We did a winning resume that assured us an interview , we had one or perhaps several interviews and we left an excellent impression. Suddenly, we received the call we had expected so much: the work is ours, we are inside. Now that we know they want us on their team, it’s time to talk about our compensation.
It is ideal to start our new job with a salary that satisfies us, because otherwise, we may have to wait a long time for this to change once we accept the offer, even years. However, the salary is not the only thing to pay attention to: many times the benefits and facilities that they offer us to work make the offer suitable for us, even if the salary they offer is less than what we expected.
Here are some good tips for doing things well the day they offer us the job.
- Ask for time to study the offer
Many times the enthusiasm earns us to hear a proposal of work, especially when we have been trying to get an offer for a long time. It also happens that we get angry if what we are offered seems very little to us, and we say “no” without thinking twice.
The advisable thing is to thank first for the trust and then ask for a few hours, or perhaps until the next day, to analyze the proposal carefully and make an informed decision.
- Calculate how much money you will receive each month
The salary can be expressed weekly, monthly or annually. Many employers prefer to express wages on an annual basis, while the expenses and bills that we have to pay at home usually work in cycles that last a month: electricity, rent, water, gas, telephone, etc. It is therefore a good idea to take a calculator and make numbers: How much will you be deducting in federal, state and local taxes? How often will you receive the payments? How much net money will you receive each month?
- Look at the schedules, distances and transportation
It is important to evaluate the work schedule they offer us with other activities of our daily life in mind, such as taking care of children, studying, playing sports, maybe having a second job, depending on each case. An adequate balance between work and personal life will not only make us happier and healthier but it will make us more productive.
It is also important to pay attention to the distance between the workplace and your home, since the time you will spend traveling back and forth is time that you can not use for other activities. Calculate how long it will take to get there and at what time you will have to get up, as well as the money you will spend on fuel, bus or train tickets, as the case may be.
- Evaluate job growth options
Some jobs, even if they seem modest to the naked eye, are excellent opportunities to make a career and continue to grow professionally if we do things right, or function as a gateway to an industry or type of business where we would like to perform and develop our talents Remember that not everything is money: many jobs work as a bridge to other jobs that we like more. Analyze the position they offer and see if maybe this is the situation.
- Pay attention to the benefits
Many companies, in order to make their compensatory package more competitive, offer their employees additional benefits to the salary: medical insurance, 401k retirement plans, paid vacation days, transport facilities, discounts in stores and restaurants, among others.
Evaluate how much money the company will contribute and how much will be deducted from your check to access these benefits. Also note if these benefits make the offer more attractive or if they justify that you may have to accept a lower salary than you expected. Remember that everything adds up.
- Request to be evaluated periodically
Many companies evaluate the performance of their employees every year or every six months. These evaluations and the grade you receive will be essential when requesting a promotion or a salary increase. If you are accepting a salary lower than what you expected under the promise of an increase based on your performance, ask that it be in writing in the offer letter or in your contract, specifying how often you will be evaluated and what the expectations are. job.
- Do not be afraid to ask questions
Remember that you are entitled to know the conditions under which you will work for a company. Many times, when we need work, we fear the possibility that asking questions or asking for information will make us unfriendly and could jeopardize the offer.
Remember also that, in general, receiving an offer of employment means that you have been chosen among several applicants. For the company, finding someone like you is not easy, and they are as interested in closing the deal as you are. You are worth a lot!
If you are reading this because you already received an offer of employment, our most sincere congratulations! We know that the economy is not easy and finding a job is something that brings a lot of merit and talent. If you are still in the search, do not be discouraged. Each selection process you go through must serve as learning for the next one. If things do not go the way you want, take note of what you could do better and prepare well for the next one. Remember that in this country, who perseveres, triumphs!