Evaluating a Job Offer

A major consideration in the evaluation process will be your salary.

Before the Interview:

• Research the job market and learn the salary range for the types of jobs for which you will be interviewing.
• Determine your "bottom line."
• Salary is often based upon the value of your ability to produce. You will need to know your market value.
• You may be asked about salary requirements in the initial stages of the job interview process.  Do your homework so that you can provide the employer with a reasonable salary range. Give a range based on the results of your research.  Do not give one specific amount. You may avoid naming figures before an offer has been made by saying that you are open for negotiation should you be offered the job.

Determine the need to negotiate

• DO NOT negotiate salary until a job offer has been made.
• Salary negotiation takes place once the job offer is on the table
• Negotiation involves compromise. It is a "win/win" situation
• Evaluate any offer made
• Negotiate on the basis of your qualifications; your education, experience, skills, and capabilities in relation to their worth in the job market, NOT on the basis of your wants or needs.
• Don't discuss your problems, financial or otherwise. The discussion should be based on qualifications and performance.
• Some salary scales are non-negotiable.
• If salary is non-negotiable you might ask for additional reviews or non-fixed benefits (memberships, a few extra days off, delayed start date, etc).
  

Once the final figure has been reached, you will need time to make your decision

• In all negotiations, you will eventually have to make a decision to accept or decline.
• Ask how much time you have for your decision. Sometimes you can ask for as much as two weeks and in other situations you might only have a day or two.
• The "final offer" should come from the employer. It is your role to find areas of mutual agreement.

Do not accept a job offer with the idea that if a better job offer comes along, you will just "back out" on the first offer.
 
Make your acceptance or decline of the job offer by telephone conversation but ask for written confirmation.

Once you have accepted a job offer, write to those employers who are still considering your application and inform them that you are withdrawing.