Navigating the Decision: Key Questions to Ask Before Accepting a Job Offer

Meme from the Internet

It’s always a bummer when you start a new job and you realise it’s different from how you expected it to be.

That’s why, I have compiled the following MUST-ASK questions that all job seekers should clarify before accepting a job offer!

1. Why is there a need for the company to hire for this position? This gives you an idea about the role’s responsibility and what they expect of you.
2. Can you tell me about a project or challenge the engineering team is currently working on, and how I might be able to contribute to that effort? This question helps you to have a rough gauge on whether the work is “interesting”.
3. What is the development process like at this company, and how does the engineering team collaborate with other departments? This question is designed to help you understand the company culture and gain insights into how the engineering team operates.
4. How does the onboarding process look like? This question tells you whether you will receive support from your teammates as a new-joiner.
5. What kind of opportunities are there for professional growth and career development within the company? This question is designed to help you understand the potential career paths and advancement opportunities available within the company.
6. What are some tools that the company use for communication and collaboration? This question gives you more understanding on how the company works.
7. How would you describe the company’s culture?

If possible, consider requesting for an in-person gathering with the team that you are interviewing for. This could be a simple informal meeting to introduce yourself and become acquainted with your potential colleagues and the office environment.

In an age of virtual online meetings, it’s always very tempting to assume that everything is well and just accept an offer without the need for an in-person office visit. However, I personally feel that this step plays a very important role in helping you to evaluate whether to accept an offer or not.

Though brief and casual, it helps you to quickly identify red flags, if there are, and have an intuition about whether you can work well with your colleagues. Moreover, it helps you to assess if the office’s location, facilities, and overall environment align with your preferences.

Never take risks with your career and accept a job offer without a thorough understanding of the company and role.