Six questions to ask before accepting a job offer

Before you say yes to the job, it’s important you’re sure the offer aligns with your values and goals. Here are six questions to ask before accepting a job offer.

Ask yourself: Questions to ask before accepting a job offer

1. What was your impression of the team?

This question assumes that you’ve already met the new team. If you haven’t, ask the hiring manager for a walk-through of the office. This is a good way to informally meet the team, especially those you will be working with on a day-to-day basis.

You take a big chance if you start a new job before meeting your colleagues. After all, your workday will be filled with conversations and collaborations with them. The best outcome is if you think you could learn from your workmates and form strong friendships. Both factors point to a happier work environment and being more engaged in what you’re doing.

2. Does the workspace suit you?

As you attend your interviews in the office or take the office walk-through, make sure you take note of the working environment. Is it an open plan or are their individual offices? Are there break-out spaces for collaboration? Is it noisy? Light-filled? Adequate airflow?

Whatever your preference, ensure the space can be productive for you. If the space was not designed with acoustics in mind, for example, you might find this will slowly frustrate you as the days wear on.

Take any issues to your hiring manager. If you have been offered the job, it’s likely they will be open to negotiating adjustments to their working space. After all, you will be most valuable when you’re happy and productive in a workspace that suits you.

3. Do the workplace policies align with your value?

It’s likely you will be sent some documentation alongside your offer, like the company’s employee handbook. Do these policies align with your values? Is there an absence of any policies that are important to you?

A green flag might be policies that showcase corporate social responsibility or an established employee resource group (ERG). This shows that the business is community-minded. Red flags might include outdated policies like an overly strict dress code (when it is not required in the industry) or requiring a doctor’s note for every use of sick leave.

Ask HR: Questions to ask before accepting a job offer

1. Who are you reporting to?

A letter of offer should clearly state your job title and the name of the person you will report to. If this is missing from the job offer, ask for clarification.

The absence of a clear line report might point to other issues in the organisation. Starting a job without this clearly spelt out also means you might be used across the business and have many managers. This is a quick way to become overwhelmed and it’s possible your time might be mismanaged.

2. What are the key objectives of the role?

Set expectations from the outset and ensure you are on the same page with your boss. What do they expect you to accomplish in the first 30 days of the role? What do they expect you to accomplish within three months of starting the role? This will avoid confusion, disappointment, or differences of opinion down the line.

3. How will you get paid and are there benefits?

Your offer will state your starting salary, but there are more things to consider than just this number. Ensure you are clear on how often you will be paid and if you are eligible for overtime. If your starting salary is lower than you would like, but during salary negotiations it was agreed you would accept on the proviso this increases after probation, ensure this is stated in your contract. Adding a date for your next salary review also safeguards this.

Next, tackle bonuses and benefits. Find out about what schemes are available in the workplace and what you must do to be eligible. If there aren’t any benefit schemes, consider using this as leverage for a higher salary.