What is the single most important thing that you need to accept a job offer?

CW3 Dylan E. Raymond, PHR — Wed, 27 Apr 2016 22:43:29 -0400

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 27 at 2016 10:46 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Apr 2016 22:46:13 -0400

If I have to work on-site, I don't want to have to be in a toxic workplace.
-Culture

Response by TSgt Jackie Jones made Apr 28 at 2016 12:09 AM

TSgt Jackie Jones — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 00:09:26 -0400

I cannot pick just one! I do not think I could have one without the other. I am blessed that I found my current job that scores very high in all of these categories!

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2016 12:21 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 00:21:55 -0400

CW3 Dylan E. Raymond, PHR Having a good work environment is the key element, followed by career advancement opportunities, salary/benefits, and location.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2016 12:58 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 00:58:00 -0400

It really depends on what you value most but my personal opinion is definitely culture. No matter what the other things are, somebody could always match or better them as they are numerical. If someone does not like what they do or the culture of their workplace, they will take the first solid opportunity to bolt. Take the military for example, some people like the culture in the military and in each specific branch and some don't. The ones who don't, get out after their first enlistment. There are some people who are kind of undecided on how they view and feel about the military so most of them bolt if they have anything going for them when they get out ie a degree or job offer. Culture is definitely the most important I personally think.

Response by PFC Jason Jackson made Apr 28 at 2016 1:55 AM

PFC Jason Jackson — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 01:55:56 -0400

For me it's all about peace of mind. I need to know that if I go with this job, will it be there tomorrow. I have a family to take care of and I have to provide my share.

Response by SSG Kyle Johnson made Apr 28 at 2016 1:58 AM

SSG Kyle Johnson — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 01:58:33 -0400

To me there are several factors that go into accepting a job offer.

Primarily what are career advancement opportunities are available. While I don't go in expecting to move up in the company immediately it is important to know that it is not going to be a dead end job where I'll never be challenged or have the opportunity to be challenged later in my career thus eliminating the worry of salary because I will find that in the long run.

Second I would say culture. The culture of the job site has to be inviting for fellow employees and myself. No one wants a job that makes they hate life everyday. This starts with upper management and flows to the line level so if the company has bad leadership I'll most likely bounce or have the Hiring manager rescind the job offer.

Response by SFC Pete Kain made Apr 28 at 2016 2:24 AM

SFC Pete Kain — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 02:24:52 -0400

Pay, if I want to work for free I will just stay home and do the honey do list.

Response by Capt Tom Brown made Apr 28 at 2016 11:05 AM

Capt Tom Brown — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 11:05:46 -0400

CW3 Dylan E. Raymond, PHR I would say culture because it is hard to gauge before hiring on. Not many people are going to work for peanuts or move at their own expense. Assuming a person plans to stick around if humanly possible and is not driven to become senior this or that. Once you get in a position you are pretty well stuck unless you are willing to eject yourself when the culture of toxic leaders and managers, back-stabbing co-workers and sabotaging employees becomes evident. No one is more miserable than someone stuck in a work environment like that. (there was a thread on RP a few days ago featuring an article about '7 indications of workplaces to avoid' which described warning signs before you hired on)..

Response by CPT Joseph K Murdock made Apr 28 at 2016 11:22 AM

CPT Joseph K Murdock — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 11:22:47 -0400

Will I be working for assholes and bitches?

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Apr 28 at 2016 1:14 PM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 13:14:47 -0400

To initially accept a position, the single most important thing is pay. I prefer my pay to be relatively close or more than my current pay. I have a family to support, so their needs come first.

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Apr 28 at 2016 1:22 PM

SrA Edward Vong — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 13:22:57 -0400

It depends on my situation at the time. Let's say I'm already in a comfortable situation, it would have to be all of the above.

If in a desperate situation, it would be option number 1 and 3 as a temporary means of earning money.

I cast my vote on culture as I am someone who is passionate about where he works. If one is happy where they work, the rest takes care of itself (as long as you're being compensated fairly).

Response by SFC Andrew Miller made Apr 28 at 2016 1:34 PM

SFC Andrew Miller — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 13:34:29 -0400

I am already in my dream job, so I don't need to worry about it, but I connect veterans with employment resources everyday. My biggest challenge to those I'm assisting who are married is, "How with affect things at home?" If it is overall positive and rewarding for you, but you can't pay the bills it doesn't make sense to take it.
Salary and Benefits can positively affect your ability to maintain a positive quality of life, but do not guarantee one.

Culture will affect your mental and emotional state while at work and in your free time. If you are thinking about work while you are at your kid's game, concert, etc., then you can't truly enjoy your time with your children.

Location, location, location can affect whether you have to move or have a longer or shorter commute. These can all have an affect, positive or negative, on you and the family.

Career Advancement Opportunities...are not for everyone. I manage my department, but have no desire to "move up". Some people aren't happy unless they are continually moving up the ladder, so you need to figure out if that is important to you first before determining if the position needs to have upward mobility potential.

I get a whole lot of, "I just need a job" people in here. While that can be the solution in a limited job market, if you have the ability, go for what makes you happy and pays the bills.

No one thing should be the driving force, it should be all of those elements looked at as a whole.

Response by Cpl Leland Hank made Oct 25 at 2016 8:53 AM

Cpl Leland Hank — Tue, 25 Oct 2016 08:53:45 -0400

I'm still young and I'm still healthy so I'm all about the money!