In our recent layoff posts, we’ve been providing you with our best thinking on creating your core criteria, crafting your stories, writing a winning resume and cover letter, gaining insight from your network, and showing up well in your interviews.

When you nail your interview(s) and receive the job offer, it’s not always easy to decide whether or not to accept it. So, today, we’d like to support you in making that decision, using our Benefits, Concerns, and Suggestions framework.

We’ve discussed this framework in previous posts for various types of team and individual situations, because it’s an easy process that can help you come to a decision.

Here’s how we recommend using it as you decide whether or not a job offer is the right fit for you:

 

Be sure to have your core criteria list (life priorities, skills, and working conditions) handy. Then, after identifying the job opportunity that you’re considering, look through these questions.

BENEFITS

Ask yourself, “As I look at the job description, the information I gathered at the interview, and my core criteria, what are the BENEFITS of accepting this role, job opportunity, career path, etc.?”

For example:

  • How would this role allow me to live according to my life priorities?
  • What skills will I to use regularly?
  • What part of the compensation is what I need (salary, benefits, etc.)?
  • Is the requirement for in-person/virtual/hybrid, something that will work well for me?
  • Is the schedule one that will work for me?
  • What part of their culture is aligned with my values?
  • Do they communicate in a way that would be a good fit for me?

CONCERNS

Now ask yourself, “As I look at the job description, the information I gathered at the interview, and my core criteria, what are the CONCERNS I have about accepting this role, job opportunity, career path, etc.?”

For example:

  • How might this role distract me from living according to my life priorities?
  • What skills will I not be using regularly?
  • What part of the compensation misses the mark (salary, benefits, etc.)?
  • Is the requirement for in-person/virtual/hybrid, not a good fit?
  • Is the schedule one that will be difficult for me?
  • What part of their culture is not aligned with my values?
  • Do they communicate in a way that isn’t a good fit for me?

SUGGESTIONS

Finally, ask yourself, “As I look at the job description, the information I gathered at the interview, and my core criteria, what SUGGESTIONS do I have to make this role, job opportunity, career path, etc., a great fit for me?”

For example:

  • If the concern is that you won’t be using enough of the skills you love, are there special projects you could work on or other committees you could join?
  • If the concern is that the salary isn’t what you need, would they consider compensating you for a car payment or childcare, or perhaps provide you with more allotted vacation time when you start?
  • If the concern is that you’re being asked to work in-person 3 days a week, but the long commute means you won’t have quality family time, is it possible to ask for a flexible schedule on the virtual days or in-person days?

NOTE: We suggest using a sticky notes (one per idea) on a blank wall or even sheets of paper (one for benefits, one for concerns and one for suggestions), to capture your ideas and lists.

Take a step back and look at all of your thoughts at once. As you review the suggestions you have, consider how you might use them in your negotiations, with your potential employer.

The suggestions and negotiations will, of course, be specific to your needs. As you look at your core criteria, the question to ask is, “What’s possible to make this a great job/company fit for me?”

We know that this process has many moving parts! Listen to yourself and check in regularly as you’re working through this career process.

You can move closer to something
that’s engaging, inspiring, and impactful
if you pause from time to time
to reflect on the right fit for you.

We wish you well on your career journey! 

Whether you’re out of work because you needed to do so for your mental or physical health or you’ve been let go (for whatever reason) . . . it’s a difficult space to be in. AND, we know that hiring a career coach can be challenging on a tight budget.

To support you, we’ve put together various options, in hopes of fitting your needs.

Please contact us today if you’re interested in learning more about any of our free or paid options:

If you’d like support
with next steps in your career,
contact us today.