Surprise! How to Handle an Unexpected Job Offer

Surprise How to Handle an Unexpected Job OfferSurprise How to Handle an Unexpected Job OfferMany people think that holding onto a good job in this economy is an accomplishment. So getting a job offer when you werent even looking? Thats a small miracleWell, its actually not- the further you progredienz in your career, the more people you meet and the more marketable you become to other companies. So, whether you get a call from a headhunter on LinkedIn or an offer from your old boss to work at her new company, its completely possible that a new job opportunity could fall in your lap unexpectedly.A surprise offer means you need to do some serious thinking- and fast. And no matter how excited you are about the prospect or how little time you have to make a decision, the new offer shouldnt be taken lightly. If you find yourself in this boat, heres a run-down of what to consider before going any further.How Long Have You Been at Your Current Job?Even though the expectation of staying in a job for seven years is now completely pass (seriously- who came up with that rule?), tenure absolutely still matters. Depending on how long youve been in your current position, and how frequently youve moved around in your field, it might be wise to forego a new opportunity if you need to build more experience in your current role.How Happy Are You?Take some time to reflect on how you felt about your current jobbeforethe new offer came along. Are you generally happy? Are you challenged and learning new things? Or are you getting ready for a change in a few months anyway?Also think about how the new job relates to your overall career plans. Is it really a good fit, or are you just tempted by the thought of something new? Think about how youll feel about the new opportunity a year from now- once the excitement wears off.What Perks Will You Gain or Give Up?Think about the perks of each gig- not just health insurance and vacation days, but the things that make your life a whole lot eas ier. For example, are you permitted to telecommute at your current job? Would the new office have features like day care or a cafeteria? These are the types of things we tend to forget about when were weighing possibilities- but theyre important factors in your overall happiness, and should be considered along with the salary and job description.Will the New Job be Stable?The job market is recovering, but its far from stable. Receiving a new job offer is an encouraging sign of a companys performance, but look into resources like their annual report and recent press releases to get a better idea of how secure your new job would be. Also, remember that it takes time to build yourself up in a new position. If youve been in your current job for a while, its easy to look past the challenges you faced during your first months of making a name for yourself.Is This Really the Right Time and distributions-mix?While being pursued is nice, its not a reason to accept a job offer if its not the right one for you. Think things through as carefully as possible, and make sure youre making a move becauseyouwant to- not because someone else wants you.Im also a big believer in trusting your instincts- if an opportunity feels right from all angles, it probably is. And while the new company may not give you a whole lot of time to make a decision, you will have opportunities to ask questions throughout the process. If you decide that the grass on the other side of the corporate ladder isnt really greener, its completely fine to turn the offer down. After all, there might be another one just around the corner.Which means- be prepared Of course, you never know when a surprise offer might come your way, but there are some things you can do on a regular basis to set yourself up for success if youdowant the job. Always keep your resume up-to-date, know who your references are, and have at least an idea of what types of positions youd be open to next.Check out more from Job Search Month at The Daily MusePhoto courtesy of Joi Ito.