What to Look at in a New Job?

April 20, 2007 — -- Dear Working Wounded: I'm negotiating over a new job. I know what salary I'm pushing for. What other things should I put on the table? TOUGH SLEDDING

Dear TOUGH,

I was once taking the train between New York City and Philadelphia. The train was packed, so I was delighted to find the last open seat. I noticed that the lever to adjust the seat was broken, but I was just happy to be sitting. That is until about 20 minutes into the ride, when I realized that the angle of the seat was killing my back.

Heck, my back aches just remembering that train ride. A job can be like that too. You get so focused on one thing, the pay, that you overlook other issues that can become back breakers. I've listed a few things to consider below. For more, check out Alan Nierenberg's book "Winning the Interview Game" (Amacom, 2005). -- WW

Ask these questions and your new seat in the company will be a heck of a lot more comfortable:

What are the official, and unofficial, hours? I'm not exactly Mr. Rise and Shine, so it's important for me to ask the hours that I'll be expected to work. But don't stop there, also find out if people are expected to put in a bunch of extra hours, unofficially.

Where will you be expected to work? Sound obvious? I can't tell you how many people have written to me thinking that they'd be working in the facility where they were interviewed only later to learn they were in the Siberia office. Ask right from the start where you'll be hanging your hat.

What benefits will you receive? Benefits are huge. Health care, employer 401(k) contributions and education reimbursements can really add up. So ask about benefits. But don't view anything as being etched in stone, I've heard from people who negotiated for a better deal.

What kind of support can you expect to receive? Secretaries, these days, have begun to seem like a faint memory, like dinosaurs -- something that existed many years ago. But many companies do have resources -- administrative, technical, research, etc.-- that can make a huge difference in what you can accomplish. Remember, your negotiating clout will never be greater than when they want to hire you but you haven't yet signed the bottom line.

Whom will you be working with? The workers, like the angle of your seat, can have a huge bearing on how happy you'll be working for this company. Don't hesitate to ask about the team you'll be working with. Heck, even see if you can meet them before you sign up.

What does the company severance package look like? One of Covey's Seven Habits of Successful People is to always begin with the end in mind. And that's why I think it's important to always ask about severance. It may seem morbid, but it's important to know how things will end before you start your new job.

"Nobody roots for Goliath." -- Wilt Chamberlain

An educated guess. … Top job of college graduates and noncollege graduates

Bob Rosner is a best-selling author, speaker and internationally syndicated columnist. He'd love to hear your thoughts on this topic, especially if you have better ideas than he does. His books include "The Boss's Survival Guide" and "Gray Matters: The Workplace Survival Guide." Send your questions or comments to him via: bob@workingwounded.com.

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