Comments on: 8 Finance Questions to Ask When Considering a Job Offer

By: Andrew I

Andrew I — Fri, 17 May 2013 15:08:41 +0000

Thanks, Brad Norcross for telling me about “What Colour is Your Parachute”. I would never have thought to look there on my bookshelf. That book was a great help! It has a few simple strategies of salary negotiation and explanations of each tip.

By: Jay

Jay — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 20:13:07 +0000

I’ve had several interviews where the interviewer has brought up the salary with the following questions or ones similar: What are your salary requirements in order to support you and your family? What are your salary expectations? I usually give them a bracket i.e. $55k-$65k. I personally wish the interviewer wouldn’t ask and would wait until the job is offered as discussed in this article. How could one answer wtihout having to give any numerical brackets? Could one just reply by asking the suggested questions listed in the article? Would it be acceptable to say you would be willing to negotiate after the job is offered?

By: Michael

Michael — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 23:25:02 +0000

What about evaluating cost of living? For example, if you have two offers in two different states, how do you evaluate which offers is better given the differences in cost of living? There are websites out there that try to calculate this but they vary widely in their assessments.

By: Jason

Jason — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 16:07:34 +0000

Every job I’ve accepted has given me a written offer either in the mail or via email, followed by a benefits email discussing the exact health options.

By: Steve

Steve — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 01:08:57 +0000

As Chuck said, it bears repeating, loudly, GET IT IN WRITING.
How?
After an offer is made and the details outlined above have been hammered out, ask that the employer forward a written offer outlining the terms of the agreement. If there is any concern, call and work it out BEFORE you sign. Get it right, in writing, on the firm’s letterhead, signed by an officer or the hiring manager/hr.

By: David

David — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 21:47:54 +0000

This is a great article for those applying for jobs in a better economy. The workplace is an employer’s market right now, so the outcome of negotiating is the employer picking someone else. Forget retirement and vacation time; just find a job you can live off of and hope that it won’t suck away your will to live.

By: jeff

jeff — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 18:55:30 +0000

Don’t go through the process until you know what the incentives are. If they aren’t telling you what the pay is, or if they expect you to jump through the hiring process and expect you to wait to the end before asking what it pays, dump them. It is your time they are using up, and you owe them nothing at any point except honesty.

By: DeliBoy

DeliBoy — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 04:46:57 +0000

I will never again accept a job offer without seeing how the company handles health insurance. My current employer has rapidly downgraded their insurance over 3 years, and that will be a big factor in searching for a new one.

By: Rob

Rob — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 19:33:05 +0000

Since I can’t even imagine myself in a job that interviews like this are required…what does that say about me? This all seems to corporate and greedy for me to consider. I actually think I don’t really care about money. Weird, I know.

By: Jonathan S

Jonathan S — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 15:42:05 +0000

Also, it’s a fair (and important) question to ask if the company is profitable. That will significantly affect your job security and whether or not you can expect a raise.

And YES, do negotiate your vacation time. Time is money. Pay in my industry is nominal relative to some higher profile jobs, but I never do work outside 8am – 5pm on Mon-Fri, and I get 4 weeks off (soon to be 5 weeks) + all major holidays.

Lastly, ask detailed information about the company’s benefit plan. Health Insurance is not always a given, so make sure they have a plan. Do they contribute to at least 2/3 of the cost? Is there a deductible? Also, what other insurance benefits do they offer? Basic life? Dental? Vision? Short-Term Disability? Long-Term Disability? Supplemental Cancer (a new health insurance supplement)?

Another thing to ask yourself: How long will I have to commute to this job? (Gas is money too :).

As an aside, I would strongly recommend that you not only ask questions about compensation — that shows the employer you are only interested in yourself, and this is probably going to be “just a job” to you. Employers can be choosers in this economy, so why not hold out for a self-motivated, enthusiastic candidate? So ask these detailed financial questions in a second interview, if you get one, or after you get a job offer.