Look Before You Leap at a New Job

From the Wall Street Journal

By RUTH MANTELL

Karen Chopra knows all about the dangers of "first-offer-itis."

It's a condition in which job seekers itch to take the first
position they are offered, says the Washington, D.C.-based career
counselor. And in this time of high unemployment, more people are
inclined to do just that.

But rather than letting her clients succumb, Ms. Chopra will discuss
a position's pros and cons with them to figure out how much they like
the job versus how much they just want to stop searching.

Jason Greenberg

"Most
people hate the job search," she says. "It's an anxiety-producing time.
But there are real dangers to taking a job that is not a good fit."

If you're in a job you dislike, for instance, you may not perform
well. And if you leave the job after a few months, there will be a
short stint to explain on your résumé.

While there can be a tremendous amount of pressure to rejoin the
ranks of the gainfully employed, experts recommend that seekers try to
curb desperation. "You are planning your career as opposed to just
getting another job," says Randy Miller, founder and chief executive of
ReadyMinds, a Lyndhurst, N.J., provider of online career counseling and
coaching. "Take a step back, be clear on what you want to do.
Otherwise, you will be in the same position six months later."

Of course, you must calculate whether you can afford to pass on an
offer. Job seekers without any savings may not be in a position to say
"no."

For those who can afford to be pickier, here are five tips on what
type of offers to take a pass on and what warning signs to watch out
for:

A Big Step Down

With more than six million jobs lost since
the recession began, many job seekers have less leverage when it comes
to salary. Nonetheless, a real low-ball offer is a red flag, Ms. Chopra
says.

It can be tough for workers to figure out how low is too low, Mr.
Miller says, adding that job seekers should stay strong as long as they
know they are worth more than a company's low offer.

"In today's times, the employee is asked to do a lot more," he says.
"If you are not making the money you are supposed to, you will probably
be miserable."

Job seekers also should be wary of taking a title that's too far
below their most recent position, says Allison O'Kelly, chief executive
of Mom Corps, an Atlanta-based staffing firm specializing in flexible
employment.

At least temporarily, a salary can be less important than a title,
Ms. O'Kelly says, because "it will be hard to get back into the higher
role." She adds that "people looking at your résumé will wonder why you
were willing to take such a low-level position. They will think you
should be more resourceful and able to find other jobs. I would prefer
seeing that you are earning a little less, but that your title remains
at a higher level. You will be better off."

Too-Quick Offers

Jobs that are offered very quickly may be
worth passing on, says Walter Akana, a career strategist in Decatur,
Ga. "It could be a sign that the company has lots of turnover and [is]
desperate on some level as well," he says.

While it can be unnerving, waiting awhile for an offer isn't
necessarily a bad thing, Mr. Akana adds. "The company is under pressure
to fill the position in the best way possible," he says, "so sometimes
the process can take time."

No Written Offer

Companies that don't provide a written
offer may be worth avoiding, says Mr. Miller. And that's particularly
important during times when many firms are struggling.

Verbal offers "mean you really have nothing to stand on because the
employer can renege," he says. "If it's a legitimate job offer,
everything should be in writing."

A contract with a specific description of the job could protect you from having your position radically altered.

"The more you have in the document, the more it could protect you,
it's minimizing your risk," Mr. Miller says. "You still run the risk of
getting laid off. But it's better to have the piece of paper than
nothing at all."

Too Few Answers

A potential employer's reluctance to answer
questions should give you pause, says Ms. Chopra. Employers who are
worried that a position may not be attractive to a particular candidate
may try to conceal or avoid certain specifics, she says.

Another giveway: when employers won't allow job candidates to speak with a prospective supervisor.

"You can work for a great company, but have a miserable supervisor,
and that determines how you feel about the company," Ms. Chopra says.
"The supervisor determines your day-to-day happiness."

Unpleasantness

If company insiders are difficult during
negotiations, you may want to take a pass on a job, Ms. Chopra says.
"Generally speaking, your treatment is not going to improve once you
are hired," she says.

Write to Ruth Mantell at ruth.mantell@dowjones.com