Analyse the Offer

The major components of a job offer are normally:

• Base salary and any bonus pay, commission, overtime allowance or incentive pay,
• Salary increases (timing and percentage), health insurance and pension arrangements,
• Education assistance or flexible working arrangements,
• Meal allowances and any equipment such as car, phone, PC, pager, etc,
• Professional organisation memberships,
• Relocation expenses,
• Start date.

If you find you are missing any information, call the employer. For example: “There are a couple of pieces of additional information I will need to make my decision. Would you explain...?” Thank the hiring manager and tell him or her that you’ll inform him or her of your decision by a specific date. Be careful not to negotiate at this time.