Try to find answers to the following questions before accepting an Offer

Accepting a Job Offer is more than Just Saying Yes!

It is definitely an exciting time; your hard work and persistence paid off. You have received a job offer! Before accepting this offer, there are some factors you need to consider.

Those points are noted below

Why are you considering the job?

Pure survival
A positive career move

Financial

Gross income
Commissions
Bonuses
Car
Expense account
Retirement plan
Stock options, investment plans
Profit sharing
Severance package
Relocation assistance
Cost-of-living increases
Vacation and sick leave

Career Advancement

Advancement opportunities
Involvement in professional associations
Pay raise criteria and schedule
Personal tuition reimbursement

Insurance

Medical
Life
Disability
Dental
Optical
Mental health
Malpractice

Environment

Will you like your co-workers?
Will you like the supervisor's style?

Job Security

Is the career field/practice area growing?
Is the number of employees increasing?
Has the firm recently laid people off?
Will you need to learn new skills to keep your job?

Stress

Frequency of overtime
Frequency of weekend or holiday work
Travel demands
Billable hours, deadlines, or quotas

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Will you enjoy your daily job functions?
Will your level of authority be satisfying to you?
How will you be evaluated?

Acknowledging Offers

When receiving a job offer, it is recommended you acknowledge the offer in writing. This is a brief letter in which you:

Thank the employer for their interest in you.
Indicate your understanding of the terms for employment (i.e., salary, job title, duties, etc.).
State your interest in the position.
Say when you expect to make a final decision.

If you have other interviews scheduled, you and the employer should agree on a mutual date for a decision regarding the offer. If the deadline arrives and you still don't have a decision, you can request an extension; however, this is generally not recommended. You need to understand that the employer does not have to grant it, and the employer may withdraw the offer anytime prior to acceptance of the offer.

Accepting Offers

Once you have decided to accept, you need to formalize this in writing, again including the conditions of your acceptance. This helps to avoid any misunderstandings about the offer and the position. Once an offer has been accepted, that constitutes a binding commitment. Do not renege on offers! This is considered unprofessional and reflects poorly on the law school.

Declining Offers

If you choose not to accept an offer, you need to notify the employer immediately of your decision. This allows the employer the opportunity to make an offer to someone else. Again, this should be done in writing. This brief letter should state your appreciation for their interest in you and the reason why you are rejecting the offer. By extending this courtesy, you leave the door open for future opportunities.

Finally, notify the Professional Development Office of all job offers!

Adapted from The Wizard of Work, Ten Speed Press, 1995

GENERAL PREPARATION	TYPES OF INTERVIEW	JOB FAIR/INTRV BASICS
COMMON TIPS	SAMPLE QUESTIONS	QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
BEFORE INTERVIEW	DURING INTERVIEW	AFTER INTERVIEW
STUDENT INQUIRES	QUESTIONS YOU ASK	QUESTIONS NOT TO ASK
ABOUT HIRING PARTNERS	WHEN JOB OFFERED	BEFORE ACCEPTING
WHAT INTERVIEWER THINK	GROUP DISCUSSION	NEXT INTERVIEW

REFERRALS