Hooray,You Got the Job Offer! Now What?

Over my 30 years as a job search specialist, certain questions about the protocol and expectations of accepting a job offer come up over and over again.

Here are some of the questions people ask about how to handle it when you get the job offer.

Is it OK to say yes on the spot? I should always say I need to think about it, right?

Yes, it's OK to say yes on the spot. If you know that you want the job, and the offer is what you expected, then why play hard to get? Companies want to hire people who are eager to work for them, and accepting on the spot sends that message.

Are there reasons to ask to think about it?

Yes. If you aren't entirely sure you want the job, then you should thank them for their offer, tell them you're very interested in it but you'd like to have a couple of days to make sure it's the right decision.

If the offer is complicated, with commissions and income projections, then it's a good idea to take it home and crunch your numbers before responding.

How long can I ask the company to wait?

Personally, I think that if you can't make up your mind in two or three days, it might not be the right job for you. A couple of days sends the message that you're just thinking through the details, but longer than that sends the message that you're hoping a better offer comes along.

Be specific if you want some time to give your answer. Say, "I'd like to think about it for a couple of days. Can I give you my answer by Thursday afternoon?"

Chances are they'll say yes, but remember that their priority is to fill their job, so they don't want to risk losing their second choice candidate because you took too long to make up your mind.

What if I want to wait for another offer that will take a week or two?

This is a tough one. If you say you need to wait a week or two, it sends a pretty clear message that you are hoping for another offer you like more. But if the other job is inarguably a great career move, then a future employer might be willing to give you a little extra time.

I have seen candidates tell the truth, and have the company be willing to wait. I have seen candidates drag their feet in giving a response, and the company was unhappy about it.  And I have seen candidates accept the offer, and then two weeks later, come back and tell the company that an impossible-to-refuse offer just came in, and that they feel they need to take it.

However it goes, you will have to handle things very smoothly or you risk having your interest in the company and the job questioned.

What if I'm pretty sure I don't want it?

If, at any point in the interview process, you realize that you are definitely not interested in the company, then you should tell them "Thanks so much for your consideration, but I think this isn't really a match with what I want to be doing next." No need to waste more of your time or theirs.

If you like the company, but not the specific job, then you can say "Thanks so much for believing in me. I love your company and would love to work here, but I think this specific job is not the best fit for what I want to be doing next. I'd love to be considered for other opportunities here, though."

What should be covered in the job offer?

The things you want settled at the time of the job offer are your job title, who you'll be reporting to, your salary and compensation plan, any commissions or bonuses that have been promised, time off, and stock option offerings. Sometimes performance reviews schedules are included, too.

If the company does not give you a written job offer, send them a follow-up email that itemizes the offer as you understand it. Keep a copy of that email should questions arise later.

They offered me less than I expected. What do I do?

Asking for more money is a business conversation, so let go of any self-worth doubts and don't take it too personally.

If the offer is lower than you expected, say "Thank you so much for your offer. I know I can do a great job for you and the company, but I feel that what I bring to the job is worth more, and was expecting the offer to be $xx." Then let them either explain their reasoning, or come back with a different offer.

If they cannot come up in salary, and you're in a high demand field, ask if they pay signing bonuses. I had a coaching client who asked, and although the company had never given a signing bonus before, they came up with $10,000 for her.

And if that doesn't work, you can ask them to agree to a salary review and increase after three or six months, once you've proven yourself to them.

How much notice do I need to give?

The standard is two weeks, unless you have a contract that states differently. Even if you work in an at-will employment state, where you are legally able to quit for any reason at any time, leaving your current employer abruptly can damage your reputation and burn bridges.

If you're very loyal, you may be tempted to give more notice to your current employer, but that's usually a bad idea. For most jobs, two weeks should be long enough to transfer your projects and knowledge to someone else, and you need to be focusing on your future.

How long can I wait to start?

In most jobs, especially if it's a vacant position, they will want you to start as quickly as possible, but for a key role, especially if relocation is involved, they might wait for up to a month or more. Ask them when they want you there, and negotiate if you need to.

If you've been working without a vacation for a while, try to give yourself an extra week off before you start the new job so you can feel refreshed and ready to go.

More about job offers and salaries:

• 11 Win-Win Salary Negotiation Secrets
• Women: Negotiate for What You're Worth
• Equal Pay Day: Have We Really Come a Long Way, Baby?