Receiving a job offer can be exciting, particularly when you’ve been engaged in a job search for a while. But you don’t want to just jump at the first offer you receive. Take the time to understand what the role involves and confirm it’s actually what you’re looking for before accepting the offer.
We highlight some important questions you should ask to fully understand what the job entails, what your work-life balance will look like, how this new role fits with your professional development, and what the company offers job seekers like you.
10 questions to ask your potential employer before accepting a job offer
Before accepting a job offer, make sure you’re asking the right questions to get a better idea of what the position involves, what the company expects of you, and if you’re the right fit. The last thing you want is to accept a job that doesn’t align with your expectations.
Always begin the job discussion with a sincere thank you for receiving the offer and then move to information-gathering mode. We explore 10 key questions to ask your potential employer to help you get started.
What is the exact start date?
Employers typically understand that you need to give at least two weeks’ notice at your current job. A potential employer who wants you to start immediately and won’t allow you to give sufficient notice at your other job might be waving a red flag regarding their flexibility and company culture. On the other hand, a potential employer who’s hesitant to give a date may be dealing with internal issues that could cause problems in actually moving forward with the hire.
On top of a verbal start date confirmation, make sure your offer letter includes the agreed start date so everyone is on the same page. Once that date is confirmed, you can decide when to give official notice at your old job.
What should I expect with the onboarding process?
Onboarding can ensure you’re fully prepared for your new job, but the process tends to vary from company to company and by work arrangements, such as in-office or remote. To give you a better idea of what to expect, ask your new employer to explain:
- Who you can look to as a mentor. This includes who will walk you through your onboarding and who you should turn to when you have questions.
- Where you can expect to receive company information. Know if there will be a handbook to study or files to review.
- What type of training you’ll receive. Make sure you receive an overview of your position from someone who knows the role well and can answer your questions.
- What tools, materials, and clearances you’ll receive. A productive start with the computer, phone, and system access can make a world of difference in how effectively you get started on the job.
Who will be reaching out to me on the first day?
Knowing who’ll be reaching out to you on the first day can help eliminate new job anxiety and give you an idea of what to expect. For example, if someone from human resources (HR) will be contacting you, you can probably expect to review company policies and processes. Meanwhile, if you’re expecting to connect with a direct manager, you might be meeting other team members right away as well.
This information also gives you a chance to look up the person on a platform like LinkedIn to get a better understanding of their work role.
How long is the trial period for this role?
Some positions might be on a trial basis, in which you fill the role during a probationary period so the business can see how well you perform in the role before making the offer permanent.
You may find this trial period useful because during these first days you can assess whether the position fits you. On the other hand, you may be paid less, and you may not receive employee benefits.
Ensure you understand all the details of the trial period before accepting a job offer, including how long it lasts, what the company expects of you during this time, and how the company will evaluate you.
I already have vacation trips planned. Will it still be OK to take time off if I accept the role?
Some potential employees get themselves in trouble because they forget about that fantastic three-week trip they already paid for when they accept a new position. Ask about any time you already know you need to take off before you sign on the dotted line.
You may have worked to a position of seniority in your prior company that entitles you to more than a minimum number of vacation days. If so, find out what options you have to maintain that level of vacation days in this new job rather than falling to the entry-level standard.
Can we explore a slightly higher starting salary?
One survey found that as many as 90% of organizations surveyed were open to negotiating salaries, which is more than twice as many that were open to negotiating bonuses or other aspects of the compensation package.
To succeed, come to this conversation prepared. Research the job title on sites like Glassdoor so that you can have data that works in your favor. Make sure you avoid sharing too much information about previous salaries or giving specific numbers too early in the job interview process, which can make it hard to negotiate later.
Instead, once you receive a formal offer, you can ask to discuss a slightly higher salary based on the compensation expected with your experience and within your geographical area. Let the hiring manager know that you’re interested in the opportunity and how you hope to help the company.
When do I have to give you my decision?
When job hunting, most professionals apply to multiple positions at a given time. This can result in a situation where you receive one job offer, but you also want to consider other potential opportunities. However, you don’t want to take so long to get back to the first employer that they rescind their offer. Ask them when you have to give them a decision.
What are the options for remote work?
If being able to work remotely full time or at least a few days of the week is important to you, bring up the topic before accepting the job. While many companies offer remote opportunities, you won’t want to make assumptions and find out after you’re on the job that you have to be in the office more than you’d like.
Can you explain your PTO policy in more detail?
Your job offer letter will likely provide information on personal time off (PTO), things like vacation time and any sick leave policies, but you want to ensure you fully understand it. For example, will you receive all your sick days and vacation time at the start of each year, or do you earn hours each pay period?
What happens if you have unused vacation days—do they roll over to the next year?
Find out if the company has any policies that dictate when workers can take vacation time. For example, there might be restrictions on how many people from one department can take vacation days at the same time.
Will I receive benefits immediately?
Ask for clarification about when benefits kick in. While required benefits like workers’ compensation and Social Security go into effect on the first day, optional benefits like health insurance are typically available within 90 days. This information is very important to help you plan to avoid a lapse in coverage.
