Should I Say Yes?
You worked hard throughout college to gain the knowledge and skills needed to land a promising position upon graduation, and it has paid off just as your parents and professors said it would. You have finally received a job offer! Not only does this mean you may soon say goodbye to Ramen noodles, it also means that someone truly recognizes your potential. Yet, while this in itself may tempt you to yell, "Yes! When do I start?" you should not do that just yet. While getting a job offer feels great, securing the right job offer is where your focus should be. Even though you are graduating into a very tough economy, experts say you should still strive to obtain a job that meets most of your needs. After all, you will be lending your time, talent and abilities to a company and starting a new career track record.
Once you are offered a position, it is acceptable to ask for up to a week to think about the offer. Consider the following seven factors before making a decision:
Your Responsibilities
Most job descriptions are one-dimensional items organized with bullets, says Pamela Waston (right), a career consultant and resume writer. Consequently, unless you asked key questions during your interview, you may not know exactly what a position entails. Furthermore, you can't be sure if you'll enjoy the work. Without this information you can't properly weigh a job offer. If you're still unsure about how the hours of your work day will be spent, call the hiring manager to ask some follow-up questions. "It's important to know the priorities of a position, of the department, and even the priorities of the manager who will supervise you," Watson insists. "In this way you can accurately access what you will be doing at the new company on a daily basis."
Your Opportunity for Growth
Ideally, each position you take should be one that increases your knowledge and skill set, preparing you for bigger and better things. This includes your first post-college job. However, Lindsey Pollack (right), a career development specialist and author, stresses that it's important to remember there are different ways to grow in a particular position. "Growth can come in the form of advancement, training or network opportunities, skill-building, and personal development," Pollack says. "I always advise students to make the most of any opportunity."
Your Salary
The salary you're offered will depend on a number of factors, including your job duties, the demand within your field, your experience, the city you live in, and what your employer can afford. To determine if the salary is fair, you have to do your research, says Pollack. "Talk to your university's career services office or a relevant trade association to find out what salary range is appropriate for your particular industry, type of company, and region of the country," she advises. Pollack also encourages you to take advantage of websites that offer salary information, such as salary.com, vault.com, and wetfeet.com.
If the salary appears fair or better than expected, that's great. Nevertheless, Andy Masters (right), author of "Life After College-What to Expect and How to Succeed in Your Career," says to avoid placing too much emphasis on your starting salary. "Looking at the highest bidder to start is short-sighted and shallow, yet an often enticing mistake," he explains. "Ten years from now, you won't remember how much you made, but you will remember if this was the right company or position to launch the rest of your career."
Your Benefits
While many new grads focus heavily on the salary a job provides, they often ignore the benefits. Francina Harrison (right), a career expert, author and radio show host, views this as a big mistake. "Sometimes the benefits a company provides can outweigh the salary," she says. "It's important to compare the benefit programs with competitors, which is often on the recruitment pages of major companies."
Benefits to compare:
- Health insurance
- 401(k) Plan or other retirement plan
- Paid annual/vacation leave
- Paid sick leave
- Paid family sick leave/maternity leave
- Stock options
- Educational reimbursement
- Free or reduced childcare
- Employee discounts
Masters recommends that you have a friend or family member who is in management or human resources to look over the benefits package with you to see how they measure up with others. "Health insurance costs, matching 401k's, or even tuition reimbursement programs can mean thousands of dollars in difference from one hiring company to another," he says.
The Company's Culture
Just as the school you attended had its own way of life and culture, so will the company you choose to work for. Harrison says it's important to know whether you'll mesh with the culture of a potential employer, and to determine this, you have to know you. "For example, if I accepted a high paying opportunity in a conservative company culture, such as insurance or banking, I would literally suffocate professionally or personally," Harrison explains.
Watson says that talking to current and former employees is a great way to discover what working for a company is really like. She also recommends reviewing the company's mission statement, annual goals, products and services, and financial data.
