Evaluating a job offer can be exciting but also overwhelming at the same time. Keep reading in order to learn how to effectively evaluate a job offer. You do not want to take a job that sounds fantastic only to find yourself working in a confined cubicle for 10 hours a day with coworkers who do not even talk to you.

A candidate should consider the entire picture by making a list of what you need and want from your next position. Make a dedicated effort to envision your life currently as well as six months from now. If it has improved then this job could be a great fit. If not, you should probably keep looking. Use the following checklist to evaluate your job offer.

Money

Salary is most likely your first consideration when it comes to determining whether a job is going to be a great fit. Once you are offered a salary, double check your budget to ensure that it is enough for your needs. This is especially important if the job requires relocation or a major change in your daily commute. After calculating any additional expenses, make sure you have enough money left over to contribute to your retirement as well as your savings.

Here are some additional financial aspects to consider when evaluating a job offer:

• Bonus(es) - Is there a sign-on bonus or an opportunity to earn performance-based bonuses in the future?
• Health insurance and wellness benefits - Analyzing the premium you will pay out of pocket and compare that with the co-pays and deductibles. You should compare traditional plans with any high-deductible options.
• Retirement - Factor in personal contributions, employer matching and any pre-tax savings.
• Profit-sharing or stock options - Request additional details from your recruiter to find out if this is part of your compensation plan.
• Relocation assistance - If you have to move, is the company paying for your expenses?
• Ancillary benefits - Ancillary or voluntary benefits include cancer insurance, life insurance, identity theft protection or legal services. Some companies include free transportation passes so make sure to ask.

Company Culture

It is important that it pays your bills but you also want to feel like you fit in. Here are some things to consider:

• Work environment - Take a tour including where you would be seated. Can you envision yourself working in that particular space? If it is a large room with cubicles, is there a place to go to make private calls on your break or lunch? Are the other employees happy or overwhelmed? Is there natural lighting near the window? What is the dress code?
• Professional development - Inquire about potential opportunities for advancement, obtaining new certifications and receiving additional development training as needed.

Take Your Needs Into Consideration

As in-office culture is important, so is the balance your job strikes with the rest of your life. When evaluating a job offer, ask yourself if you will get to spend time with loved ones, travel, etc?

Make sure to get everything in writing. Here's what you should consider:

• Travel requirements - How much travel will be required and what expenses will be reimbursed? 
• Paid time off, vacations, personal or sick days, family leave - Find out upfront about the company’s time-off policies.
• Remote work - Are you allowed to work from home part time or full time?
• Schedule flexibility - It can be difficult to negotiate more flexibility once you have started, so go for it in the beginning preferably before you start. You can also check the company careers page to see if they mention flexible work arrangements.

Your resume gives you as a potential candidate a chance to show companies all the important achievements that you have reached over the course of your career. Action verbs specifically give you an opportunity to increase the wow factor if you will. A lot of resumes tend to use vague or overused verbs. This can actually diminish the excellent work that you have done so choose action verbs that accurately reflect what you have done.

Utilizing industry-appropriate action verbs on your resume can highlight your skills whereas filler descriptions can downplay your contributions and expertise. It can mean the difference between demonstrating your leadership skills or being seen as an associate level.

What Is An Action Verb?

An action verb is a word that demonstrates how the subject of a sentence is taking action. For instance, I ran to the post office; the glass of water spilled on the floor. The opposite is a passive verb which means the subject is receiving the consequence of an action. Example: The clothes were washed and folded last night. However some words are a better description than others. 

Action Verbs You Can Use For Communication

Instead of: spoke, utilized, demonstrated, organized

Use: addressed, corresponded, persuaded, reconciled

You can present analytical data and host conference meetings but does that mean you got your point across to a diverse audience? Grab the interest of a recruiter by using words that show your unique personality. For example, instead of saying you "organized" a company off-site, say you "created" an off-site meeting. And instead of "conducting" the meeting, perhaps you "arranged" the meeting. "Persuaded" is another solid action verb to use because it describes your competency when it comes to influencing others. Descriptive words can add formality to your actions. Words like "addressed" or "corresponded" can carry meaning in a way that more obvious word choices would not.

Action Verbs To Represent Organizational Skills

Instead of: organized, created, filed

Use: strategized, executed, operated

Did you spearhead the beginning of a project, then reassign the work? Make sure to choose action verbs that demonstrate how you organized and followed through with a specific project from initial concept all the way to completion. For example, "executed" says that you saw it through to the end.When you focus on only the task instead of the specific purpose in relation to the organization, you end up limiting the overall value of your experience. Instead of "filed account paperwork" be more descriptive and say such as "monitored client accounts."

Action Verbs For Management Skills

Instead of: led, handled, oversaw

Use: consolidated, delegated, established

Leadership experience is excellent for your resume. However if you are only saying "led" a team, this is not as powerful as saying you "established" a team from the ground up, which indicates you took the lead to create something new within the company you previously worked for. Including a word like "oversaw" indicates that you are performing managerial work at a high level but that you are not actively participating in a project. Pick words that reflect the true nature of your contribution. For example, "Established a comprehensive productivity team and delegated tasks on behalf of a managerial team." These action verbs in combination give the hiring manager an overall impression of your work style which can reduce your resume’s initial impact. Utilize a dictionary or thesaurus if you get stuck and when you are done, be sure to have a friend or colleague proofread your resume to make sure it is a comprehensive read.

