Congratulations! After many hurdles from submitting your job application to the selection process to the assessment then to the interview stages, you finally landed the job. This big accomplishment is worth celebrating but requires careful thinking. You need to pause and take time to think about your next strategy and steps.
Taking a new job requires you to follow due process. Here are things you may want to consider before accepting the job offer:
1. Would the job make you happy?
Did you know that your happiness level at work is going to affect your output and performance? In a study, 90% of workers surveyed claimed that their loyalty is directly tied to their happiness at work. Bear in mind the environment you would be working in as much as the work itself. Is this a place you can see yourself going to every day? Do you share the company’s core values and mission? Do you like the company’s culture? Don’t replace your happiness for anything because it is the key for productivity, and it’s important to evaluate if this job will help you grow.
2. Would you meet the employer’s expectations?
Getting the job means the hiring manager saw you as a good fit for the job position. Be true to yourself and determine if you can exceed what the company wants from you. This is a major step for both you and your potential employer, so you want to be confident in your skills and abilities. Don’t rush to take a job that will be too demanding and require too much from you (and eventually result in poor work-life balance), but you also don’t want to take a job that will be too easy for you, either. You need something challenging and well-balanced for you to thrive as a career professional.
3. How do you feel about your future boss and co-workers?
These are people you would be spending most of your time with so they matter. If you don’t get along with them there is no way you would do well in your job function. Most people spend their time at work, you need to be in the right environment with the right people and also be the right person. Check your feelings about your future boss and co-workers- What were your first impressions of them? Did you think your potential boss was someone you could work for happily? Were your potential co-workers friendly and eager to get to know you?
4. Am I happy with the job role?
As basic as it sounds, this question is very important. It is possible the way you view your job is different from your employer. Go back to the job description to ensure it is, in fact, what you want. Also, think back to how the hiring manager described the position during your job interviews. Did you like their answer when you asked them what a typical day in the job looks like?
Don’t forget to consider what you’re good at, and why you actually want to do for work. Are there skills you would really like to use on a daily basis? If so, ensure they form part of the job position. Are there skills you don’t like using on a daily basis? If so, see if they are not really needed for the job, and if they are, find out how you would not have to use them often. It is also a good time to ask your potential employer to clarify anything you don’t understand about the work culture and job role.
5. Will the job help me grow in my career?
Bear in mind your short-term and long-term career goals, then take another look at the job description. Is this job going to help you reach your career goals? What will you need to learn in this position that will take you to the next level? Your new appointment should help you grow as a career professional. If you aren’t sure about opportunities for advancement, reach out to the hiring manager and ask (if you haven’t already asked about this during the interview stages).