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The flurry of resumes has settled, the interviews are over, and you finally got the phone call you were waiting for. If you're stepping into your first career or making a change, you should carefully evaluate any job offers before accepting. Some important things to think about…

Salary

• Compensation is only ONE factor in an ideal job offer, though it is often considered the most important.  Take a look at our salary resources for help evaluating your offer.
• If you're relocating, be aware of any salary differences by geographic area.  A salary offer may not be amenable for Silicon Valley could be competitive in the Midwest.
• Know that negotiating your salary is not a given! Before you decide to negotiate your salary, consider who is offering the job, the type of job, the industry, the economic forecast, and the size of the organization. Also keep in mind your own experience, skills, education, labor market demand, etc. These factors will help you determine if and how you should approach the recruiting coordinator.

Benefits

• If the offered salary is a bit lower than you expected, you may want to take a look at the benefits package. 
• Examine the compensation packet carefully and don't hesitate to ask the HR representative questions about vacation, dental, medical, optical and retirement benefits. Also consider "perks" such as bonuses, paid lunches, stock options, etc.

Location

• On average, bay area employees spend approximately one hour commuting daily.
  If commuting is an issue for you, take this into account in your overall evaluation of the offer. Research whether the employer is accessible via bus, BART, or train/shuttle.

Work Schedule

• Many companies now support telecommuting or offer flexible work hours.
  Find out what options are open to you and weigh these with your preferred lifestyle.

Professional Development

• It is important to work somewhere where your career growth will be supported and encouraged. Does the employer have a policy on helping with continuing education costs (masters degrees, technical training, writing courses, etc.)?
• Is there room to grow within the company? How often will your performance be reviewed and does this include a salary review?
• Opportunity to work on challenging projects that will enable you to use skills and abilities that best reflect your strengths.

Overtime

• Does the organization compensate for overtime hours and, if so, how?
  Most organizations will not pay overtime for salaried employees but many will offer "comp time" or break-time for project teams.
• If you are expected to work overtime, inquire about how often it will happen; are there peak times for overtime?

Office Culture

• In your final analysis, consider the environment you will be working in: Your boss, co-workers, and the overall focus and drive of a company will greatly impact your happiness, productivity, and success in an organization.