A crucial element involving your job satisfaction and happiness is getting paid what you are worth. If you are earning substantially less than what your skills, experience and contributions are worth, it can lead to less job satisfaction and a lack of commitment to the company over time. Knowing how to negotiate salary using an informed approach is essential to your success.

Receiving market level compensation for your work output can help increase your productivity and how you value yourself while providing you with the financial stability and security you need to plan for your future. However, if you are wondering how to negotiate a higher salary, there are numerous factors you need to consider including economic climate, timing and your current salary. You will also have to prove how your value is worth your current pay amount by quantifying your contribution to the company. I will provide practical salary negotiation tips that can help you make inroads in terms of securing your financial future. By doing research, assessing your worth, preparing yourself and being open to compromise, you can learn how to negotiate salary and reach an agreement that benefits both you and your employer.

How To Negotiate Your Salary When You Get A Job Offer 

Once you have received a written job offer from the company, most hiring managers will give you a chance to think about it before giving your response. If you do not negotiate, you could be leaving money on the table. I will describe how to negotiate a salary offer to help you confidently ask for the amount that you want. Before the negotiation begins, gather information about industry standards, pay ranges for similar positions and the company's financial state. In your salary negotiation email, acknowledge and express gratitude for the offer but explain to the recruiter that you would like to discuss the salary compensation further. Present your research, highlight your skills and experience that could potentially justify a higher salary. Be specific about your desired salary range while being flexible and open to compromise. If the company is unwilling to increase your salary, consider negotiating other benefits like flexible work hours, paid time off or professional development opportunities. If the employer is not willing to budge on salary, it is essential to walk away from the offer. You are negotiating for a mutually beneficial contractual agreement. If the salary is not what you are looking for, it may be best to continue your job search.

How To Negotiate Salary At Your Current Job

Whether you are planning for your annual performance review or want to ask for a promotion, the best way to negotiate salary is to build a problem free business case. In order to give yourself the best chance of getting a raise, take the additional time required to present a transparent and compelling demonstration of why you are worth what you are asking for by utilizing facts to back up your claims.

Learning how to negotiate a salary and asking for a raise can be an extensive process. With the proper preparation and  understanding of your worth, you will have what you need to move forward. 

Do Your Research!

Knowing how to negotiate your salary effectively starts with knowledge. Before entering into negotiations, you can gain key insights into what your market value is. Start by researching salary related data for your specific job title and location in order to determine the average pay for someone with your skills, experience and qualifications. This will give you a starting point for which you can base your salary expectations. You can use industry reports to find out if there is a high demand for skilled workers in your field. This information can give you additional bargaining power in your negotiations. You can also speak to other professionals in your industry for guidance and browse similar jobs online to help you in determining if you are being fairly compensated.

Quantifying Your Value

Determining how to negotiate your salary with your employer involves conducting an internal self-assessment and performance review. If you are negotiating a promotion based salary, consider how you can position yourself as an exceptional high performer who would be challenging to replace. What are the factors needed in order to even discuss a salary increase? The more information you have the better prepared you will be when it comes to answering questions from your employer. Write everything down and use these talking points to make the process simpler:

• Keep a record of your accomplishments, recent training, projects and contributions towards the company’s success. 
• Use real world metrics to prove you deserve the requested salary increase and show how you have surpassed your required metrics. 
• Take a closer look at your job responsibilities and identify areas where you have taken additional tasks and made significant contributions. 
• If you receive positive feedback from coworkers, customers or your superiors include this imperative information in your official request for a promotion or a raise.
• Discuss any future projects or initiatives they want you to take on as this can help demonstrate your enthusiasm and commitment to the company.

Benefits Package 

When it comes to negotiating your salary, it is essential to consider your entire benefits package as this can significantly impact your overall compensation. Personally you may value comprehensive health insurance coverage, flexible work hours and professional development opportunities in the near future. Make sure to research your company's benefits package and identify what is most important to you.

It is also a good idea to ask your employer if any benefits can be added as part of the salary negotiation process. In addition to the benefits package, it is crucial to consider the total amount of benefits and perks when determining your desired salary. For instance a flexible schedule, more time off or the option to work from home.

Practicing Your Salary Negotiation Conversation 

If you find yourself getting apprehensive about what to say, you can start off by writing a premade script. A well-designed script can be an excellent tool when it comes to learning how to be more confident. Once you have it written, you can practice with another person who can help you project a certain level of confidence and answer any last minute questions.

Keep in mind the following points when writing your script:

• Mention the research that you have done on the company's policies and market rates for similar positions. 
• Articulate your top skills, years of experience, essential qualifications and how they align with the company's needs and goals. 
• Make sure to include your salary figure by being as specific as possible.
• Let your current employer know that the specifics are open to negotiation or further discussion.
• End the conversation by showing gratitude and commitment to the company. 
• Be confident, professional and respectful when negotiating. 

Scheduling Your Salary Negotiation

After the meeting takes place, make sure to follow up with a thank-you email to your manager, reiterating your appreciation for the opportunity to discuss and confirm the agreements that were made.

Maintain A Positive Mindset

Remember that the outcome does not define your worth as an individual person. If you are ultimately unsuccessful, focus on your accomplishments and remind yourself of the achievements that in turn make you a more valuable employee. Seek additional support if needed.