How often have you seen people freak out when they receive a job offer? All the time, right? I mean, I have. Each time I’ve received an offer, I’ve ran around screaming at people, dogs, even caterpillars telling them how “amazing” and “perfect” the job and company is.
The last thing I want to do is burst your bubble, but sometimes that excitement and optimism can greatly cloud your vision, resulting in you accepting and starting a job that really isn’t for you.
It Happened To Me
Back in March 2009, I lost my job due to an acquisition. After spending the next 3 months traveling and getting my mind straight, I started my blog, Corn On The Job in July. Soon after that, an interesting start-up company contacted me about becoming their only employee – hook, line & sinker.
I was completely nutty banana party over this job. Maybe it was because they found me through my blog and that I never conducted a traditional job search. Maybe it’s because the words start-up and entrepreneur are crammed so far into our heads via the blogosphere. I just don’t know.
My start date was set for November 1st, but it was pushed back, and then pushed back again, and again, until suddenly it was the middle of January and I was still singing, “99 problems but a JOB ain’t one”. Maybe it was the wait. Maybe it was because I was performing unpaid side projects for the company. Maybe my excitement subsided and I could think clearer. For whatever reason, I changed my mind about the job. It wasn’t what I wanted, and it wasn’t what I needed anymore.
Two weeks before the company’s scheduled launch, I made the ,“I’m rejecting your offer, I apologize, but this is best for me”, phone call. It took nearly 4 months to realize I needed to go in a different direction, but like they say, it’s better late than never.
Don’t Get Your Panties in a Bunch
We all get excited when we receive a job offer. Try to keep yourself as calm as possible, and look at the offer from every angle. Here are some questions to ask:
- Is this the best job and offer for me?
- What other work options do I have?
- Do I like the people at this company?
- Do I match with the company culture?
- Am I financially stable enough to turn down the job?
Be honest with yourself about the questions above and you’ll never go wrong. We owe it to ourselves, and our employers to speak up about what we want and need. If your path doesn’t involve them, don’t hold back.
Speak up. Move on. Be happy.
Have you ever accepted a job, and then regretted it later? What is the worst job offer you’ve ever received? How do you approach receiving a job offer?
This is a fantastic post! My first comment on this site too…
I’ve made this mistake several times, perhaps it’s a lack of experience, or the excitement of the moment, the compensation… Either way it’s I think a lack of maturity on my part.
I think you get better at this when you’ve had several failed jobs… You get more picky and the stakes do get higher so you’re more careful.
What’s helped me is to keep remembering that this is a job. Also, that even if a job sounds good in paper, it may not translate as such when you’re there. So, it’s best to keep your eyes and mind open and evaluate the job as you go.
Again, thanks for the post!
Hi Jennifer – Thanks so much for your comments!
The maturity will come. No one is perfect early in their career. We all grow in this area of life. It is just a job, great point. Paper is paper, but when you can touch and feel the experience, that is when you’ll know if it is right.
Thanks!
Rich- thank you thank you for bringing this up. I wish I wouldve taken a minute or 5 to evaluate my job offers befre taking them in the past. I’ve
taken the wrong job more than once and it ends up sucking big time.
Nicole – thanks for the comment. It happens, to all of us. You will be great, wonderful things are coming your way. I know it!
Funny you ask those questions at the end. I was the sucker who accepted his first job offer out of college. I was so stoked at the opportunity to wear a suit to work every day and bring home a real paycheck that I never sat down and figured out exactly what I wanted out of a job or career. Thankfully it only took me 4 months to realize that I hated that particular field (municipal bond sales) and I got out of there. My next job endeavor was much more successful because I took the time to figure out what I wanted.
Hey Hugh – thanks for sharing your story! Don’t consider yourself a sucker! Maybe you picked the job for the wrong reasons, but you learned and improved your decision process the next time. Good for you! You’ll never make the same mistake again.
Thanks for leaving your comment!
Hi Rich – Just wondering what you are doing for work now? Or are you still looking?
I’ve only had two job offers out of school, and I accepted both. Been at my second job for the past 10 years, and i’m wondering if it’s time for a change.
Hey there, thanks for the comment. After I rejected the last job offer in January, I’ve come across a few leads. I’m looking for work now and looking for the right position.
What has kept you there for 10 years…? Something must be keeping you there!
Sounds good, good luck!
My job really interests me. The opportunity to learn something new NEVER ends, which is the major reason why I’m still there. I get to earn a few sheckles too.
But, 10 years is a long time, and perhaps it’s time for a change!
Thanks! If the challenges keep piling up, and the financial side is great as well, then maybe you should stay. Toss your name out there in a few searches and see what comes up, but maybe you should stay till the challenge fades or you become bored.
You are saying some great things about it…which is more than most people can say right now.
so true, espescially during downturns, people tend to jump on the first thing they get. not always the best move.
one should be weary also against the opposite happening, and the employer pulling the offer for whatever reason. having multiple options is always something to keep in mind.
Exactly, Vinay. People definitely jump on the first opportunity. Good point on the opposite side. Employers certainly do pull offers out sometimes out of nowhere.
Thanks for your comment.
