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Career Strategy
Job Offers
An "offer" is when an employer invites the job candidate to take a position working with the employer's organization. If you receive an offer, congratulations!
If you receive an employment offer, you must decide whether to accept or decline the offer. Your decision may depend on many factors and we strongly recommend that you talk with one of the attorney-advisors in Career Strategy. In the meantime, however, this article contains tips on how to consider and respond to an employment offer.
Note: if the employer in question is a judge, tradition may dictate that you be prepared to accept right away. Consult the Career Strategy Office advisors, website, or Clerkship Committee members for more information on how to handle.
- Make Sure it's Really an Offer
An employer can communicate an offer orally or in writing. Most employers will say or write something like "We're offering you the job" or "We'd like you to take the position" or "We've decided to offer you the spot." Sometimes the language may not be so clear, and it's important that you confirm whether you are in fact being offered the position. For example, "You're our top candidate" may sound like an offer to an eager candidate, but in fact may simply be an expression of enthusiasm. Similarly, "If we have room for you, we will offer you the job" is not necessarily a bona fide offer.
When in doubt, ASK. Ask by saying (or writing), "Thank you so much for encouraging words. Are you offering me the position?" If it's a bona fide offer, then you will have demonstrated your keen attention to clarity and detail. If it's not an offer, but a "cheerleading" statement, then you won't make choices based on incorrect information.
- Acknowledge the Offer Quickly
Even if you need more time to make your decision, acknowledge the offer right away by contacting the employer to say "thank you." Nothing leaves an employer colder than a candidate's failure to even acknowledge an offer. Demonstrate your gratitude and enthusiasm by calling, writing, or e-mailing to confirm that you have received the offer and that you appreciate it very much. State that you will consider it carefully and get back to them promptly (or by their deadline, if applicable).
- Make Sure You Have the Information You Need
Questions about salary, benefits, hours, expectations, etc., usually should be avoided during the recruitment and evaluation phase. However, to make an informed decision about an employment offer, you will need the answers to these questions-and perhaps many others.
Talk with your prospective employer to clarify basic terms of the offer, including:
- Compensation (if applicable).
- Length of commitment (if summer or school term).
- "Splitting" your summer or other time with another employer.
- Hourly expectations or days per week.
- Other benefits ("are there any other benefits I should consider?").
- Whether, when, and from what state bar admission is required (post-graduate).
- Deadline for responding ("When do you need my decision?").
In addition, you may still have questions about professional development issues:
- Type of work and level of responsibility.
- Culture and collegiality of office.
- State of diversity at the organization.
- Expectations of outside civic or professional activities.
- Whether judicial clerkships are valued and accommodated (for post-graduates).
- Opportunities for advancement (i.e., full time employment after graduation or partnership, or other promotions).
- Integrity and quality of attorneys in the organization.
- Prospects of those who have left the organization.
- Ability to develop mentors and relationships with attorneys.
- Transferability of skills and expertise.
- If You Have the Information and Know it's What You Want, Accept!
If it's definitely what you want, accept right away! Employers love enthusiastic candidates. And your prompt acceptance will confirm to the employer that you were the right candidate for the job.
To accept, we recommend that you call the person who communicated the offer (or the person who you were told to contact, if different) and then follow up by letter. In both communications, state that you are looking forward to working with them in the future and appreciate the opportunity to join the office.
- If You're Waiting for Other Prospects & Need More Time...
Very often, a candidate will receive an offer before knowing the outcome of other applications. This is a common occurrence caused by the individual differences among employers, their hiring practices, and application timelines. To tackle this situation, talk with an attorney in the Career Strategy Office. But in the meantime, consider the following tips.
Enthusiastically thank the employer making the offer and let them know that you will need to consider it carefully before deciding.
Know when the employer making you the offer needs your decision-and be prepared to adhere to that timetable, unless you obtain additional time to decide.
Understand the NALP Standards & Principles on the Timing of Offers and Acceptances, linked to the Career Strategy website and contained in Student Recruiting Policies & Procedures. Keep in mind that while NALP standards are useful, they may not govern every situation.
You may contact the other employers you care most about and tell them that while you remain very interested in them, you have received an offer that you must consider over the next XX weeks / days. Politely ask these employers if they can tell you where you stand, so that you may consider the prospect of working with them.
Be prepared for the possibility that these other employers may not be able to give
you an answer in time to respond to the original offer.
- If You Can't Get Decisions from Other Employers in Time, Consider the Offer
on its Own Terms
- The original offer has its own pros & cons that can be usually be assessed without comparison to another offer.
- An acceptance is a binding obligation; if you accept, you must follow through on your commitment absent extraordinary circumstances. ("Buyer's remorse" doesn't usually qualify as "extraordinary.")
- Declining the offer could free you to accept employment with your first choice-if your first choice in fact makes you an offer.
- But, your first choice may not materialize and, in most instances, the original position will no longer be available.
- If you decide that the offered position meets none of your needs-and you are prepared to continue your job search should your other prospects not materialize-then decline the offer promptly.
- Never Take a Job that You are Certain Would Make You Very Unhappy
If, through your "due diligence," you conclude that accepting the offer would lead to great unhappiness or serious dissatisfaction in your professional or personal life, then decline the offer. A candidate who feels miserable will rarely do their best work; their performance (and their reputation) may seriously suffer.
- When You've Made Your Decision, Tell the Employer Promptly
Whether you are accepting or declining, call the employer as soon as you've decided. Thank the employer for the offer and communicate your decision. If you are declining the offer, explain that it was a difficult decision and that you hope you will cross paths with them in the future. Remember: you may need to pursue that employer again if your circumstances change! If you are accepting, try to confirm details like start date and where you should direct pre-employment questions. While a letter isn't always necessary, we recommend following up your acceptance or declination call with a letter.
- After Accepting an Offer, You are "Off Limits" for any Conflicting
Employment
Promptly withdraw from any other employers who are considering your application-especially all judges and all employers who have granted you interviews. Just as you new employer cannot continue shopping around for a better candidate to take your place, you may not shop around for a better offer. Rescinding your acceptance is not an acceptable option, except under very extraordinary circumstances (like illness, injury, unexpected relocation or inability to work).
- Keep the Career Strategy Office Informed!
Notify the Career Strategy Office when you've accepted employment, whether for part-time, summer, or entry-level. This is the only way we can accurately and intelligently advise students about the job market and where Villanova grads work.
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