So you’ve answered an ad in the paper or used a Phoenix job placement agency to get an interview. It went well, and the phone call just came–you’re hired! Now what?

Times today are tough, and you might be so happy to get a job that you just accept and make your move, especially if you have no competing offers. Before you say “yes” to any job offer, though, take at least a few hours to think it over. Nearly any employer will give you time to consider an offer of employment, and if you’ve received a job offer through a Phoenix job placement agency, you’ll be told up front exactly how much time you have to make your decision. In some cases, you may be able to negotiate salary range with the employer or begin talking about fringe benefits and flexible work schedules –options which may have more wiggle room and personal customization. If you have other, competing offers, now is the time to leverage them– a competing offer can be a stimulus to the salary component in your next offer

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Remember to be both courteous and confident in negotiations, and avoid being seen as too aggressive. It is still an employer’s market, and employers reserve the right to revoke job offers if they perceive a prospective employee as arrogant or inflexible during the negotiation process. Employers want to hire people who are motivated by the work and the mission of the company and not just the compensation associated with the job. Be sure to show your enthusiasm for the job offered and the company you are invited to join.
If you already have a job, you’ll also need to remember to have an exit strategy. Decide when you’ll be ready to give your notice and what the last day of your employment will be. If you have a temporary job through a Phoenix employment agency, notify the agency right away when you decide to accept a job offer. They can relay the news to your temporary supervisor.

Sometimes, an employer will want you to start work immediately–without giving you enough time for adequate notice. If this happens, you may want to try to negotiate an arrangement with your current employer to work part-time during the transition. Taking time to fully inform your current employer about the situation can help you secure an excellent reference the next time you’re applying for a new job.