Accepting a Job Offer

This page contains information for students who are deciding whether to accept a job offer and the educators and parents who are supporting them. How one decides whether or not to accept a job offer may vary depending on one's stage of career development and other contextual issues. For example, a job that requires moving to a different region or state may require deeper consideration than a move within the general radius of current employment. Doyle (2017), recommends evaluating the entire compensation package, which includes everything from salary to work environment. Five things to consider when evaluating a job offer include the following:

  1. Money Matters - Make sure the salary is fair for the services offered.
  2. Benefits and Perks - Review details about health insurance, life insurance, as well as vacation, sick leave and professional development opportunities.
  3. Work Hours and Travel - Be clear on what is required in regard to the hours of work required weekly and the frequency of travel required.
  4. Flexibility and Company Culture - Do your best to make sure you will be comfortable in the work environment.
  5. Your Personal Circumstances - Take time to consider the offer in light of your own personal circumstances and make the best match possible when accepting a new job (Doyle, 2017).

Resources

The Balance: What to Consider Before Accepting a Job Offer
This website offers advice on the many aspects of accepting a job.

Finding a Job that is Right for You: A Practical Approach to Looking for a Job as a Person with Disability
On-line guide with a "You got the job. Now what?" section that discusses strategies for success, requesting job accommodations and more.

Entering the World of Work: What Youth with Mental Health Needs Should Know about Accommodations
Fact Sheet that discusses how the American with Disabilities Act applies to youth with mental health needs, youth job concerns and accommodations that address them and more.

Life Event: Start a New Job
Web page on the legal aspects of starting a new job including a new job checklist and information on employee contracts and handbooks, job references, documentation (proof of age, I-9 verifying who you are, W-4 for federal withholding tax), salary, benefits and more.

Nine Ways to Start Your New Job Right
Article from U.S. News and World Report about how to begin a new job well.

QuintessentialCareers.com
Website with tutorials, quizzes, strategies, articles, tips and other resources on fielding job offers, negotiating salaries and benefits, making a good first impression on a new job and a "Jobs and Career Resources for Teenagers" page.

References

Doyle, A. (2017). How to evaluate a job offer. Retrieved from https://www.thebalance.com/how-to-evaluate-a-job-offer-2061399