Salary and Job Offers

Evaluate your job offer and research the market to be sure you’re getting what you want.

Evaluating the offer means that you must consider what is important to you. No matter how pleased you are with the offer, it’s still wise to delay your acceptance for a short time so that you can objectively evaluate the offer in relation to your personal and career goals. When the offer is made, ask the employer for the latest reasonable date by which they would like your reply. This is new ground for you, so don’t hesitate to contact a Career Advisor for help.

The following are some guidelines from the National Association of Colleges and Employers.

Considerations

Consider these factors when evaluating a job offer:

Responsibilities and tasks of the job.
Working conditions (colleagues, supervisor, size of organization, organizational culture).
Training and development opportunities.
Salary, salary review, and increases.
Frequency of performance reviews (potential for salary increase).
Benefits (i.e., relocation allowance, vacation, leave, insurance, retirement savings plan, profit sharing, tuition reimbursement, professional membership, and association activities, etc.).
Geographic location; cost of living.
Number of hours expected in a typical work day/week.
Parking/transportation costs.
Travel on the job.
Lifestyle that the job will involve.

Negotiating

Negotiating an offer can include items such as the salary, start date, benefits, job responsibilities, title, relocation allowance, and (sometimes) a signing bonus. It is also common to negotiate the time frame in which you must accept or reject the offer itself. If a job offer is made over the phone, it should then be confirmed by the employer in writing. Assess whether the compensation package (salary and benefits) meets your financial needs and whether it is at the market rate for the job in your geographic area. Review these resources for researching and comparing salaries in different industries and geographic areas.

If the salary is not at market rate, you may wish to ask if the salary is negotiable. Remember—when evaluating or comparing offers, consider the net value of all monetary benefits and expenses (the total compensation package). Benefits such as health insurance, retirement contributions, and tuition reimbursement for graduate studies can add, in value, as much as 25-40 percent to the stated salary. On the other hand, factors such as cost of living for that geographic area or transportation costs might significantly decrease your net income.

Review Period vs. Negotiation

Often, negotiating salary as an entry-level employee is not possible immediately. But sometimes a 60-day, 90-day, or 120-day performance review and pay raise possibility might be an option. So, if salary negotiations are not an immediate option, you might ask about the time frame and frequency of future salary/performance reviews. You might also inquire about annual bonuses and benefits such as association membership, tuition reimbursement for future education, or travel. Also, in some cases it may be appropriate to ask whether the employer offers a signing bonus (depending on the industry and competitiveness of the position).

Review these researching and comparing salaries by industry and geographic regions, the market rate for jobs, and other information such as cost-of-living estimates, salary calculators, etc. Career Advisors are also available to meet with you to help guide you through this process.

Multiple Offers

Explain your situation to the employer and reaffirm your interest in the offered position, but also express that you wish to carefully evaluate the other offer(s). Keep in mind the importance of preserving your positive relationship with your future employer throughout the negotiation process. Here are some helpful guidelines from the National Association of Colleges and Employers.

Delaying Your Response

If you are not ready to accept an offer, it is appropriate to ask for more time. You may have other offers to consider, or you may simply be unsure whether the offer is a good fit for you. However, also be mindful that the employer is working under a certain hiring timeline. Ultimately, the match between you and the employer will be best if you can take the time up front to evaluate properly.

Accepting or Declining the Offer

Whether you accept or decline the offer, certain etiquette and other considerations come into play.

Accepting the Offer

Verbally confirm your acceptance of the offer and follow up with a written confirmation letter that reiterates salary, start date, and position title.
Express your appreciation for the offer and convey your enthusiasm for joining the organization.
If applicable, specify when you will meet additional conditions of employment, such as completing a medical exam or sending required documents.
As soon as you officially accept an offer, you should withdraw your candidacy from all other employers. If you are participating in Middlebury’s on-campus recruiting, this is a requirement.
Once you have accepted an offer, please also notify career services staff of your good news!

Declining the Offer

Verbally decline the offer, then also send a well-written letter thanking the employer for their efforts in recruiting you and for the offer.
Explain (generally, not in great detail) why the other offer you are taking better matches your needs or desires at this point in time; but express your sincere appreciation for the opportunity to interview (contact a career adviser if you would like assistance in drafting this letter).
Remember, even though you are declining their offer now, it’s always a good idea to keep keep the door open for a possible future connection with the organization!

Ethical Considerations

Accepting a job offer and then continuing your job search for a better offer may seem like savvy strategy. but it’s not. In fact, it is considered unethical to keep yourself on the market once you have made a commitment to an employer. If, for example, the employers are Middlebury alumni working in the same field, they probably will know each other and you may lose both offers.

Your acceptance to any employer is a commitment that implies you have ended your job search and will soon be a part of that organization. Remember, how you handle such decisions is a reflection of your values, priorities, and ethical/professional conduct. Please contact a Career Advisor if you have questions about evaluating and negotiating any aspect of your offer. We can help you navigate these waters!

Additional Resources

Here are some resources for researching and comparing salaries and benefits in different industries and geographic regions: