I was just offered a counsel position and the salary is lower than I expected but the people are great and the opportunities for growth seem promising. I'm having a hard time making a decision…how do I evaluate this offer?
Answer:
Congratulations on your new job offer! There are many factors to consider when evaluating an offer, and it is important that you take the time to make sure that your new employer will be a good fit for you. In my experience, people change jobs for one of the following reasons: to find a more supportive environment or a better "fit", to make more money, and/or for career advancement and better long term growth opportunities. Think about what is frustrating you about your current position and ask yourself if this next position will alleviate some of the negatives.
If you are leaving your current job because you feel you are underpaid, then it's understandable that you'd want to make more money in your next position. First, you need to figure out what the market is paying someone with your experience (a recruiter can help you with this).Your expectations for what you should be paid need to be aligned with what the market is paying for someone with your experience. Second, you need to fully understand the company's compensation package (salary, bonus, benefits, etc.).If the new employer offers you significantly less than what you are currently making, consider whether they offer other benefits that might make up for the loss in salary (a bigger bonus potential, work from home option, reduced hours, etc.).Only you can determine for yourself if these benefits outweigh a lower salary. If you are still not satisfied, you can always try to negotiate a higher salary.
Another thing to take into consideration when evaluating a job offer is whether the position and company feels like a good "fit". Most people I have talked to would easily trade a higher salary to work in a stable, positive environment with good co-workers who are pleasant to be around. Believe me, fit will make a big difference in terms of your overall job satisfaction. To assess "fit", try to meet as many people as you can in the interview process. Are these people who share your values? Do they seem happy? Would you want to spend 8+ hours a day working alongside of them?
Finally, you should assess whether this position is going to advance your career in a way that is aligned with your career goals. Will the experience you will gain in this job help propel your career forward in the direction you want to take it? What have people who have held this position in the past gone on to do? Would you want your boss's job or even your boss's job?
Fundamentally, how you evaluate this offer comes down to defining your goals and assessing what is most important to you. Good luck with your decision!
Summary: There are many factors to consider when evaluating an offer. It is important to take the time to make sure that your new employer will be a good fit for you
