How do you know that you’re accepting the right job for you?

Receiving a job offer can be the best feeling in the world, especially if you’ve been job hunting for a while. One single job offer can lift a heavy weight off of your shoulders. Whether you have one or more job offers on the table, receiving an offer isn’t the end of your job search. This is just the next step, you need to take time to assess the offer, look back over important factors of the job and the offer itself to ensure that it is right for you.

It can be common for someone to get offered a job and them blindly accept it on the spot, with little or no hesitation. Unless you are 100% certain this is the role you want and need, then taking time to think about it before letting the employer know, is probably the best direction to take. The employer shouldn’t expect you to give them a decision on the spot, so take some time to think about it, take it at your own pace and it’s less likely you will regret it later. We have some advice, to help make decisions like this easier.

Trust your gut

Sometimes, when you receive a job offer, the instant reaction can go one of two ways. You may feel nothing but excitement or you may feel slightly confused or uneasy about what direction you want to take this offer. Both feelings are okay and sometimes it can be a mix of both, especially when you have been interviewing for multiple roles. You may feel like another role is more suited to you or you might just want to wait it out to see what other employers offer you. It’s okay to ask for some time to think about the offer.

It’s normal to have some uncertainties, but too much doubt should show you that it may not be the right path to take. You shouldn’t have to resent going into work on a day-to-day basis, so make sure straight away this is something you want to commit to. Otherwise, you may miss out on other potential opportunities that would have given you a better path for your career. Always trust your own instincts and put them before anyone else’s opinions.

Why this job?

Are you accepting this role because you want this job or because you just want to take any job? Do you like the salary they are offering you? Or are you accepting this job because you really think it will help you progress in your career?

There is no right or wrong answer to this question, but it has to be the right answer for you. Everyone’s job seeking journey is different and we all have our own reasons for wanting a new job, so don’t feel like your reason is any less valuable to others.

If you are looking for a job that helps you progress and you want something that will help you learn and develop, then ask yourself if this particular job is worth your time. Job seeking can take a lot of time and effort, so say yes to the right job. Don’t settle in your career, you deserve to have the best and if you don’t think it’s worth it, don’t do it.

Weigh out the pros and cons

There can be positives and negatives to any job but it’s all about finding the right balance for both you and your lifestyle. Being able to confidently say why you want the job can be the first step in creating the best possible outcome from this opportunity.

You want to be able to enjoy your job, it’s where you will spend the majority of your day. Positives can include anything that is meaningful to you, something that you think makes it worth it. It’s the same for any negatives, if you find yourself dwelling on the potential downfalls of a job, for example, the salary. Then maybe it’s not worth the stress and you can find something that suits you better.

It won’t necessarily just depend on the salary, reasons for or against accepting a job may include, company culture, the location of the job and the room to develop in the role. Any reason for or against that you think is relevant, it matters. Make sure you aren’t settling just because it’s the easier option. Sometimes change can be scary but making the right choice for you, can often lead to greater opportunity.

It’s about more than just the job itself

Not only do you deserve a job you enjoy, but you have the right to an employer that treats you correctly. You’ve probably done your research on the organisation, both before and during your interviews, but was there anything that didn’t sit right with you? Don’t be afraid to ask questions, even after they have offered you a position or go back online and see what’s being said about them! Potential questions may be based around:

• What do the company do and who will you be working for? – Get to know more about the team you will work in and don’t be afraid to ask about company culture.

• Think about what you are looking for from a healthy work environment and assess whether the employer can provide it or not.

•  Is there room to progress in this company and do they allow you to have a little bit of freedom with your role.

The questions are likely to be different for each job-seeker, but you are going to be spending almost 5 days a week in that environment and with those co-workers. Be aware of how much they are asking of you. Is this going to give you the work-life balance you are looking for, or will this role push you out of your comfort zone? Make sure you are assessing all elements of the job, if this is going to have too much of a strain on your home and personal life, re-evaluate your decisions. Make sure you are able to have time for yourself as well.

When you are offered a job, it can be easy to take the first one that is offered, especially if you have been looking for a while. Job-seeking can be extremely tiring, so it can seem like a way out. However, it’s good to look back on all the work you have done so far and think if this next step will be worth it. After everything you ask yourself, the decision is still yours and yours only, so make the right one for you and stick by your career choices.