Great post and very true! This would be a great topic for graduating seniors…do you do commencement speeches??? With the tight job market, I know so many people who have compromised and accepted a position because they were just happy to have a job offer. While taking a position because you need the income is an understandable compromise, I think it is really important to evaluate each offer critically. Do you really need to accept this particular position or can you hold out a little while longer? Are you running away from a bad situation or are you truly making a smart career move? After all if one person made you an offer, others are sure to follow!
Hey Sara – Thanks for the comment. I actually haven’t spoke at commencement speeches, but maybe I should!
You pose important questions that people should ask themselves. I know it is hard, I mean, I have been there. When folks are able to just relax a bit and see it from all angles, they can make the best decision on an offer.
Thanks for the comment!
I agree. Although, wait a second. Didn’t I just send you one of these e-mails?
This post is about me. Although, I admit that I did scream at the cat.
Hey Lance – hmm, I guess this sort of could be about you… I believe things worked out for you, and you are about kill it in your new opportunity though.
Apologize to the cat, please. :o)
I can totally relate to this post! I’ve had job offers before that I have eventually turned down. I think it’s the initial thought that “somebody wants me!” that really gets me. On the flip side, I’ve interviewed for jobs that I didn’t really want in the first place, but you still need to adopt the same mindset – it’s just a job offer. Even if it’s a great job, I don’t *have* to take it….sometimes the interview experience is what we need; sometimes that alone can propel us to the next position.
Great post!
Hey Eran – glad to have you here, thanks for the comment! Great point you make in that the interview experience is important. We need practice. All of us. Career experts need it as well. All jobs really are is a job. Sure, there are dream jobs out there, but if we don’t get one, then another one will come along. There is no “job soulmate”. We move on and find something that fits!
So, I’m going on a limb here, and I say this happens to more than just jobs. I am incredibly guilty of applying this to any big change for me. I get so excited about the change itself, how I feel about taking risks, that I miss other factors (that might be big fat red flags). Apartments are great examples. I’m all ready to make those big girl decisions about apartments that I end up ignoring my list. Yes, I have a list. But it’s necessary after all the bad choices I’ve made. Things like quiet neighbors and AC are requirements, and maybe the knobs on the cabinets can be flexible. But if I ignore the list, I know I’m always unhappy. This most recent move (other than the quiet neighbors part), I got everything on my list. Keeping an actual hard copy helped make the decision. The neighbors moved in after me, and I can’t really control that. But the list has been helpful. I imagine a list like that would be great for jobs, moves, large purchases, etc. Good one Rich!
Hey Emily – Thanks for the comment! Yes, I think this does apply to many things in life. Overexcitement can be a bad thing. I love passion and I love excitement, but people still need to look over their “list” like you mentioned and make sure that in the end it is an overall smart choice and one that can benefit them for a long period of time, when that excitement begins to fade.
Thanks for your thoughts on this, Emily!
Rich- Great post. Gives new meaning to if it sounds too good to be true, it might be. I have been unemployed for 13 months now, and although I have a husband who has great health insurance and supports us, I am not willing to just “accept” any job. It must be the “right fit” So the search continues!
Love the Panties in a bunch analogy!
Cheers!
Shennee
Hey Shennee – glad to see you here! I love how you are staying true to the “right fit”. It is important for your health and sanity to make sure where you spend your time is where you need/want to be. If your health insurance is kept intact, then keep up the search. Think positive. See yourself in that job. I know you, and I know you are closer and closer to that opportunity.
What’s a job offer? I don’t think I’ve ever had anyone come after me. I’ve always had to go after them. Wonder what that means? This is true of everything in life. We always get excited, when chances are good the bottom will fall out. It’s good to stay grounded and think clearly… And never regret your choices.
Hey Jewelry – Never regret choices, sure, but that is easier said than done if you start with a company that you shouldn’t be with. Life is a roller coaster, you’ll find the most successful people know how to harness their excitement and use it only when warranted. Thanks for the comment
Rich — I made the mistake before, though I actually joined with the company before I realized it was the completely wrong move. It didn’t take long before I was out of there.
I learned that there really is nothing better than the right opportunity. The gravitas of a role (the company’s reputation, the job title, and, especially for a sales role, the “earning potential”) shouldn’t be the factor in the switch. Take a step back, envision the challenges you’d face in the role, and let all of that sink in before you sign on the dotted line.
Great call.
Hey Albert – Great words of wisdom here. You’ll never make that mistake again after living through it. Sometimes, all the advice in the world won’t facilitate learning as much as going through it and experiencing an “uh oh” moment.
Thanks for your comment here!
I love your posts, Rich, seriously! You are absolutely right. An offer doesn’t mean endless happiness, job security, wealth or success, it’s just an offer.
I admire you for going out on a limb and attempting the start-up. Sometimes you DO have to put forth some uncompensated work but only if you sense that the benefits will be worth it in the future.
You will find your route – the start-up wasn’t right for you. Whatever you DO end up doing will help you shine 🙂
Hey Lindsey – Thanks. People sometimes just don’t see clearly when they receive an offer. Sometimes their excitement pushes them right through the “thinking” stage.