Congratulations! You landed a job offer. But before celebrating with a virtual confetti shower, hold your horses! Accepting an offer without careful consideration can lead to disappointment later. To ensure you’re making the right move, take a deep breath and consider these 14 crucial points before signing on the dotted line:

1. Designation: Understand your exact role and responsibilities. Is it the position you applied for? Does it align with your career goals and aspirations?

2. Salary Details & Company Contribution: Get clarity on your gross salary, net salary, and any company contributions to social security or other benefits. Don’t just focus on the gross figure; understand the take-home amount.

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3. Leave Policies: How much-paid leave do you get annually? Are there different types of leave (sick, vacation, personal)? What’s the process for requesting and approving leave?

4. Working Hours & Days: Will you be working standard hours, or are overtime expectations high? What are the typical working days? Weekends off? Are flexible working arrangements available?

5. Medical Coverage/Insurance: Understand the type of medical insurance offered, including coverage, exclusions, and your contribution, if any.

6. Probation Period: What’s the probation period duration? What are the expectations and evaluation criteria during this period?

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7. Notice Period: How much notice period do you need to give if you decide to leave, and vice versa? Is it reasonable for both parties?

8. Benefits and Perks: Does the company offer additional benefits like transportation allowance, meal vouchers, gym memberships, or professional development opportunities?

9. Bonus & Pension: Does the company offer bonuses or performance-based incentives? Is there a pension scheme, and how does it work?

10. FNF Policy: Know your rights regarding your Full and Final Settlement (FNF) upon leaving the company. What does it include, and when can you expect it?

11. Company Reputation: Research the company’s reputation in the market. Check industry reports, news articles, and employee reviews on platforms like Glassdoor.

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12. Public Opinion: What’s the general public’s perception of the company? Are there any red flags to be aware of?

13. Management & Policies: During the interview process, did you get a sense of the management style and company policies? Are they aligned with your expectations and comfort level?

14. Company Stability: Use resources like LinkedIn, Glassdoor, or company financial reports to gather information about the company’s financial health and stability.

Conclusion:

Understanding these 14 points before accepting an offer letter empowers you to make an informed decision about your future. Remember, this is a two-way street. While the company evaluates you, you have the right to evaluate them and ensure they align with your career goals and expectations. Be thorough, ask questions, and don’t hesitate to negotiate if necessary. Happy job hunting!

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