Receiving the Job Offer

All your hard work, your skills, your experience and interviewing has paid off. The company wants to offer you the job. Job offers can come in many ways. They can come by phone, the employer may call and ask you to come back to the company and some have actually received the offer in a letter. However you receive a job offer, be enthusiastic. This is important even when what has been offered may not be what you are expecting. There will be a time of negotiations. Make your first reaction a positive one. It is very hard to undo a negative reaction.

It is fine to hear the offer verbally, but do not respond immediately unless you understand every aspect of the offer. If the offer seems to be exactly what you were looking for be sure that you understand all the details. Unless it is a contract position, you should not give them an answer immediately. Make sure that have a good offer before answering. Tell them you will get back to them within a defined time period.

A GOOD Job Offer should include:

• A description of the position


• A good understanding of your responsibilities


• Salary


• Benefits and their cost to you


• Start Date
  

Areas to consider before accepting a job offer:
Most of this is usually done before you receive the actual offer but if the offer were to come very quickly make sure you consider:

• Does the position fit with my career goals or career path that you are looking to follow?


• Will the position offer you enough challenge? If you are not challenged, you will be looking for another job within a relatively short period of time.


• Do you understand the whole scope of your responsibilities?


• If you have to relocate, will they pay relocation or what part?


• If you have to relocate, have you checked out the cost of living and made the appropriate salary conversation?


• Will the salary allow me to keep my current standard of living?


• Is there a yearly bonus? How is it determined?


• What are my promotional opportunities in this position?


• Have you checked out the company and its stability?


• What is the benefits package? What is it going to cost you?
  

Negotiate
Many people feel that the only area to negotiate is salary. That is not true. There are many areas that are potentially negotiable. They can include:

• Salary


• Moving expenses


• Start Date


• Stock Options


• Signing Bonus


• Performance Bonus


• Vacation

Make your decision
Finally, when you are comfortable and ready to accept an offer, contact the employer by phone and let them know of your decision. Let them know that you are excited and would like the entire offer in writing. Let them know as soon as you receive the letter you will send them a signed copy and that you would also like a signed copy.

If you decide to decline an offer, contact the employer by phone. It is always a good idea not to burn any bridges in the event you choose to join that company at a later time.

The Interview Follow-up Letter

A follow-up letter after having an interview should be thought of as more than just a thank-you letter. It is another opportunity to sell yourself. It is important to thank the interviewer for the time that they spent with you. But you also need to reiterate your interest in the job.

The follow-up letter is also good time to let them know that you feel your skills and experience will make you a good fit for the position that you interviewed for. If thought about something that you should have said during the interview but forgot, you can include it in the letter.

Do NOT make the follow-up letter too long.


The general format of the letter should be;

· Address the letter to the person that interviewed you (if more than one person, send a separate letter to each).
· State your appreciation
· Express your interest in the position that you were interviewed for
· Briefly state why you would be a good fit for the position
· Provide any pertinent information that you forgot during the interview.
· Let them know you are looking forward to hearing from them soon
· Thanks them again

Sample Letter:

April 11, 2008

Mr. Charlie Horse

Domain Accessories Inc.
110 New Way Ave
Broken Bow, MN 50021

To Mr. Charlie Horse

I'd like to thank you for the time you spent talking with me about the Web Developer position at Domain Accessories Inc. I am very excited about this position and convinced that my Web Development skills and experience would make me a strong member of your team.

I realized after the interview that I did not mention that I actually started in the Information Technology field by doing JAVA programming before switching over to the .Net technologies.

If you need any further information, please feel free to contact me.

Again thank you for taking the time to meet with me. I will be looking forward to hearing from you.

Tony Allthere
222.555.1211 home
222.553.2211 cell


Do I have to send a Follow-up Letter?
No, but it may make the difference in you getting the position. If you and another candidate are both under consideration for the position and you send the letter and the other candidate does not, the letter may be the thing that sways the employer in your direction.

Should I send the letter US Mail or Email?
I know that some seasoned staffing people still feel that a handwritten letter is more impressive and shows more thought and that is okay. I personally believe that an email is quicker and more efficient. It will get there quickly, it will not get lost in the company mail. I especially feel that if the position is in the Technology area that an email is more in effective.

The Interview

Your resume and cover letter has gotten the interest of the prospective employer. They have requested an interview with you. Here are some Interview Tips that will help to be successful through this process.


Preparation Checklist

Have a summary of your background prepared and rehearsed.
Have your resume with you. If you have updated it recently be sure the interviewer has the updated version.
Have notes about the opportunity that you are being interviewed for.
Visit the company website.
Bring a calendar with you so you can to make any necessary appointments.
Have a note pad and 2 working pens.
Have any certifications, references or reference letters ready in case you are asked.


DO…
If English is your 2nd language, remember to speak up, speak slowly and pause briefly after each sentence.
Know what the company does (products, services, market).
Know what position they are calling about.
Use formal names until told otherwise.
Be positive and enthusiastic.
Have a note pad on the seat of your car and take a minute after the interview to write down any questions that you may have or any points you forgot to make.

DON’T…
Don’t ramble on or give life history.
Don’t ask questions about money, benefits, holidays, etc.; avoid the “What’s in it for me?” on the first interview unless the interviewer brings it up.
Don’t be negative about past employers, experiences, and the economy of your current situation. If you smoke, use a breath mint before the interview.
Don’t chew gum during the interview.
Don’t leave conversations open-ended.


If it is a PHONE Interview


If possible, avoid (static) cell phones.
If you are being called by the interviewer, rework your answering machine tape to avoid cutesy, humorous or offensive messages.
Disengage total phone before the call.
Avoid distractions – find a quiet location to take the call (no Radio, TV, children or pets in background).
Don't use a speaker phone

Arrange for a face-to-face interview! Ask for a date and time! Ask for a contact person.
Remember no one gets hired over the phone!

GOOD QUESTIONS…
Tell me about a typical day.
Tell me about your department.
How many people in the department? Who do they interface with? How long has the average employee been there?
What is your background?
How long have you been there?
How does my background compare to what you are looking for?
What aspects of my background are most interesting to you?
What kind of career path is there?
What’s our next step in the process?


REMEMBER: If you are interested TELL THEM!