What should you ask a potential employer before accepting a job offer?

When you receive an offer to work at a company, it’s nerve-wracking. After sweating through interviews, completing tests, and going through grueling feedback sessions, you’ve finally made it to this point. The final verdict is in your hands: Do you take the job or not?

Even if your first instinct is to run out of the interview room and accept the job offer on the spot, there are several important factors that may impact your decision. In fact, declining a job offer can be just as difficult as accepting one.

However, by asking yourself a few key questions before accepting an offer, we believe you will be able to make an informed decision about your future with this organization.

So what questions should you ask before accepting a job offer?

What is the scope of the job and your role?

One of the most important factors in the decision to accept or decline a job offer is the actual role you will play in the organization. In many ways, this is the first test of whether the employer has done its homework and fully understands your skills, interests, and experience. 

If the company is serious about hiring you, it will have developed a clear picture of your role from the job description and your resume. 

You should have a clear picture of the job, too. What will you be doing on a daily basis? What skills and abilities do they want you to bring to the job? What are the critical responsibilities of your position? What are the key projects you will be working on? Are there any obligations you need to be aware of? What will the expectations be for your first year?

What is the current culture like?

Another important aspect of accepting a job offer is getting a sense of the existing culture of the organization. You can look for reviews of the organization to get a sense of what current and former employees have to say about the culture. 

Find out if the culture of the company matches your own values by looking on your website or social media. Of course, the current culture of the organization will not remain static, but it is important to understand what it is like now. This will help you decide whether you want to be part of this work environment.

What will be your initial challenges and priorities?

When you are hired for a new job, it is usually because the organization has challenges that need to be addressed.

While this will depend on the particular job and the stage of the organization’s development, there are certain types of challenges that are common to virtually every new job. You need to assess the organization’s current priorities. 

By asking a few questions and performing a little research, you can get a sense of the organization’s challenges and priorities. For example, ask what their short-term challenges are and how you will be expected to help address them. Is there a particular project that is top priority? Are there specific people you will be working with or need to report to?

Will you have sufficient training, tools, and resources?

When you accept a new job, you will almost certainly be provided with a new set of tools and resources that are specific to the role. These might include a computer system or software, a new set of colleagues, and a new set of resources and contacts.

You will be expected to know how to use these tools and resources, and it is important that you are provided with a sufficient amount of training and time to become proficient.

This is particularly true if you are replacing an employee who has recently left the organization. Are you receiving sufficient training and time to become proficient with the new tools and resources?

How long does it usually take to become proficient in this role?

This is another question that can help you decide whether to accept a job offer. After all, no one likes to be in a situation where they feel incompetent or inadequate in their role. 

While proficiency will depend on many factors, such as the amount of training you receive, the amount of time you have to learn on the job, the complexity of the tools and resources you need to use, and your own skills and abilities, you can get an idea of how long it might take you to be proficient by asking others who are performing similar roles. 

Are they finding that it takes a reasonable amount of time to become proficient? If not, this might be an indication that you are being rushed through the process.

How soon are you expected to start working?

One of the final questions you should ask yourself before accepting an offer is “How soon do I have to start working?” This may seem like an odd question, but it is very important. If the company made you a job offer today, would you be able to start next week or next month? 

If not, you will have to negotiate with the company about a possible delay in starting. This might be difficult if you are in a job search and are being offered jobs from other companies as well.

You don’t want to be too picky about what your timing is, but you don’t want to accept a job offer that requires you to start immediately. 

When you receive a job offer, it is your chance to make a leap forward in your career. You can take control of your future and enjoy new opportunities with a new company while leaving your old job behind. 

Before accepting a job offer, make sure you know everything you can about the business, its culture, and the position you’re being offered. By asking yourself these seven questions, you can make sure you’re making the right decision and that you’re prepared for success in your new role.

💡You work hard and you deserve to be paid well. So how do you start the salary raise conversation with your boss? Find out here →