How to Decide If You Want to Accept a Job Offer

You applied, you interviewed—and you got the job. Congratulations!  

It may be exciting, but don’t rush to accept the offer just yet. Right now, it’s in your best interest to hit pause—and make sure the new job aligns with your personal and professional goals.  

Not sure where to start? Here’s what you should ask yourself so you can decide if accepting a job offer is in your best interest.  

Is this what I want for the next phase of my career?

Think about why you’re looking for a new job in the first place. What’s your motivation? Are you looking for a new challenge? Hoping to make more money? Or maybe you’re looking to switch your career path entirely and pursue something else.  

Whatever your motivation, it’s important to think about whether the new work opportunity you’re considering suits your work style. Ask yourself questions like: What kind of environment do I thrive in? Do I prefer to work as an individual contributor, part of a team or both? 

If the new role requires you to woo new clients but your true calling is marketing analytics, you probably won’t be happy. Ask for a detailed job description and, when in doubt, talk to the hiring manager and ask questions to get a feel for what your duties will entail. Is this where you’d like to focus your time?  

It can be helpful to think into the future when asking these questions, too. Does this move help you work toward your long-term professional goals? Will it help you grow in ways that are important to you? 

Am I a good match for the company culture? 

You wouldn’t jump into a relationship with a romantic partner without determining if you’re compatible. The same goes for committing to a new employer.  

Ideally, your research would have begun during the interview, with questions like: Why is the position open? Would I be replacing an incumbent, or is this a new role? You can also reach out to people you know within the company—or seek new connections on LinkedIn—to get the inside scoop. 

If you don’t have a clear picture of the company’s culture from your interview rounds, it’s never too late to ask more questions.  Don't be afraid to ask questions like: How are mistakes acknowledged and resolved? What makes you love coming to work? Can you share examples of the company’s mission statement in action?   

Do the salary and benefits cut it? 

Even if a company offers more than what you’re earning in your current job, don’t feel like you have to accept the first salary offer. They could be lowballing you based on what a typical salary is for professionals in your field. The truth is: in most cases, the initial offer is rarely the best a company can do. When the company is excited about bringing you on board can be a great time to negotiate. Many job hunters shy away from negotiating and leave money on the table. 

However, it’s important to be realistic and support your salary negotiation with data, not just your own feelings. Base your salary expectations on your qualifications and what the market rate is, not how much you need to cover your expenses every month. When considering your compensation, you also want to understand your full benefit package.  

Examine everything from health benefits (including dental, vision, disability leave and parental leave) to life insurance, a 401(k) plan and vacation/sick time. Find out if the new job comes with a signing bonus, profit sharing, a car allowance or gym membership reimbursements. If you’re interested in professional development, ask if the company offers tuition reimbursement or funding to attend conferences. Many of these perks are negotiable and can impact your compensation as a whole.  

Does this job fit with my lifestyle? 

Think about whether the new job matches the life you envision for yourself. How long would you spend commuting? How much will you be required to travel? Do you have the option to work remotely on a full-time basis? Or does the company offer a hybrid work schedule that allows you to work a few days in the office and a few days at home?  

A job that requires extensive time away from home might not be right for a new parent or someone who simply doesn’t enjoy the hassle of work travel. But a job where there’s no in-office interaction or travel could bore someone who needs socialization. 

It’s hard to put a price on things like work-life balance, so think about how life with this new opportunity may look and whether it’s worth the change.   

Am I just trying to get out of a bad situation? 

It can be tempting to jump if you’re trying to flee your current job. Maybe you’re trying to leave a toxic situation or progress your career by getting out of a workplace with no promotional opportunities. But if you move too quickly—or ignore a bad gut feeling you have about the new job—you may discover that the grass isn’t always greener. 

Try to separate your feelings about your current job from the new job. Look at the new job in isolation. Outside of the situation you’re in, is the new role a good fit? Would you take it even if things were good at your current job? It can be tempting to take the short-term way out, but if the job isn’t a good fit for you, you may quickly find yourself right back where you started.  

Is this the right time to make a change?  

When you decide to quit your job and take a new position, make sure you review your current employer’s benefits so you don’t leave any money behind.  

Benefits like contributions to stock options or your 401(k) can have limitations about when you’re able to access or keep the money. For example, you may need to be vested in a company for three years before you’re able to keep employer contributions to your retirement fund. And if you leave before the company issues annual bonuses, you may miss out on the opportunity to collect a reward you’ve earned. In the end, timing your decision to leave your job could make the difference of thousands of dollars. 

How do I know if I should accept a job offer? 

You’ll rarely go wrong if you do your due diligence and trust your instincts. There’s no sure way to know for sure that a job will be a good fit for you, and things can change. Restructures, people leaving, mergers—and who knows what else—could impact your position. All you can do is sit with the offer, pay attention to how you feel about the job and the company and make the best decision you can at this moment.