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5 Essential Questions to ask Before You Accept any Job Offer

28-11-2019
Job seeker advice

In the excitement of receiving a job offer it can be easy to accept on the spot without finding out the answers to some important things.

You might wonder why it’s so crucial to ask these questions before accepting. The answer; verbally accepting a job offer can be a legally binding contract. Rescinding the offer once you have accepted an offer is highly frowned upon.

If you’ve found the job through a recruitment provider they are unlikely to trust you in future and you’ll be placed at the bottom of their list of candidates to put forward to employers.

If you haven’t gone through a recruiter you will be responsible for having that conversation with the employer directly which is unlikely to be a positive one. Having already accepted the offer, the business will have stopped looking for candidates and will now be left in the lurch with you changing your mind.

To avoid finding yourself in this uncomfortable situation, we’ve compiled a list of questions you should ask your future employer before saying yes.

What salary and benefits will you be entitled to?

Establishing what you’ll be paid prior to accepting a job offer is essential as once that contract has been signed it’ll be virtually set in stone. It’s always good to research similar roles at different companies to determine what they pay their staff so you can determine what is reasonable and use this as leverage when negotiating. If you are in a commission based role such as a Car Sales Executive, find out how the commission structure works and what your potential earnings might be so that you can make an informed decision. Some businesses might offer a company car, flexible working plus other benefits, other businesses might not. Be sure to ask the right questions because the answer may impact your decision to accept or decline!

What will your schedule look like?

In most job roles across the Motor Trade there is an expectation to work weekends. This could be every weekend or on rotation, it will vary from business to business. You’ll need to find out your schedule before accepting to ensure it works for you and your personal circumstances. In addition, your circumstances may mean you are interested in opportunities for overtime so this is the chance to find out whether there will be any and how you’ll be paid for it. You’ll also want to find out what holidays you are entitled to and what their policy is around sick leave. These are all key factors which could make you choose to work for a competitor.

What will your responsibilities include?

You are likely to have a broad understanding of what the role entails from the job description and interview process but do you know what your goals will be or what the timeframes are for you to hit them? Some people will want to know the finer details around what a typical day will look like and all of this information is very useful for making a final decision. If you do accept the offer, ask for written confirmation of your responsibilities in case you need to refer to them at a later date.

Will there be opportunities for progression and development?

Climbing the career ladder is important to most employees so it’s fair to ask questions that will determine whether you’ll be able to do so with a new employer. Ask how long it usually takes for people to progress and whether the person last in the job moved up in the business or left the position to go elsewhere. The answers to these types of questions should give you an insight into the scope for progression at this company. It is also worth asking whether there will be opportunities for you to be trained in new skills. The Automotive industry is incredibly fast paced and innovative with so many new technologies being introduced to the market. Find out whether you’ll get the chance to gain knowledge and skills in these innovations.

What is the company culture like?

It’s becoming more common for employers to take on candidates who match their culture even if they don’t have all the required skills for the role. That’s because skills can be taught but finding people with the morals, beliefs, attitude and personality traits that fit the business is much harder.  Factors which contribute to a company's culture include the structure of teams, the values that define the business and its approach, management styles, dress code and more! Fitting into a company’s workplace culture usually leads to higher productivity, better job satisfaction and longevity so it’s important you can see yourself flourishing within the environment before accepting the job.

Our friendly and professional team understand that the recruitment process can be overwhelming and will spend time understanding your personal requirements before we put you forward for any roles. It’s our goal to find you the Perfect Placement so we will happily ask an employer any questions you require the answer to, leaving you to focus on making the right decision for you.

We’ve helped 1000’s of candidates secure their dream job so don’t hesitate in contacting our team today!