Why You Shouldn’t Always Take the First Job Offered to You
When you are in between work, you probably want to get back to work as soon as possible. However, accepting the first job offer you can get isn’t necessarily a good strategy.
As tips site The Muse points out, there are several pitfalls in automatically accepting a first job offer. Firstly, it can be used very easily to take advantage of you. If you never compare one company’s offering to another, you will never know how much you are truly worth. You can also get a job you hate just because it was available at the time:
Early in my career, I learned that the phrase “at least I get paid” is a great sign that you should start looking for a new job. And yet, despite the fact that I was in a position that I did not like, I remained there for several years. Why? Because I moved out of home to pursue a career I didn’t like, and suddenly I had to pay the bills. And since it was impossible to return all my belongings to my parents’ house, these responsibilities did not disappear.
Obviously, most companies will want a response as soon as possible, but if you have time to think about the offer, accept it. If you have a job offer, that means they need you. Ask them if you have a few days to think about the details, and take the time to compare other options. Even if a job offer seems good at the moment, there is nothing wrong with a patient, thoughtful response.
3 Reasons Why “Take Any Job You Can” Is The Worst Advice Ever | Muse