CHAPTER NINE:
Deal or no deal? should you accept their offer?
So they’ve offered you the job. Well done to you. You should be extremely pleased with yourself. The next question to pose is do you take it? Perhaps that question would be easier to answer if you could understand the contract they’ve sent you. This is what this chapter is all about.

First of all the offer is likely to be subject to a few bit and pieces.Your references must be satisfactory; some companies ask about your health and supply a questionnaire for you to fill in; you may have to pass a security check; your exam results should be true and accurate; you may have to agree to relocate and for almost all employers you must be eligible to work in the UK. If you aren’t eligible to work in the UK and have not discussed the option of your employer obtaining a permit for you upfront then please do not put yourself through this rigorous process. Essentially without a work permit you have wasted your time going through the stress of the application process and you will end up disappointed and unemployed – don’t do it!

Secondly, you don’t need to rush into accepting a job offer if you have reservations of any kind. It is far better to have a think, ask a few questions and put your mind at rest rather than rush into it.

So whilst you are reading through your contract, pay special attention to the following areas:

Employers will often be flexible about start dates and the package they are offering you. If you don’t feel that as a sum total it is a fair package, say something. The worst they can say is no.

The other key area to be absolutely clear on before you sign anything is the hours you will be expected to work. Once this is clear it will also help to manage your expectations about the role – it’s no good wanting to be a city banker if you want to work 9-5 or wanting to be a nurse with regular Monday to Friday shifts. Make sure you look for any “opt out” clauses which effectively mean you are opting out of the right not to work less that 48 hours in the average week.

You should also be aware of “golden handcuffs” which mean that any “golden hellos” or “golden handshakes” offered to you upfront to encourage you to apply will need to be repaid in full should you leave before the agreed period of time.

Well that’s it. Remember the first port of call if you have any further questions is your local careers service. They’ve been doing all this for many years and may well have some pearls of wisdom that even we at www.graduate-job.com don’t know about. Don’t forget that you can also use your university careers service after you have graduated. To find your careers service click here