Managing & Accepting Job Offers

Juggling multiple offers

If you stand out to one employer, it's likely that you'll impress others too and you may have multiple offers on the cards. If you are lucky enough to be in this situation, here's a few tips on the best way to handle this...

• If you have an offer but you've still got interviews with other employers scheduled, don't ignore the first offer. Let your recruiter know the situation you're in and they can explain this to the employer and find out when a decision is needed by. Most employers will be reasonable if you are honest with them.
• If a recruiter needs a decision from you on a role, you have to go with your gut and make a decision. But... once you have accepted an offer you cannot later change your mind. Your acceptance is a contract between you and the employer.
• Remember to get feedback from all of the employers you are in process with, usually your recruitment consultant can get this for you and the feedback will always be useful for the future.

Negotiating the offer

Once you've been offered your dream role the pressure is off but it's important not to accept a job until you're happy with salary and benefits on offer. Hopefully the job offer is what you're looking for, but in a situation where it is lower than what you require, there's a few things to consider.

If you need to negotiate an offer, here's our advice on maximising your chances of getting the increase you're after:

• Prepare a list of your recent achievements proving your worth and how you can add value to the business. Give this to your recruitment consultant as strong evidence to present on your behalf.
• Remember to be realistic. The employer has shown that they want you to work for them but it’s important not to be overconfident at this stage and ask for too much. Ask your recruitment consultant for their advice to get an idea of industry averages of salaries for a role at your level and in your particular field.
• Keep the discussion professional. Whether it’s with your consultant or the employer, remember to stay calm and focused. Do not become emotional or talk about personal issues affecting your salary requirements.
• If your case for negotiation is strong enough you’ll hopefully get what you’re asking for. If the employer can’t increase the salary, it’s now time to either decline the offer or accept on the basis that your salary can be reviewed after you’ve spent a period of time with the company.
• Other forms of reward that could be negotiated aside from salary includes flexible working options, bonuses based on individual and company performance, parking, childcare vouchers, pension schemes, company phone or laptop and holiday allowance.

Accepting the offer

So you've got the offer for your perfect position and negotiated the best deal, well done you!

Before you rush into the accepting the offer, we recommend the following steps:

• First things first, always thank the person who has made the offer and let them know how pleased you are to be given the opportunity
• Ask your recruitment consultant if you can have a copy of the job offer in writing including the name of the position, your start date, the salary and any details on benefits. This makes your offer official and gives you a chance to review everything.
• When you are ready to accept, send written confirmation of your acceptance, reiterating all of the important details as you understand them. This is especially important if you have negotiated up from the initial offer.
• After you have accepted the offer it's time to make the next big step - handing in your notice at your current role and agreeing your notice period and finishing date
• Make sure you have received and signed all of the necessary contracts ahead of your start date and you have taken the time to read them thoroughly, understanding all of the terms and conditions of your employment.
• If there is a gap between accepting your new role and your start date, take the opportunity to get to know your future manager and team. Not only will this make a good first impression and show your enthusiasm, but it gives you chance to make some friends and work out where you'll fit into the business. It will also help with those first day nerves if you've already got some familiar faces to welcome you!