The time has finally come for you to accept a job! You’ve read our guidelines and followed our advice (hopefully) and now you’re well on your way to the career you’ve always hoped for. Receiving a job offer from a potential employer can be quite an exciting time! Embarking on the career path that you’ve been working towards for a long time can feel like quite an accomplishment. Just remember to take your time in choosing a job that is the best fit for you. Think things through and follow these simple guidelines to ensure that you feel confident about your decision!
Ask for the proposal & benefits package in writing. This is a very common request. It serves as a way for both parties to view and agree upon the position details, leaving little room for error. You may receive this on paper or over email. By having record of the proposal and details, you will always have something to fall back on if there is a discrepancy. If your potential employer refuses to give it to you in writing, that should raise a red flag.
Take some time to think it over. When you receive a job offer, weigh the Pros & Cons. Make sure to think it through and don’t act on impulse. Impulse could present itself in two ways: 1) anxiously accepting a position that you weren’t fully educated on, or 2) prematurely turning down an offer without giving it a second thought. Also, have you gone on other interviews or possibly been given other offers? Compare apples to apples. Make a list if you need to see the differences lined out in front of you.
Negotiate if necessary. If you are not happy with the initial offer, negotiate! All they can do is say no. Don’t be afraid to negotiate your salary for fear that the offer will be taken away. You have nothing to lose. In the professional world, there is a large percentage of people who regret that they did not negotiate their initial salary offer. Once you accept, you cannot go back and un-do it. This is your chance to ask for what you deserve. And by what you deserve I don’t mean what you think you’re worth. Make sure to do your research… find out the going rate in your area, mix that with your knowledge, training, and years of experience (including clincal experience, for all you new graduates) to come up with a figure that is fair for both parties.
Take a final tour of the facility. Again, this is another very common option for you to request prior to accepting a position. Spend a day in the facility where you may be working. This is a great time for you to meet your potential co-workers, get a vibe for the facility, the company, and the position in general.
Respond in a timely manner. As suggested above, definitely take your time and think things through. However, do not drag out this process. If several days go by and your recruiter is not hearing back from you, he/she may assume that you are not interested and may pursue other options. Stay in touch with your recruiter. Ask all the questions you need to ask in order to get a clear understanding of the position being offered to you. If you need additional time to consider your options, be honest enough to let them know what you’re thinking. If you drag your feet, you may miss the opportunity to join a great team.
We hope you will find these guidelines and all other recruiting guidelines as a credible resource on learning how to land yourself a great job! Once you have landed that dream job, sit back and enjoy it. It won’t be long until you start thinking about taking the next step in your career. Whether that may be management, ownership, teaching, furthering your education or specialty… who knows! The sky is the limit. When the time comes, remember to rely on Therapy Center as a leading resource in the therapy industry. Congratulations & Good Luck!
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