First of all, congratulations! Your hard work has finally paid off and you have received your job offer. Now you have three options in front of you:
Evaluate the offer
Once you have received some days to consider the job, think about all the benefits and perks. Ask yourself:
If you feel like this is not a job you want but still you are desperate and you need the job in a hurry then do consider that while evaluating too.
More than one offer
Measure the cons and pros of each position and weigh the options. Which one fits your future and may help you fulfill your goals? Always look for the long-term benefits from a job simultaneously as you consider the short-term advantages. The starting salary can be good, but does the job offer you opportunities to progress?
If you are waiting for another offer
Do not leave your employer waiting. Thank them for considering you and find out if you can take time to consider. Negotiate and reason for the deadline if there is a possibility. Most companies will acknowledge that you may have applied to multiple positions and obviously would not want to rush and choose an option only to regret it later. It is always better to ask for a deadline than just accepting the offer and then rejecting it. That does not look good, especially if you are searching for a job in the same industry.
Counteroffer
If the offered salary and facilities are below your expectations then consider a counteroffer. Acknowledge the offer and provide a counteroffer after researching the market. Include what you are bringing to the table and why you should be compensated the way you think you should. Be prepared for both acceptance or rejection, and make sure that whatever the outcome is, you take it professionally. There are a lot of ways to negotiate an offer in a healthy fashion and almost all of those options are dependent on how much you know the industry. So, research the market well. No one is going to give you extra if you don’t ask for it, just be sure that you don’t ask for anything that you can’t defend. You can negotiate for everything in that offer letter so review it carefully and then send your counteroffer in writing.
Accepting the offer
Most companies will expect you to sign and send the offer letter. Always go through all the basic conditions, job description, commencement date, salary, and all the other details before you sign. If you are already employed, do convey the message to your higher-ups and submit your resignation letter. If you receive a counteroffer, remember all the reasons you looked for a new job. Also, it would be better if you can let other employers know, especially the ones with whom you had interviews scheduled.
Declining the offer
Once you have decided that you have to let this opportunity go, then write an email thanking the employer for considering you, and politely decline the offer. It is not necessary to explain all the reasons why, but sending an email helps you maintain a positive relationship if you might apply to the company in the future.
In the new role
Fill out the onboarding paperwork asap. This will help you in getting onboard efficiently. Always remember to review the papers you are signing. Do not forget to connect. Whether they be your old coworkers or new ones, add them as LinkedIn connections and just keep connected. One never knows when one can get an opportunity from where. Avoid updating your job status until you join. Be prepared for the first day. Make sure that you know everything that’s expected of you, if there's a dress code, your identity card, etc.
In a nutshell: