Quick answer
Compare the whole role against your needs and unanswered questions.
- Start with: Confirm responsibilities and reporting line
- Finish with: Ask for key terms in writing
- Pause if: Do not rely on verbal promises
Primary sources for this guide: ILO Bureau for Workers' Activities; Acas workplace advice (United Kingdom). Check the source that applies to your location and situation before acting.
Know when to escalate: If the situation involves immediate danger, suspected crime, serious health symptoms or a deadline with major legal or financial consequences, contact the appropriate local emergency service, official body or qualified professional.
A step-by-step plan
Confirm responsibilities and reporting line
Confirm daily responsibilities, manager, team and success measures. Compare the actual role with the advertisement and interview discussion.
Compare total compensation and costs
Calculate salary, variable pay, benefits, commuting, equipment and transition costs using written terms and conditions.
Assess schedule, location and growth
Consider working hours, location expectations, flexibility, learning and likely next roles alongside immediate compensation.
If you need to compare options before acting, use the Decision Matrix.
Ask for key terms in writing
Request important promises and conditions in the formal offer. Allow time to clarify gaps before resigning from a current position.
If you decide not to accept, rebuild the next search cycle with How to Plan a Job-Search Week.
Common mistakes and warning signs
Use these checks as reasons to slow down and verify the situation. One warning sign alone does not settle every case.
- Do not rely on verbal promises
- Benefits have conditions
- Consider the cost of leaving your current role
Progress checkpoints
| Checkpoint | What you should have |
|---|---|
| Before acting | Confirm responsibilities and reporting line |
| Before finishing | Ask for key terms in writing |
| Reason to pause | Do not rely on verbal promises |
Final checklist
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Sources and further verification
Rules and official processes vary by country and can change. Use the responsible organization for your location and situation. These starting points may cover a different jurisdiction.
Help.You editors structured this page around the task sequence, reviewed it for avoidable risk and checked that its claims stay within general informational scope. Read our content process.