has anyone been offered a job they weren;t sure they wanted? how did you go about getting more info and making your mind up?

[hatwoman]

I've been offered a new job but am really not very sure I should take it. I am open to being persauded, however. What I want to know is what's the norm for talking about a job/finding more about it after you've been offered it. What sort of time frame should I aim for to make a final decision? Is it reasonable to ask to talk to the other person in the organisation who is already in the same job? - (so far I have only talked to boss and boss's boss.)The job description is pretty loose - is it reasonable to ask what specific projects I would be expected to work on in, say, the first year? And can I explicitly ask about the pay grade - obviously I know the salary but I'd like to know what grade it is and how it places me overall in the organisation. and should I do all this by phone or should I ask to come into the office again? If I'm really honest my heart isn;t in this job - but it does have certain benefits (a change being one of them). Am I in danger of stringing them along if I ask to meet them again? should I just say no and let them get on with offering it to someone else?

Really, don't worry about them, you've got to find out enough about it to be able to make the right decision for you. My answers to your qs below:

What I want to know is what's the norm for talking about a job/finding more about it after you've been offered it
I THINK IT'S FINE TO ASK MORE BY EMAIL OR PHONE

What sort of time frame should I aim for to make a final decision? WHEN YOU FEEL YOU'VE HAD LONG ENOUGH, A FEW DAYS IS STANDARD/OVER A WEEKEND NOT UNUSUAL IME

Is it reasonable to ask to talk to the other person in the organisation who is already in the same job? NOT USUALLY IN MY LINE OF WORK BUT MAY BE USUAL IN ACADEMIA (IS THAT WHERE YOU ARE?)- (so far I have only talked to boss and boss's boss.)

The job description is pretty loose - is it reasonable to ask what specific projects I would be expected to work on in, say, the first year? ABSOLUTELY!!

And can I explicitly ask about the pay grade - obviously I know the salary but I'd like to know what grade it is and how it places me overall in the organisation. OF COURSE

and should I do all this by phone or should I ask to come into the office again? TELL THEM WHAT YOU WANT BY PHONE AND THEY/YOU MAY DECIDE A MEETING IS APPROPRIATE

If I'm really honest my heart isn;t in this job - but it does have certain benefits (a change being one of them) LIST PROS AND CONS, GET THE ANSWERS ABOVE AND ONLY TRY TO DECIDE THEN, ONCE YOU HAVE ALL THE INFO, YOU CAN'T DECIDE UNTIL THEN

Am I in danger of stringing them along if I ask to meet them again? should I just say no and let them get on with offering it to someone else? SO WHAT, DO WHAT'S BEST FOR YOU

HTH

thanks www. you've kind of confirmed what I feel is the best approach - but I've never been in this situation before! in a way it's kind of nice.

Ask if targets are set and by whom

Also how your perfomance is monitored and reviewed (who/how often)

Obtain a list of accountabilities

Will you have decision making or budgetry control (if applicable), how much autonomy will you have

Pay grade - is is a formal pay band, where does the salary sit within that. How do you escalate up the scale. How is salary reviewed (annual across board or linked to performance). How does it compare to other roles within the company

I would think asap but suggest you give them a call to explain that yes you are keen but you need further information to make a final decision, would it therefore be possible to come in for another meeting? You might also provide them with a list of your queries before you go so they can be prepared for the meeting.

If they aren't willing or it doesn't convince you, turn them down at that stage. Any good employer would be completely understandable and happy to comply.