What to do when everybody wants you

Evaluating the first offer can be a daunting affair. Natalie Kuan walks you through the different components of a job offer, evaluating it and rejecting it without burning your bridges.

Salary and benefits

Thanks in part to the Internet; it is relatively easy to determine whether an offered salary is competitive nowadays. Use salary surveys offered by major recruitment agencies such as Hays and Michael Page to get a gauge of the average pay for your position. Look up the annual Graduate Employment Survey conducted by the Ministry of Education to find out the average starting salaries of your peers.

Tap on your social network. Speak to your professor and find out what range of salary his students received last year. Chat with seniors in the same industry who can shed light on the current hiring trends.

Determine how often salary reviews are handled, and your potential for salary growth. Salary reviews are typically conducted yearly. Bonuses are normally determined by both the company and personal performance, find out the average range, but note that bonuses are variable.

Besides evaluating base pay, consider the fringe benefits. Find out the number of vacation days, paid medical and hospitalisation leave offered, as well as any group medical insurance that covers all or a portion of your medical bills.

Job scope

The nature of your job is crucial, because this will be the foundation of your career. Ask yourself if you are interested in the product or service you will be working on. If you prefer a desk-bound job, but the position requires you to travel around to meet clients, you might not enjoy your job in the long run.

Your boss and co-workers

Although it is hard to gauge your future boss’s working personality straightaway, ask yourself if you can work and get along with this person based on initial conversations. You will want to feel comfortable with his or her interpersonal and management style and work for a supervisor who is capable and interested in your growth. Without a boss who is committed to helping you learn and succeed, other benefits might not be worth as much. Similarly, get a sense of your co-worker’s personalities and find out if you can fit into the company culture.

Typical work hours and office location

Find out the hours of a typical work-week and balance your other commitments to family, friends and outside activities. Will you prefer a less hectic job if you have other more important considerations? Similarly, commuting time to and from work might make a difference during peak hours or if you are working shifts.

Organisational culture
It is equally important to feel comfortable in the environment that you are going to be working in. This covers more than just the dress code and office amenities. Consider the company's size and culture. Most importantly, do the company's values match yours? It can be hard to get a feel of the work environment in a formal interview. Speak to seniors who might be in the same company or industry to get a clearer overview.

Getting an offer does not necessarily mean you will need to agree to it on the spot. You will probably be given a week to make up your mind. Weighing the advantages and disadvantages of the job will help you make a more informed decision rather than deciding on impulse. 

Rejecting a job offer tactfully

It is much easier to turn down an offer now than to leave a job a few months down the road. The employer would prefer that you decline, rather than start the hiring process again. Drop your hiring manager and the recruitment team an email explaining your decision politely and succinctly. Thank them for the job offer, and let them know your decision not to take it up. Do not accept the job offer verbally, and then retract your decision later as this will make you look indecisive.

Keep in mind, that if this is not the right job for you, the next offer might be the right match.