When you receive a job offer, it’s surely a thrill — you have proven yourself employable, and now comes the benefits of what you have been doing in school or training! Accepting a job offer as a non-domestic worker is just as thrilling but for those unfamiliar with the work industry in the U.S., here are some things to keep in mind when you are issued your job offer.
Job Responsibilities:
Make sure you understand the specific responsibilities and duties associated with the job—you will likely have a job description but that does not always include all the ‘miscellaneous duties’ which will come your way. Job posts (like the ones that can be filtered for you on FrogHire.ai) can be both specific and generalized, so make sure you ask about the details of your day to day. Talk to the person who is vacating the position (if you can) since they will have firsthand experience (and advice) to give you. Think about how this job will align with your skills, qualifications, and career goals.
Compensation and Benefits:
Review the offered salary or hourly wage, and calculate if it meets your financial needs and expectations. Ask about additional benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, bonuses, paid time off or, if you are joining a larger company or a senior level position, stock options. While often there is little room for negotiation at the entry level, you can always professionally attempt to negotiate. It is important to understand the full benefits package, which may include vacation days (and if they rollover), sick leave, holidays, and any other perks.
Work Hours and Schedule:
Clarify the regular work hours, days of the week, and any expectations for overtime, holiday or weekend work. Post-COVID, some organizations allow for remote work and if this is something of value to you, discuss flexibility in the work schedule.
Location and Commute:
Consider the location of the job. Is it in a location you want to live in, or would you commute? If you will commute, make sure to include those costs into your budget as you consider the compensation package you have been offered.
Job Security and Career Growth:
Ask about the long-term prospects of the position within the company and potential opportunities for career advancement—note that in smaller companies there may be less opportunity for movement up the chain of command, but you might also find varied tasks in a small company, thus growing your transferable skills for the next job you apply for. And when you are ready to move on, download the FrogHire.ai extension, which will evaluate your resume and help you fine tune your resume for each job you apply for!
Legal and Contractual Matters:
Carefully review the employment contract, including terms, conditions, and any non-compete or confidentiality clauses. While most people do not seek legal advice for lower level position offers, seek legal advice if you have any concerns about the contract. As a non-domestic worker, you will want to clarify how the company will sponsor your work visa.
Company Policies:
Make sure you know the company’s policies, including those related to dress code, ethics, and code of conduct. Oftentimes, this will be covered in a Human Resources orientation, and when it comes to dress code: always better overdressed than under-dressed!
Training and On-boarding:
Ask about the training and onboarding process to ensure a smooth transition into your new role; who will be training you and how will you get the supervision you need as you initially move into this new job?
Legal Compliance:
Ensure that your employment is in compliance with labor laws and regulations in your area, including minimum wage laws, working hour restrictions, and employment rights. This will require you to do some research on your own time, but you want to make sure you are being treated equitably. As a non-domestic worker, know what the H-1B work visa is, along with details such as the prevailing wage.
TLDR: Though you might be ready to accept an offer out of mere excitement, make sure you evaluate the job offer and ask questions if you are uncertain about any part of the position you have been offered. By carefully considering all the above mentioned items, you will be able to step into your new role with knowledge and confidence that you have done your due diligence! If you are still in the process of job hunting, download the FrogHire.ai extension, which will help you search across all five major job websites and filter your search by work visa sponsorship, industry, and location, amongst other considerations.
