1 Accepting and rejecting job offers Tom Davie Careers Advisory Service 49 New Elvet

2 Accepting and rejecting job offers Purpose of today’s session is to look at:  What constitutes a job offer in the UK  How to consider whether to accept or decline an offer of employment  How factors such as salary and conditions of service can influence the decision above

3 Accepting and rejecting job offers Before we look at job offers we need to look at the purpose of the interview that leads to this. It is about them selecting you BUT It is also about you selecting them Agree?  Disagree?

4 Accepting and rejecting job offers What are you judging then on?  The culture of the institution/company  The rewards – financial; training…  Progression – opportunities for promotion; the secure a permanent contract You may know all or most of this before the day of selection but you can find out more at interview/assessment centre

5 Accepting and rejecting job offers What do employers say about the selection process? “We see the first interview as a two way process - a chance for us to get to know you and for you to find out more about us.” “Our interviews are a two way process. First interview is an Initial discussion of your abilities and the job itself...second interview is a further opportunity to get to know us. You are here for a full day, staying overnight in a local hotel, and spending the evening with people from the relevant department. On the interview day we test your abilities and knowledge but also show you more of what we do...”

6 Accepting and rejecting job offers When/how is a job offer made?  Rarely on the same day  Sometimes by telephone  Always at some point in the process by letter or

7 Accepting and rejecting job offers Ask for time to think if:  You have another interview pending  If you have issues over the terms and conditions of the offer  You cannot get hold of a partner/spouse etc who needs to be consulted

8 Accepting and rejecting job offers If you have doubts at interview about the culture of the organisation or the ‘fit’ of the job to you. You could:  Address the concerns as questions at the end of the interview  Withdraw and save yourself and themselves time  Continue through the selection process for practise

9 Accepting and rejecting job offers What might you receive when you are offered a job?  A letter confirming the appointment  A contract  A medical questionnaire?  A bank details form?  Pensions information  Relocation details

10 Accepting and rejecting job offers The contract may include all or most of these: DDetails of duties CConditions of service: start date, salary, hours of work, holiday entitlement, notice required to leave the post You MUST agree/sign the contract and return any requested paperwork

11 Accepting and rejecting job offers Reneging on a job offer Not a good idea! Best to clarify issues of concern:  At the job interview  When an offer of employment has been made verbally Negotiate with the employer – it’s worth a try

12 Accepting and rejecting job offers Reneging on a signed contract:  Illegal! “When accepting an unconditional offer, decline all other offers. Be aware of what is being signed up to. The acceptance in writing of an unconditional offer forms a contract.” AGR/AGCAS/NUS Best Practise in Graduate Recruitment “The contract of employment is binding on both parties” “All employees taken on for one month or more are entitled by law to be given, within two months of the date the employment starts, a written statement setting out the main particulars. This statement will not necessarily cover every aspect of the contract, but will constitute important evidence of the principal terms and conditions.” DTi

13 Accepting and rejecting job offers Reneging on a signed contract: Some worse case scenarios…  They could sue you for breach of contract  They could ask you to work the notice that you would have had to give had you started with them  They find out that you have reneged to work for a ‘competitor’ – networks are sometimes small you could have blackened your name in the profession!

14 Accepting and rejecting job offers Some sources of information      ation.aspx ation.aspx  / dealing_with__job_offers.pdf / dealing_with__job_offers.pdf