Got a job offer? Get tips on how to analyze it.
There are several ways to evaluate job offers. Perhaps the simplest is to list all of the pros and cons, keeping in mind the aspects that are important to you. Consider your preferences and values and how well the position would match them.
If you have a family, keep in mind that they are affected by job decisions, so include them in the decision-making process.
When you do get a job offer, here are factors to consider:
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Job Evaluation Checklist |
Pros |
Cons |
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The Industry
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Interest in the industry (Is this a field where I would like to build a career?)
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Potential for long-term growth (Is this an industry that is growing?)
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The Position
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Work duties (Do the duties of the job interest me and use my skills?)
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Potential for advancement (What opportunities are available?)
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Position level (Where is the job in the organization? To whom do I report?)
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Wages/benefits (Do they meet my needs?)
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Hours (Do I consider them reasonable?)
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Working conditions (What are the company's expectations and work style?)
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Quality of job (How long has the position been open and why is it open?)
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Travel requirements (How often would I have to travel?)
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The Company
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Growth potential (How has the company performed over the last several years?)
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Planned expansion (What plans exist and how do they fit with the economy?)
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Success (What are the company’s debt/profit ratio and other indicators of success?)
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Reputation (What is the company’s reputation in the industry and with its employees?)
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Management team (What is the tenure, growth, and origin of the management team?)
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Your Supervisors
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Skills (What are the supervisor’s training and previous work experience?)
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Organizational position (Who do the supervisors report to and how long have they been in their jobs?)
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Interaction/expectation (How well do I think I can work with the supervisor?)
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Environmental Concerns
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Geographic location (Is the job someplace I would like to live?)
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Area factors (Am I comfortable with the traffic, growth, cost of living, crime rate, etc.?)
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Housing (Is affordable housing available and to my liking?)
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Recreation (Are recreation opportunities available and within reason?)
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Schools (Are good schools available for my children, spouse, and self?)
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Company Benefits Available
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Paid Vacations: (Am I eligible? How many days do I receive? How many days after a year of employment? After five years of employment?)
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Health Insurance
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Fully or partially paid by employer? Dependent coverage fully or partially paid by employer? Does coverage include: Vision care? Dental care? Alcoholism and/or Drug abuse treatment?
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Paid Sick Leave
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Provided? Carry-over of unused days permitted?
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Paid Life Insurance
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At least two times annual salary (for coverage based on earnings)? At least $15,000 (for coverage based on flat dollar amount)?
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Savings and Profit Sharing
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Savings/thrift plans? Cash profit sharing? Deferred profit sharing?
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Qualified Plans
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Pension Plan (Defined Benefit) Provided? 401K, 403B or other tax deferred retirement savings plans? Association, professional or union plans? Mutual fund retirement plans?
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Other Benefits
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Full or partial relocation allowance? Full or partial reimbursement for education expenses? Financial or legal counseling plan? Child care? Long-term incentive plans (stock options or other type of performance award)? Cars or transportation allowance provided for executives, sales people or managers who must travel?
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