As a college graduate, you’ve spent many years working hard for this day: the job offer. Whether your internship turned into a job opportunity or you had countless interviews with a handful of companies, a job offer is something to celebrate as it’s an important step in the rest of your life as a career woman.
Even if you’re certain that you want to say “yes” to the job, there are some things to consider before you fill out the paperwork and become an official employee.
Research The Company’s Reputation
You probably did some quick research on the company while filling out your application or prepping for your interview, but if you don’t know everything you need to know about your prospective employer, it’s time to do some research.
It might be hard to find information about the company, but you should be able to do an online search and find reviews from current or former employees. Although many of these reviews can be helpful (and are honest), some should be read with caution as it could just be an unhappy former employee trying to give the company a bad name.
Take a look at the company’s mission and background. Does it relate to your own beliefs (politically or ethically)? If the company’s history or current way of operating goes against some of your personal beliefs, it might not be the best fit for you. While personal life shouldn’t necessarily cross over into your professional life, you’ll have to decide how badly you want to work for the company.
Is Your Personal Wellness Valued?
As you get a job in the “real world” it’s important to find one that provides good benefits, which includes healthcare coverage. Before you accept the job, take a look at the coverage. Does it cover costs associated with women’s health or offer maternity leave?
Although benefits are often a “must,” check out some of the other ways that the company may value the wellness of their employees. Some examples may include an exercise facility on-site, yoga on breaks, an on-site masseuse, healthy snack or meal options, opportunities for volunteerism, and other wellness programs.
It’s also important to find out whether or not your potential employer has Workers’ Compensation Insurance for their employees. Whether you work in front of a computer all day or you do manual labor, you are at risk of being injured while on the job. Trips, slips, strains, sprains, and falls are some of the most common work-related accidents and often require days away from work.
Is There Room For Growth?
Before you accept a job with a company, it’s important to have a good idea of what you want from the job. Are you happy to stick with the position that’s offered to you or do you expect to see promotions and other opportunities with the company?
While there’s often no guarantee for promotions, you should have a good idea whether or not the company is the right place for professional growth.
Life Outside of Work
It’s not uncommon to put in some extra hours when you first get hired on, but you need to consider how much (if at all) your new job will infringe on your life outside of work. How often will you need to bring work home? Will you need to work on weekends? Does the job require traveling? How long will you spend commuting?
Every woman has a different idea of what life outside of work should look like, and for many, it’s just finding the right balance; don’t forget to make time for your personal life before you say yes to the job offer.
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