What to Do When You Evaluate Job Offers

In an article published on The Muse’s website in 2024, Keller Executive Search weighed in on how to evaluate a job offer, request more time to consider your options, and negotiate the offer. To make sure a job fits your professional goals, your idea of a good balance between work and your personal life, and your salary expectations, The Muse explains how important it is to take the time to truly consider any job offer you receive and pay attention to the details.

Julia Yurchak, Keller Executive Search’s senior recruitment consultant, suggests taking between 24 and 48 hours to consider the job offer. According to Yurchak, this should be enough time to look into the finer details of the offer, assess how well you would fit in the corporate culture, and reevaluate any other job offers you have had.

However, should you require a bit more time, due to the contract being difficult or the offer being for a move, most reasonable employers are open to providing an extra 24 to 48 hours following a polite request. On the other hand, taking a week or longer to review the offer might be pushing it a bit too far, unless there are extenuating circumstances.

The article goes on to discuss important things to consider once you have received a job offer, how to ask for more time when reviewing one, the most important things to consider, and how to bargain if you are unsatisfied.

Things to Consider Before Deciding to Accept or Reject a Job Offer

When you evaluate a job offer, some of the most important things you should consider are:

• The salary and benefits
• Whether you would be able to balance the job and your personal life
• Whether the company has any opportunities to grow in your career
• The company’s culture and how well you fit into it
• How stable and secure the job will be in the long-term
• The location of the position and what the commute would be like (for local roles) or whether you would need to relocate

Bargaining A Job Offer

When preparing to negotiate for a better offer, experts recommend doing the following:

Research industry-standard salaries for the role you have been offered as well as typical salaries for someone of your experience-level. Prepare how you can show your potential value to the company and why you deserve a better salary or benefits.

Identify different aspects of the job offer that can be negotiated, such as the salary, paid time off (PTO), flexible hours/ the possibility of remotely, a signing bonus, and relocation assistance.

Stay as professional as possible. Show how enthusiastic you are about the job and approach it from a collaborative standpoint.

Prepare yourself for the possibility of a counteroffer or a rejection. During negotiations like this, some employers might resist the negotiation entirely or suggest alternatives to what you are requesting.

What To Do After Making Your Decision

Yurchak provides valuable insight in how to approach either accepting or declining the job offer once you have made your decision.

If you accept the offer, reiterate that you are interested in the position, express how much you appreciate the company offering you the job, and confirm your acceptance and starting date. This is also a good opportunity to confirm the terms you agreed upon while you were negotiating the offer.

If you decide to decline the offer, it is always best to remain polite. Thank the company for the offer before respectfully declining.

About The Muse

The Muse is a site that allows the new generation of workers to research careers and companies, and find great resources for the workplace. The site offers advice on finding a job, advancing professionally, and building skills. The career advice on the website also includes topics such as searching for a job, how to achieve success at work, different career paths, diversity & inclusion, career stories, and business news.

The Muse also functions as a job board with a wealth of available roles listed in a wide variety of fields that interested users can apply for.