• When you receive an offer, your response to the employer should be enthusiastic and professional. However, you don’t need to answer immediately. If you feel this is a good opportunity, you may ask for a day or two before giving your final decision.
• If you still have other scheduled interviews or are awaiting a decision from another employer, you may tactfully request more time. You and the employer should mutually agree on a date for a decision. If the deadline arrives and you still do not have a decision, you can request an extension, but some risk is involved. The employer does not have to grant the extension and could withdraw the offer.

• Salaries are important, but other factors are also significant. 
• Know your absolute minimum. If you agree to a salary that will not enable you to pay your bills, you could     find yourself in financial difficulty and be dissatisfied from the start.  Information on creating a budget can help.
• Research typical salaries in the field or by industry.  Visit the CSC Resource Library for the NACE Salary Survey or use online resources such as www.salary.com for information.

Know your baseline criteria and consider what factors are important to you.  Some factors you may want to consider include:

• Employer and Industry: Reputation, Growth potential, Size, Financial stability
• The Job Itself: Day-to-day activities/responsibilities, Expectations, Interest/challenge, Autonomy, Training provided
• Opportunities: Opportunity for advancement, Promotion policies, Continuing education/professional development, Opportunity to gain new skills
• Work Environment: Management, Employee morale, Working conditions
• Life Style: Work schedule/flexibility of hours, Travel, Length/cost of commute to work, Formal vs. informal clothing
• Monetary: Salary (consider local, state, federal taxes), Bonus or commission plans, Benefits, Profit sharing, Company car, Salary vs. cost-of-living

A chart which helps you review these factors can provide a helpful visual as you consider your decision.  Consider the factors listed on the chart.  Are there other aspects of a job which are important to you?  If so, add them to the list.  Now evaluate the importance of each factor and if this job will meet that criteria.  How does the offered position stack up?

Meeting with a career counselor can help clarify issues for your decision.  Make an appointment or stop by during drop-in hours.

• Quintessential Careers Salary Tutorial Quiz
• Salary Calculator

Please note: some items require the Adobe Acrobat PDF Reader, which can be downloaded from the Adobe web site.