interviews, and landed the job you’ve been chasing. You’ve finally received that coveted offer letter. But don’t get too excited yet.
“It’s sad to say that there are so many things you need to be aware of and careful of in something that should be very exciting for you,” says Kylie Cimmino, a consultant with HR
’s about making sure that you’re covering yourself and you’re prepared for all of the minutiae that is included in that offer.”
So, before you answer your would-be employer with a resounding “Yes!” ask these five questions first:
Is this really the right position for you?
Paraphrasing actor Sally Fields’s iconic Oscar speech, it’s not uncommon to get caught up in the feeling of “They like me! They really like me!” and not think through whether this is truly the best job or offer for you. “Sometimes a job offer doesn’t fit, even though you applied for the role hoping it would. Take a moment and determine if this is really the job you are looking for,” says Paul Wolfe, senior vice president of human resources for
Think about the role and how it fits into your career plans. And, if you haven’t already, look into the company and its culture to see if this is a place where you really want to work. Sites like Glassdoor, Indeed, and others have reviews by employees that give a glimpse into the strengths and weaknesses of the company. Use your personal and professional networks to get a sense of what it’s really like to work for the company. If you don’t know anyone personally, it’s likely you’re just a contact or two away from someone who can give you more insight, Wolfe says.
Are there contingencies or conditions?
Some offers are contingent on a variety of factors, including background or drug tests, reference checks, or willingness to sign a noncompete or other agreement. Review these contingencies carefully and consider whether any of them may surface issues from your past or may not be something to which you’re willing to agree, says Colleen Drennen Pfaller, founder of HR consulting firm
Sometimes, the contingencies are assumed and may not be in the offer letter, she says. “[If] it’s spelled out, great. But if it’s not, you want to follow up and ask,” she says. Certainly, have that conversation before you give notice at your current employer. For example, if there is a signing bonus, do you need to remain at the job a certain period of time to keep it or do you need to pay it back? These are all factors that you should understand before accepting the job offer.
If you suspect that something like a background check wiit may be a good idea to broach the topic first, or at least have an explanation ready if it comes up, Cimmino adds. For example, if you take a prescription medication that may show up in a drug test, be prepared to address the issue, she says.
Is everything you want in the offer?
Read the offer carefully to ensure tha
Wolfe says. Or, if there are additional concessions or add-ons—for example, additional paid time off, moving allowance, subsidized parking, etc.—that you’re seeking, set up a time to talk with your prospective employer. “Negotiating terms of the offer is a standard practice. You want to ensure that everything you were promised or expected is in that letter before signing on the dotted line,” he adds. Once you’ve accepted the offer, it can be difficult to go back and claim that you’re due something that was previously discussed, but not formalized in the offer.
What is the timing?
In addition, be sure you understand details that will affect your transition from job to job, including timing, Cimmino says. If you’re not starting your new job for a few weeks or if there will be a gap between when you leave your old job and start the new one, think about how you will bridge any health insurance or payroll gap. Be sure you understand when you are eligible for benefits such as health insurance, 401(k), and time off at the new company.
What impact will this job have on my family?
If your new role will require changes in your lifestyle, salary, hours, or other factors that may affect your family members, include them in the discussion
too. For example, if you’re taking a pay cut or if the job requires more travel such changes will affect your spouse and children. It’s a good idea to be sure everyone’s on board, Wolfe says.
“While ultimately, the decision whether to take a job is the candidate’s, in many cases, their decision impacts others around them,” he adds. “Take time to consider and talk with your family about how this new position impacts everyone.”
fascinating but complicated time in which settlers from England forged a proud new identity. These new settlers brought the English language with them when they came, and whenever English finds a new home, it often takes on a new life. America was no exception. Here are 15 slang words that were recorded in and around this period of American history.
In you lived in a country town in Colonial-era New England and someone asked how you were doing, you might have replied, “I’m pretty
Cat’s-Paw, or to Be Made a Cat's-Paw out Of
What It Meant: To be a dupe, to be used as a tool.
This colorful expression fable, The Monkey and the Cat, where a monkey persuades a cat to pull chestnuts out of a fire, promising the cat its share. Spoiler alert: The cat doesn't get any. So to be used for someone else's gain is to be made a "cat's paw out of."
3. Chuffy
What It Meant: Surly or impolite
If someone is short with you, tell them they don’t have to be It’s a strange, old word with obscure origins, and one that sounds a bit softer than “jerk.”
4. Scranch
What It Meant: To crack something between your teeth
Though this apparently term sounds like it was named after what it sounds like to crack something with your teeth, it supposedly comes from the Dutch word, schransen.
Do you ever feel like health insurance is confusing on purpose? There is so much jargon and so many acronyms. It's tempting to just close your eyes and point at a plan, hoping that it's in your budget and covers the stuff you'll need it for.
But putting in a bit of time to learn what these health insurance terms mean can empower you to better understand what signing on to a plan might mean for your budget and your health.
Now's the time to get in there because fall is open enrollment season. Whether you're picking a plan for the first time, you're in a plan that doesn't work for you, or you're uninsured and want to see if you have any workable options — this is your chance to sign up f
The first piece of advice is this: Don't do an online search for "I need health insurance" and expect the internet to help you out. That's an easy way to end up on sketchy websites or bombarded with ads and phone calls. Instead, figure out where to go — based on your age, job, income — and go straight there to find a plan.
CHIP stands for Children's Health Insurance Program and provides affordable coverage for kids in low-income families. In some states, it's part of the state's Medicaid program, and in some states, it's a standalone program. Children might be eligible for CHIP even if their parents don't qualify for Medicaid. Routine doctor and dental checkups are free under CHIP. Like Medicaid, you can apply for coverage
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