If you just started to look for a new job and youβve been interviewed for a couple of positions, chances are you will get a job offer sooner or later if you have the right set of in-demand skills. Of course, you want to get hired as soon as possible. However, itβs not always wise to jump at the first offer, especially if you have the potential to get more. While money and title can be tempting, there are certain things you need to look out for if you donβt want to end up in a toxic work environment.
There are a lot of things about a company and the team you will be working with that cannot be revealed during the interview. Only a few hiring personnel would be upfront about the negative side of the position youβre about to get hired for. When youβre obviously a good candidate, the company would likely want you in, so theyβre unlikely to reveal anything bad.
Furthermore, online reviews donβt always accurately describe a company. Just like with consumer products, people tend to leave a review when they have a negative experience. While you shouldnβt discount these reviews, you should also remember that there may be other employees whoβve had a good experience.
Now, whatβs the best way to know if you should accept a job offer? It will help to check for the following signs:
1. Employees donβt look happy
During your interview or while waiting for your turn to be interviewed, do you remember seeing the employees looking happy doing their jobs? Did they talk and smile at each other? Did they share laughs? If you happened to be in the office early, did the employees come in on time, looking excited to start their work? If you had to stay until the end of working hours, do the employees looked worn out? Did they look like they canβt wait to get out of the office?
If employees look bored and gloomy while in the office, chances are theyβre in a work situation that you wouldnβt want for yourself.
2. Itβs unclear what you would be doing
Letβs say you have a lot of tricks up your sleeve and you can help the team and company in more ways than one. You probably made this apparent during the interview. However, this shouldnβt mean that the employer can get away with not specifying your job description. Without a clear job direction, you can end up doing tasks that you shouldnβt be doing in the first place. Such a scenario could lead to burnout.
3. The companyβs values and mission donβt mesh with your own
If you think your personal values will be compromised when you accept a job at a certain company, youβll have to give it deep thought. For instance, if you are an environmentalist and the company has been alleged to be a polluter, you could be going against yourself by working with them.
4. The job doesnβt offer a room for personal and career growth
Even if the salary and benefits are great, you should still consider whether the job will help you grow personally and professionally. Are there opportunities for learning new things? What about a promotion? You donβt want to waste your time with a job that will not help you grow as you go along.
5. The salary is way too low
There are certain jobs that can entice you to bend a little and accept an offer lower than you originally wanted. However, if the salary is too low that youβll have difficulty covering your financial obligations, it will be in your best interest to turn down the offer. However, if you really want the position, you can try to negotiate for a better offer.
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Photo by Mimi Thian on Unsplash
