Job Search
If you've just been offered your first professional job in the real world you may breathe a sigh of relief. The search is over! But, unfortunately it's not. In some ways the real work of deciding whether this job is the right one for you is just about to begin.
Looking for a job is difficult, and then deciding on an offer can be even more challenging. This is the beginning of your professional career and a sound decision will get you started in the right direction. A poor decision could lead to disappointment.
Here are some factors for you to consider. Keep in mind that the salary is not the only aspect you must consider.
Many new college graduates do not know what a good salary is or how to ask for one. You need to decide what salary and corresponding benefits will suit you. In order to get a better idea of what to expect and what to ask for you must do your research. Go to web sites like jobweb.com (sponsored by the National Association of Colleges and Employers - NACE), and search for salary information for various professions. The staff of the Career Development Center are here to assist you as well. We have experience helping many students and graduates like you and will be happy to guide you through this process.
While you have been through the interview process do you really understand what will be expected of you on the job? If you're not sure now is the time to visit with your prospective employer and clarify any questions you may have. Being assertive about this early on will pay dividends down the road. What might sound like a great opportunity could turn out to be less so if you don't know exactly what the position entails.
Related to what exactly your job duties will be is your understanding of the company's culture. What do we mean by this? It can mean both the obvious kinds of things like what the dress code might be, to more subtle areas. How do different employees communicate with each other and with their superiors in the organization. While this may be difficult to figure out before you start, a visit to the organization will assist greatly with your insight.
Certainly you may be feeling a little overwhelmed just thinking about starting your professional career, but it's also never too early to think about what the career ladder might be with this organization. Again, having frank and open conversation with your prospective supervisor as well as other members of the organization can help you get a grasp on this aspect of your decision.
Finally, we at the Career Development Center want you to know that we are here to help you wind your way through what may seem like the negotiation maze. While it does take time and effort we can assist you in making it more understandable and manageable. Good luck!
