the best of my talents, skills, and abilities?
• Will this work give me a sense of enjoyment?
• Is this a job that "makes a difference?" Do I care?
• Do I get to make the important decisions about how I do the job?
• Will I have to travel? How much? Is that okay with me?
• Will I have to work hours when my friends play? Is that okay with me?
• Will this job allow me to add to my personal network?
• Will I be visible to people who make decisions?
• Could this job be a stepping stone to something better?
• Do I need a whole new wardrobe for this job? Is that okay with me?

Is the company a good choice?

Is this a company you admire? When considering the kind of company you may be joining, ask yourself the following questions:

• Does the company culture fit my personality?
• Does the company have room for advancement?
• Are the company policies in writing?
• Can I live with these policies?
• Is the company in a good position to survive and grow in a competitive market?
• What's the company's reputation for consideration of employees? Severance policies?
• Is the company's industry growing or shrinking?
• Can I handle the commute?

Is the pay enough?

You can be just as happy with a lot of money as a little. For most of us, getting our hands on any money means working at paid jobs for our material things - home, food, transportation, clothing, entertainment, and education. Compensation comes in a package of base pay, variable pay (such as bonuses), and indirect pay (employee benefits such as health insurance). Weigh each of these factors when considering the company's compensation package. Ask yourself these questions:

• Am I being offered my fair market value in base pay?
• How valuable are any variable pay opportunities - bonuses, commissions, stock options?
• What good are the benefits? Health insurance (what percentage do I pay; can I choose coverage plans)? Retirement plan? Company car? Vacation time? Sick days? What else?
• What is the basis for raises?

Employers expect you to negotiate

When you get a job offer in a tight labor market, your compensation may be more negotiable than you think. For example, when you can't bump up the pay, the following compensation may be open to change:

• Relocation costs reimbursement
• Early reviews with the option for salary increases
• Signing bonuses
• Vacation leave

Feedback when you're not offered the part

If you aren't ready for this chapter yet - that is, if you lost the part to another candidate - you may be wondering where you went wrong. Disappointed job seekers often ask interviewers for reasons why they weren't selected and for tips on how to do better in the future.