Request a breakdown of dental, vision, and health insurance plan payments. Know what the yearly deductible and monthly premiums are. Ask how much of the premium you’ll need to pay from your own paycheck. Review what the company will pay for a family premium if you need it.
Understand what other benefits are provided, such as dependent care, education assistance, retirement contributions, and flexible spending accounts. Recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) show that benefits account for 30 to 40 percent of employee total compensation. Don’t overlook this important area.
10 questions to ask yourself before accepting a job offer
In addition to asking your potential employer questions after receiving a job offer, you should ask yourself questions before accepting the offer. Give yourself time to do some self-assessment and critically analyze the job offer and all the responses you received to the employer questions.
Does this job offer the changes I’m seeking?
Review what your dream job entails. Consider what has driven you to look for a new job in the first place. Know what you want to change about your professional role and responsibilities.
For example, if you want a job that pays more or offers career development opportunities, ensure the new job can meet those needs. If you don’t ask yourself this question, you could accept a position that you end up leaving sooner than you thought.
Does the opportunity excite me?
Changing jobs is a big deal. You’ll need to insert yourself into an entirely new organizational culture and acclimate yourself to a new position and responsibilities. If the position doesn’t excite you in the beginning, chances are it won’t satisfy you over time.
Some good follow-up questions might be:
- Will I have the chance to learn new skills that interest me?
- Does this position give me the chance to showcase new skills that excite me?
- Will this opportunity benefit me professionally in the long term?
- Can I see myself working for this business for a long time?
- Does the mission of the business excite me?
What do other employees say about the company?
What business leaders say and what employees say about the business sometimes differ. Use sites like Glassdoor to better understand how people feel about the job, such as advancement and growth opportunities, internal expectations, and the day-to-day experiences of the business.
Remember that hiring managers want to present their organizations in the best possible light. It’s good to have a real feel for the company from other perspectives before agreeing to work there.
Is there a sense of stability?
You don’t want to quit your current job to work for a company that might close or eliminate positions in the next few years. Be sure to evaluate the stability of the position itself. Consider whether the business will offer a stable team and set of responsibilities. Shifting job roles, especially if you’re expected to take on more tasks without additional pay, can create a stressful work situation.
Does my commute seem manageable?
Don’t overlook details like your commute. A job might check all of the boxes in other ways, but it might not be worth it if you’re spending a lot of time and money getting to and from work. If you commute by car, factor in the costs associated with greater wear and tear on your vehicle on top of basic fuel costs. If you commute by train or subway, know your costs for round-trip tickets.
Be honest with yourself regarding your commute flexibility. Know how long you’re willing to commute in both directions before it becomes too much.
If you’ve been working remotely and will now be asked to be in the office full time, think about how that change will affect your productivity and work-life balance.
Do I believe this role will challenge me?
A challenging position can make a big difference in job satisfaction. In fact, employees who feel challenged tend to be more engaged. Ask yourself:
- Will I have the chance for new experiences in this role?
- Will I get to learn and showcase new skills?
- WIll this job encourage critical thinking and exploring concepts in new ways?
You want a position that will motivate you and help you grow as a professional.
Did I enjoy talking to the interviewer?
You’ll often have the chance to speak with your immediate supervisor and other key personnel who will manage your position during the job interview process. Consider the initial impression you received of these professionals. Since you’ll likely work with them regularly, this relationship will have a big impact on your happiness with the job.
Are growth opportunities available?
Many professionals want to find jobs that offer opportunities for advancement. In fact, 94% of employees say they would stay at a job longer if the employer invested in their career development.
Ensure your position fits with your professional career goals. See how often the company promotes internally and the types of career tracks you can work toward.
You might ask these follow-up questions:
- Does this job offer training or learning opportunities related to leadership or my industry specifically?
- Will this job help me learn new tasks or develop skills to take on new responsibilities?
- Does the business offer any type of mentorship opportunity?
- Are there any educational assistance programs?
- Does the business culture promote regular training and feedback?
Do I think I’ll fit in with the company culture?
As you investigate the company culture, think carefully about how it aligns with your personal values.
- Do the company’s ethical values and social responsibilities align with my own?
- Does this company have a start-up culture where everyone collaborates regardless of title? Do I need an environment with more defined roles so I know what’s expected of me?
- Is this company driven toward innovation and always finding “the next big thing?” Do I struggle with the intensity and stress an “always-on” environment can bring?
Consider the leadership styles and management styles encouraged within the company. For example, you might find the environment frustrating if the company calls for a lot of bureaucracy and checks to move forward with even small tasks and you prefer to work independently.
Did I ask for everything in writing?
Get everything about your job offer in a formal offer letter. This will help you in multiple ways. First, it ensures that every promise made or verbal agreement struck is now supported with indisputable evidence. If your boss promised you the ability to work from home one day per week but doesn’t put it in writing, they could walk back on it later.
Secondly, a written summary provides you with all the information you have about the job. This will help you keep all the information straight as you evaluate your job offer, especially if you’re comparing it with one or more other job offers.
Get as much information as you can
Before you sign on the dotted line, you want to ensure that this position is the right job for you. Asking key questions can help you better assess your opportunities.
