The ongoing quest to find employment isn’t for the faint of heart.
It is a full-time job in itself, requiring both patience and persistence.
So when you finally do get the call back that the company you interviewed for decided on you, it’s an exciting feeling. But what if the contract is crap? What if the salary is way below what you’re worth? What if they don’t provide benefits right away?
These are all important things to know before you decide to take the offer.
Here’s what you should be doing before you say ‘yes’ and sign your life away.
1. Talk to someone who already works there
This particular organization is about to take up 40+ hours of your week, every week, for possibly years. If it ends up being a crappy place to work where morale is low and the employees are all chronically complaining about the boss, you don’t want to find out during your first week on the job. If you know someone (or know someone who knows someone – LinkedIn is great for getting introduced through friends) who works at the company already, ask to have a coffee with them and take in as much about the office culture as you can.
It might look like a hip place to work when you’re interviewing, but you won’t have a clue about the office politics and general morale until you speak with an employee who gains nothing from you working there. And don’t do it over email. No one will tell you the truth about their place of employment when there’s a paper trail involved.
2. Read over the contract
Whenever you start a new job, there will be papers to sign with lots of heavy reading involved. We are inclined to naturally assume it’s all fine and just give it a scan and sign – but it’s vital to read over every little detail at least twice so you know what you’re getting into. The less glamourous parts of your job will be listed in the contract, so know it well and make sure it is fair not only for your employer, but also for you. You have every right to ask a lawyer to review any language you don’t fully understand and request an amendment if something seems odd (though you may be denied, depending on the size of the company).
3. Negotiate your salary
Some say the reason the pay gap between men and women is still so wide is because men negotiate their salary with more conviction. No matter what your gender, you should be playing ball with the number they throw at you – most of the time, it’s not as high as they can go. Companies start lower than their budget allows and assume you will be negotiating, so make sure to do so. Don’t let fear of losing the offer stop you from asking for more. They chose you out of everyone else because they recognized the value you bring to the table – it’s not wrong to be compensated appropriately for that value.
4. Take stock of the benefits
When do they kick in? If there’s a waiting period, consider asking if they can waive it. Many companies can do this, but it won’t happen unless you ask. At the very least, negotiate the waiting period down as much as you can. You’ve probably been putting off that dentist appointment for too long as it is.
Also, if the benefits aren’t all that great, ask if there’s any room for improvement. Some companies appear to have the same benefits policy for all staff, but others give better benefits to those making higher salaries – which means it’s always worth asking if something like the co-pay percentage could be improved.
5. Go with your gut
If the boss gives you a bad feeling during the interview, if the employees look overworked and unhappy, if they won’t negotiate salary, if you don’t feel comfortable working in a cubicle and would prefer a more collaborative or creative work environment, then say no. It is okay to say no and wait for something that feels right. This is how you will spend the majority of your waking time – you need to enjoy it. As much benefit as you think your resume might get working for some recognizable brand, it won’t be worth it if it means spending every day being miserable for a paycheck.
#NOTABLE
Want more updates on the most Notable things happening so you know before your colleagues do? Get our exclusive newsletter here and follow us on Twitter for all the latest.