The challenges of evaluating employers and job offers

 

Evaluating future employers is not easy, and then evaluating any job offer that comes your way can be more challenging.

Whenever my industry colleagues speak to me about job offers and seek suggestions if they should go for it or let it pass – I normally hint at the need to look at the company, its culture and the role. I avoid the thought on compensation since generally the offer’s are made based on industry benchmarks, the company’s own compensation philosophy and benchmarks.

Well ! all said – the variables surrounding the decision is not just the list of three factors but a complex permutation of lots of related factors. I will try to organize and list some of the factors that to me seems a reasonable enough set that gives you a framework for decision making regarding the next job offer that comes your way.

Three big ticket – broad factors that should help you evaluate a Job Offer:

1. The Employer

2. The Job

3. The Work Environment

Another important factor – that allows a better foundation to your decision would be:

4. Policies & Processes

Getting down to details – more variables emerge and well your decision regarding a job opportunity needs to be based on a highly objective assessment on the various parameters keeping your own career expectations at the concerned phase in your career as the driver.

One level of detailing on the above factors:

1. The Employer – The Business, The Brand, The Growth Story, Culture, Employer Brand

2. The Job – Job Content, Freedom to Work, Decision Making, Challenges

3. The Work Environment – Boss, Reporting Relationships, Peers, Working Relationships

4. Policies & Processes – Business Processes, People Policies – Performance, Compensation, Growth.

 

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Praveen is the Founder & Principal Consultant of KHEdge, a boutique HR & Business Process Advisory firm. Over last 15 years he has advised & worked with promoters, founders, business leaders, HR leaders in areas of - Business Strategy, HR Strategy, Organisation Design etc.

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