You just got a new job offer! Congrat commiserations. Your freedom is gone but at least you’ll have money.
Here is a guide for new starters:
· If this hasn’t come up already (red flag), ask for high yet suitable salary. Research what the role usually earns in your area. Consider your experience. Don’t lowball yourself. Ask for a little higher than you expect, and settle for what you expect.
· Negotiate your employment contract. This depends on your bargaining power and country. In Europe, you should at the very least be asking for mutual termination notice periods. If you know you’ll want to stay in the industry, shave off those non-compete/non-solicit/trial periods.
· Get everything in writing. This is harder than it sounds. HR recruiters will do crazy acrobatics to avoid writing you anything in email. If they mention any benefits you may get, ask them to confirm it in writing. Or if they won’t, email them and confirm “as we just discussed, there will be a 1.5x overtime rate” for example.
· CYA – Cover Your Ass. It hardly matters what you actually do, it’s what you’re seen to be doing. Toxic workplaces will have bully/blame cultures and cut corners. Don’t take the blame for their shitty mismanagement! Take credit for what you did, have an explanation for why you did it, and be clear about what you didn’t do (this ties in with get things in writing). Always. Cover. Your. Ass.
· In the first few weeks, give 80% to 90%. OK, that will probably be unpopular in this sub, but let’s be reasonable, you need to keep the job, right? But DON’T do more than you must, because the reward will not be recognition, it’ll be more work. Under-promise and over-deliver, not the other way around.
Happy onboarding!
Disclaimer: this does not constitute legal advice.
P.S. if I’ve missed anything, add it in the comments below!