What to Do Once You Get a Job Offer

Here's What To Focus On:

1. Negotiate your salary and ask about bonuses.

   Salary negotiation can feel uncomfortable, but this is the one moment in the whole job process where you hold more leverage than your employer. Do not let this moment pass without capitalizing on it. Ask about your base salary, performance bonuses, signing bonuses, and any other forms of compensation you may be offered or want clarity about. Come prepared to your negotiation with other offers or market data and a clear sense of your target salary. Think of their offer as cumulative compensation factoring in your base salary and other benefits which add to your bottom line.

2. Understand your benefits and when they activate.

   Health coverage, retirement plans and matching options, commuter benefits, tuition assistance — these can vary significantly from one organization to the next, and they do not always start on day one. Some employers have a probationary period before benefits kick in. Sometimes health coverage does not start right away, or you do not qualify for parental leave until you have worked at the company for over a year. Ask specifically when each benefit begins, so you are not surprised after you sign.

3. Get clear on your title and who you report to.

   This might seem obvious, but it is surprisingly common for new hires to start a new role without a clear picture of who their direct supervisor actually is. Once you know who that person is, reflect on your interactions with them. Does their management style seem like a good fit for how you work best?

4. Know how your performance will be measured.

   What are the priorities for your role in the first six months? The first year? Are there specific metrics you will be expected to hit? Even in non-sales roles, many organizations now set quantifiable targets for employees. Ask about these expectations upfront so you are set up for success and not caught off guard. While you are at it, find out whether there is an expectation to be reachable for business concerns in the evenings and/or on weekends. One of the best ways to get a candid answer to that question is through the next step..

5. Meet your future teammates.

   If you have spoken with your potential manager and their manager but have not met the people you will be working with every day, that could be a red flag. Asking to meet your new team is reasonable and smart. Even a brief conversation with future colleagues can reveal a lot about the team's dynamic, work culture, and unspoken office norms. It is also a great opportunity to ask candid questions you might not feel comfortable asking a hiring manager.