Resume Help Blog

Most of us have heard the old hunter’s tale which talks about how a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. This story was talking about a bird shot for dinner, not employment. Many people will say they have decided to take the offer they have rather than to wait or continue to interview for the position they really want.

When an offer is extended, most companies do not wish to wait for an answer for more than a few days. They have accepted you and they expect you be excited about the prospect of working for their company. When a candidate puts them off they know the candidate is putting them off waiting or hoping for an offer from another company they really prefer.

When an offer is extended and the candidate is unsure if the position is right for them, it probably isn’t. If you receive an offer and are not excited about it, don’t take it. If you are interviewing for several positions simultaneously, treat each one as though they are the most important position. Once you have an offer, you may at that point become picky. Until you have the offer, you really don’t have a decision to make.

If you take a position which does not pay enough for you to survive without tremendous stress, you are de-valuing yourself. No matter what happens while you are employed with this company, you will not feel you are being treated fairly even if the company doesn’t pay anyone the amount you feel your services are worth. I personally worked for a firm like this once. Their policy was they never paid anyone the “top” wage. They felt that if you felt you couldn’t go any higher you would be unhappy. Everybody was unhappy anyway and just the opposite was true. You should NEVER accept less than you feel you are worth.

It’s a dangerous thing as it plays a critical role in your self-esteem. So what should you do? Let’s look at some answers.

First, the criteria you have set for yourself in your next career. Perhaps list your likes and dislikes. Let’s take sales since that is a department that I was personally involved in for a number of years:

1. This position must be full time.
2. This position must pay a base salary. (Most don’t)
3. There must be an incentive for me to sell. Does the company pay commission or bonus?
4. What type of training program does this prospective employer utilize?
5. Is the company willing to pay auto expenses or do they provide a corporate vehicle?
6. There can be no relocation.
7. I must be able to make a potential of $____________per year.
8. The product must be a product I believe in.

Make a list of criteria for yourself. What are you willing to accept? Where do you see yourself in a year or five years? If this new job offer does not allow you room to achieve your goals, interview elsewhere. And don’t stop until you find what is right for you. You may be saying, yes, that sounds good, but I need to make money today. I have to take a position, any position to pay the bills. Well, if that is your situation, then take a position with a company where they have a lot of turnover and expect it.

Be careful when you make that decision to accept a position. Always make certain it is a positive move. However don’t be afraid to take a menial position to put bread on the table and pay the bills until you receive an offer from the right company and keep your self respect. I never forget when I was about the first grade that my father worked three jobs to pay the bills. Of course they weren’t 8-hour jobs but he was never afraid to take any honest job to pay the bills and I never remember missing any meals. Be honorable and honest and you will always be a success.