Lastly, you must reflect on the vibe you received from your potential colleagues and boss during your interview or company visit. "Since you'll be spending an enormous amount of time with the people you work with, you don't want to minimize the importance of these relationships on your career and wellbeing," Pollack says. She adds that more employees leave jobs because of their direct managers than for any other reason. Once you have taken this into account, you will be better able to decide if you will feel like an insider or an outcast.
The Company's Commitment to Diversity
As an ambitious young Black graduate, you want to know you'll have same chance to advance as your white counterparts. Considering this, Masters says it's important to look at the promotion and growth opportunities for African Americans and other minorities because this is where companies often lag behind. He advises you to look at the levels of minority hiring, and what percentage of management and upper management are also minorities. If there are an abundant number of minorities working in entry-level jobs, but practically none in positions of authority, this may be a red flag.
The Company's Location
It is not unusual to have to move in order to take advantage of a job offer. According to the US Census Bureau, about six million people move each year for career-related reasons. However, if the position you are offered requires you to pack your bags, make sure you'll want to live in the place you'll unpack them.
"Serious consideration should be given as to whether you can be content with the job location," cautions Harold Bell, director of career planning and development at Spelman College. For Bell, being in a diverse city is essential. "Some areas of the country have a particularly low representation of African Americans," he explains. "This could potentially impact a new graduate's lifestyle-culturally, socially and spiritually-consequently creating work-life imbalance. Something as common as getting a haircut could turn into a fiasco."
In addition to a city's diversity, other things to gauge include the cost of living, such as housing, car insurance, gas, state and local taxes, and utilities. A city's job market should also be analyzed, as it's important to know that there are other suitable job opportunities should you lose or quit your job. Finally, take into account the local climate, the crime rate, the variety of recreation and entertainment venues, and the number and type of universities in the area, in case you plan on seeking another degree or taking additional courses.
Even if you don't have to move to accept a job, you should still consider its location. Harrison says it's important to find out how long your commute to work will be. A one-hour drive to and from work could zap your energy and time.
Once you have taken time to examine these seven factors, you will know whether it's time to politely decline a job offer or happily accept it. Regardless of what you choose, know that an exciting career awaits you.
Chaz Kyser is the author of Embracing the Real World: The Black Woman's Guide to Life After College, http://www.embracingtherealworld.com/, a speaker on topics geared toward undergraduates and new grads, and a journalism instructor at Langston University.
The Black Collegian contacted seven career experts who shared their single best piece of advice to help you evaluate a job offer:
"Don't base your decision solely on the salary offered. While money is important, never allow it to define you. If you seek your passion you'll be good at it and the money will follow."
-James Wallace, Director of the Office of Assessment and Career Services, Langston University
"Discuss the terms of the offer with your career services counselor. They can assist you in properly evaluating the offer as well as filtering information from the proper perspective. They can also serve as an advocate should you need to negotiate the terms of the offer."
-Harold Bell, Director of Career Planning and Development, Spelman College
"Make sure you have the chance to grow as a professional and as an individual. Ideally, the position you take should give you a chance to experience things you haven't experienced and learn things you don't already know."
-LaMonica S.Singleton, Interim Director of Career Services, Winston-Salem State University.
"Be sure it is a job you like to do. You will be spending a great deal of your time doing this job. Therefore, it should include your interests.
-Dr. Delores Dean, Director, Florida A&M Career Center
"Don't make a hasty decision; you have time to make the best choice. Evaluate the benefits of the position and make sure the position fits you and your personality."
-Eronda Starghill, Director of Career Services, DeVry University-Houston
"Look at the overall compensation package to include work environment, employee diversity and opportunities for advancement. Students should not only look at the salary; they should consider benefits, stock options, educational reimbursement, and if the job matches his/her career goals."
-Glenda Jones, Director of Career & Outreach Services, Prairie View A&M University
"Do your research prior to a formal discussion with the hiring organization. Doing your research in advance is critical to being prepared and confident in what can be a very sensitive negotiation process. Be prepared to discuss "hard" and relevant supportive data about the package offered and how it measures up to the current market standards and your compensation goals entering into the organization."
- Kim R. Wells, Former Director of Career Services, Howard University
