INTHEBLACK August 2022 - Magazine - Page 55
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“When you’ve got two offers on the go, you want to make sure
you’re moving towards a company that’s in a strong position with
opportunities for future growth. It’d be really disappointing to accept an
offer and then, shortly after starting, find the company is in financial
difficulty when maybe the other offer was a more stable avenue.”
AMELIA CHILIANIS, CAREER EXPERT
It’s crucial that you have a clear picture of your
priorities at the beginning of your job hunt before any
offers roll in. “Know what you want before you go into it,”
says Calder.
If you compile the list after you start to interview for
roles, your judgement may be skewed by the offers you
receive.
Calder gives an example: “You want to work from home,
but an in-office position offers better remuneration. You
might think, ‘I thought hybrid was important to me, but
guess what? They’re giving me an extra A$30,000, and
I’m going to be in the office five days a week. That’s fine –
I don’t really want hybrid’,” she says.
“You accept the role, overlooking that working from
home was one of your priorities before you started
looking for a job.
“Six months later – when the ‘sparkle’ has worn off –
you may have more money, but you don’t have the
flexibility you wanted,” says Calder.
At that point, you might realise that you’re not happy
in the role. Being clear about your priorities from the
outset can help avoid this eventuality.
Be aware that it can be hard to be objective when
weighing up job offers with differing benefits. A fresh
perspective can cut through any biases we hold.
“I always advocate using someone who knows you well
[and] who will give you answers that you might not want
to hear – it could be an ex-boss, it could be a mentor, it
could very well be your partner or a friend,” says Calder.
AVOID STALLING
Weighing up multiple job offers might be a complex
undertaking, but it’s important not to delay decisionmaking, says Calder.
“If you get an offer, for example, on a Friday and you
ask for the weekend, that’s normal. But then on Monday,
they’re chasing you, and you ask for another two days
because you’re trying to weigh it up or play it off against
another job offer – that’s not a good thing to do.”
Such tactics send the message that “actually, your offer
to me isn’t a priority – and no one likes to feel like that”.
she says.
Ask for enough time to review a contract – in writing,
says career expert Amalia Chilianis. Remember, “nothing
is an offer until you’ve received the paperwork”.
Ensure you’re clear on base salary, the superannuation
component and any extra benefits, bonuses or incentives.
Super is “one thing that catches a lot of people out”, says
Chilianis, who also recommends checking terms and
conditions such as probation and notice periods.
It’s also prudent to research prospective employers
online. “When you’ve got two job offers on the go, you
want to make sure you’re moving towards a company
that’s in a strong position with opportunities for future
growth,” says Chilianis.
“It’d be really disappointing to accept an offer and then,
shortly after starting, find the company is in financial
difficulty when maybe the other offer was a more stable
avenue.”
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THE IMPORTANCE OF SALARY
There is no doubt that money is a key factor when
evaluating a job offer – especially in the current climate
of increased cost of living. “Everybody’s feeling the pinch,”
says Chilianis.
Often, “it’s not a straight comparison” between offers,
she says.
“One employer might be offering a slightly better salary,
but another might be offering some salary sacrifice
options, which are beneficial from a tax perspective ... It’s
not always the salary. You have to look at the whole range
of benefits that are on offer.”
Money “can be something that will sway people in the
wrong way”, notes Calder, who says it’s important “not to
get caught up the dollar amount” and instead include
“culture, team, learning style, advancement for the future
and values” in the equation as well.
“All those things need to come into play, not just what
the dollars are.”
Like Calder, Chilianis warns against “being bedazzled by
the dollar figures on the contract and not making sure that
the company aligns with your values”. Make sure “it’s work
you would enjoy doing and is adding something to your
career rather than going backwards”.
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intheblack.cpaaustralia.com.au August 2022 55