Do you think that there is a job that is 100% custom made for you? The perfect tasks, the right salary, the environment that fits your personality entirely, never too much, never too little, a job that will satisfy all your needs? Do you think that a company can know you, as an employee, so well, that it would anticipate when you are not happy and they would do anything in their power to keep you satisfied?

The answer is… wake up from your dream.

Truth is you usually settle for what’s out there.

Studies show that only 30% of the employees are happy at their job.

Most of today’s companies, including high tech companies, still use outdated practices to respond to the talent market’s requirments. And I’m not talking about software tools, or not only that.

I’m talking about biases. I’m talking about poor decision making techniques. Unpredictable management changes. Lack of stability. No transparency. Unpaid tasks. Unexisting work-life balance. No appreciation or recognition systems. 

Shall I continue?

But let’s face it – Some of us are pretty much settling.

Is settling for “good enough”… good enough? And where is the healthy border between settling and accepting when something is good enough?

And I’m talking here to both employees and employers.

So what is a good enough job offer?

Before we start I must say – there is no perfect formula, since we are all different, with different wants and needs, some prefer more flexibility while others will indulge in stability, some want more office time, others may prefer remote, and so on. However, I think there are some major green flags when it comes to accepting a job offer. And with that in mind, here are the most important things to consider when accepting a job offer:

1. How they treated you during the interview – The best HR specialists know that the better they treat you during the interview, the higher are the chances you’ll accept their offer if they present you with one. A company that’s gonna treat you with dignity and respect during the interview is probably a company that’s gonna treat you with dignity and respect after you start. So yes, you may be on your best behaviour when attending a job interview, but keep also an eye on your possible next Hr team. You need someone to back you up in case of anything and HR will be your people. Also, keep in mind that organisations have a culture, which means that the behaviour and approach of the employees tell you everything you need to know about how you’re going to feel working there, everyday. If you had a bad experience at an interview, don’t gaslight yourself. If the chemistry isn’t there… it simply isn’t there! And it’s fine not to have chemistry with every employer. 
2. The boss’ attitude – Was the boss engaged in the interview with you? Was she or he genuinely happy about your candidacy? Was she or he passionate about the products they are selling? Because if the boss is engaged, it means the team is also engaged. And one absolutely essential metric for your future workplace is how you will be FEELing there, considering you will be spending most of your time surrounded by those people. It will reflect on your mental health, on your mood, on your career advancement, on whether you will have a work-life balance or not, and so on.
3. Your responsibilities are clear and specific, and you have clarity regarding your future role. Your job offer should help you understand what’s expected of you and it should be realistic to achieve by one person. 
4. Last but not least, one of the major green flags when accepting a new job offer is the wage. If you requested a certain amount and they gave you what you asked for, or even more, or even better than that, or the best case scenario, is when you asked for more than their budget and they  actually made an effort to upgrade their budget for you… That’s where you belong! Remember – effort beats talent! When people get out of their way for you, it means you are respected and appreciated. You cannot grow without trust and that’s the way the company is showing you its love – through money and respect. Simple, right?

These are the most important aspects to consider when accepting a job offer. Now, if you are in HR keep in mind that a quality candidate will have high standards and it’s normal. Don’t be afraid to show how interested you are in a candidate. You may be in corporate HR, but authenticity is still the major hiring KPI you’re looking for.