So you made it to the end of the interview process and ended up getting an offer. Congratulations! Now it’s decision time: Are you a yes or a no on this opportunity? There are lots of factors at play when it comes to declining or accepting a job offer, from compensation, to benefits, and beyond. Don’t be swayed by a dollar figure alone. Your happiness at a company also depends on a whole host of questions that people often overlook, but which are crucial to consider.
Here are a few of those questions. If you can tease out this information over the course of your interview process and through your own research, you’ll be much better equipped to act decisively when it comes time to accept or decline the job offer.
1. Who’s behind the company making the job offer?
It’s not exactly surprising, but the success of a company, as well as the satisfaction of both its employees and its customers, depends largely upon its leadership. Is the founder still there? And if not, who’s the current CEO, and what’s their track record as the leader of previous companies? Who’s funding it? How have other companies financed by the same VC firm fared in the long run?
A company with smart, passionate leaders and reliable financing can make for a great place to work. The company is more likely to grow and to make ambitious moves in its product development – all of which contribute to high employee morale. Try to do all you can to discern if the company that has made you a job offer fits this description.
2. Do they have a solid product?
The quality of a product isn’t just important to a company’s customers – it can have an impact on the morale and work experience of its employees too. Is the product truly differentiated in its space? Does it offer something that customers can’t find elsewhere? Does it have a clear and truly compelling value proposition?
These questions are especially important for those with sales and marketing roles. For these people, it’s essential to consider whether the company they’re interviewing for has a product they actually believe in and can sell.
3. What’s the workplace culture like?
It may be one of the intangible aspects of working for a given company, but workplace culture can have enormous implications on employee fulfillment and morale. Your interview process is a great opportunity to get a strong sense of key elements of workplace culture, so you can have a clearer sense of whether you’ll look forward to coming into the office every day, or dread it. Get a feel for the office space. Ask your interviewer about the culture: Will you spend most of your time at your desk, or is it a meeting-heavy culture? Do teams work in silos, or are there regular all-hands meetings to foster company unity?
Don’t be afraid to ask about perks and activities as well: Are there catered lunches and snacks? What about team social outings? These things are essential components of workplace culture as well.
Your job search isn’t just about finding a job. It’s about finding the right job for you and your career advancement. From leadership, to product, to workplace culture, there’s lots to consider when deciding whether to accept or decline a job offer. In the meantime, here’s more on this topic from Betts Recruiting founder and CEO Carolyn Betts Fleming. Good luck!