What to do With Your Job Offer

You did it – you were chosen and received a job offer, but what do you do now?  And, the question is even more difficult when you still have another offer you are waiting for – perhaps from the company you “really” want to work for. 

Leaving a job offer on the table can be dangerous and cause you to lose the opportunity.  There are several things that you should and should not do when you receive an offer… 

• Whenever you receive an offer, most likely there will be a timeline on that offer.  Remember, the company puts this timeline, because they want to rush the process along and get you working and off the market.  Thank them for the offer, and tell them you will contact them by their deadline.  Say nothing more, or less. 
• If there is another company on the table, you should go ahead and contact them.  Let them know you have received an offer and your timeline.  This is valuable information you are giving them, and letting them know you will be off the market upon acceptance. 
• Do not apologize to either company for taking the time to make your decision.   
• It typically does not work out well if you go back to the company that gave you the offer and ask for more time to decide.  Only use this as a last resort.  Most often this is a sign that you are truly not interested and they will actually begin working on their second option. 
• It is important that you remain confident with any offers you receive.  Be sure that you remain professional throughout the process. 

Whether you receive an offer from one company or multiple, it is important that you know what to do and what not to do when considering the offer made to you. 

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Write the Perfect Job Ad

Similar to how you spend less than a minute reviewing a resume, job candidates are spending about the same amount of time looking at your job advertisement.  This is why, it is so important that you write the perfect job ad to attract the type of candidates you are looking for. 

You have probably read multiple references regarding the proper elements of a job ad, but is your advertisement designed to grab the attention of the candidate within that first 30 seconds?  Here are the core components of a perfect job ad: 

• Title – make sure that your title is attention grabbing, yet clear.  Many job candidates do not even go past the job title, therefore, you must make sure it portrays the job.  Consider using keywords the candidate will use to search for the job, and try to stay away from using your internal job titles. 
• Summary – the introduction or summary is the most read part of the job ad.  It should be around 40 words, and include information on the culture and the function of the role. 
• Company Details – always include information and details about your company next.  Job candidates today are very interested in company culture.  Share your mission, vision, and opportunities. 
• Role Responsibilities – job candidates are looking for specifics about the role they are applying for.  Include a typical daily task list or key tasks performed daily.  Make sure you relate them to the company’s overall objectives and goals. 
• Ideal Candidate – yes, include what your ideal candidate looks like.  List the skills, education, experience, you are looking for.  Looking for specific personality traits – list those too. 
• Salary and Benefits – it is best to include a salary range, and a list of the job benefits and perks.  This way there is no question or shock when it comes time to discuss. 

Make sure your job ads have all of these elements, and make sure there are clear instructions on how to apply for the position. 

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Productivity Killers

Productivity is something every employer, hiring manager, and recruiter looks for in a good job candidate.  Unfortunately, many of us are distracted by everyday life and have trouble being productivity on a daily basis, and then how can we show this quality to our current or potential employer?  There are several productivity killers that you must avoid, such as: 

• Do you say yes to everything?  You are not alone.  Unfortunately, saying yes to everything can be very counterproductive.  People that always say yes, typically overextend themselves and find it difficult to complete anything.  You must learn to prioritize, learn to say no when warranted, and be flexible.  These are all qualities and skills that employers and hiring managers are looking for.   
• Do you write everything down or trust it to your memory?  While you may think you have an excellent memory, you will forget something.  The best prepared employees are those that write everything down.  Not only will this help you with staying on top of all tasks, put it will allow you to focus on other items more fully.   
• Is your email open all day, smart phone on all day?  Are you constantly available anytime?  This is very counterproductive.  You MUST set aside time where you are able to work on work, focus on yourself, and spend less time doing what everyone else needs.  Learn to set aside hour blocks, if necessary, where you do not allow any distractions at all – focus on work, you, or whatever task is at hand. 

It is important to realize that you cannot do it all.  While we all want to think we can, it is impossible.  Many studies have shown that because so many people believe this, those are the ones that are the most inefficient and most unproductive.  Know the productivity killers and make sure they are not apart of your daily routine. 

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Unique Places to Find Candidates

Talent acquisition can be difficult and your hiring process can suffer when you run out of qualified candidates.  Every hiring manager understands that the success of their business depends on their processes and their ability to hire new employees.  But, what can you do when you run out of qualified candidates?  Perhaps consider some of these unique places to find candidates: 

• Recent college graduates can provide an additional pool of candidates for you.  While some hiring managers and recruiters will grab these graduates immediately before even graduating, do not forget about the recent pool.  Many take a year off after graduating.  These candidates are often overlooked.  Take a second look – they may be just the candidate you are looking for. 
• Did you know that often your own customer or client base is a great pool for exceptional job candidates?  Again, another pool of candidates that is overlooked, these individuals already know and understand your product or service, and there is already an established relationship.  Include job listings in your communications to your customer base, your next best employee may already be a customer. 
• What do you do with the runner-up candidates from previous job searches?  Toss them aside?  Many successful hiring managers have created a sort of runner-up basket to keep these candidates active in their search.  Many keep a line of communication open with these candidates and when a position becomes open, they will give them the first opportunity.  Perhaps you need to look at some of your all most. 
• If you have some flexibility in your position, you should consider parents who are returning to work after caring for their children.  While many of these parents are only looking for part-time, or flexible hours, if you can accommodate, you will have a large, new pool of candidates to choose from. 

If you feel like you are having trouble finding qualified candidates, using your existing techniques, maybe it is time to consider some of these unique places to find the perfect candidate for your company. 

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