What do I do if I get an offer?

 

An offer will be made one of 4 ways:

  1. face-to-face at the conclusion of an interview
  2. hardcopy letter delivered by USPS
  3. emailed PDF
  4. phone call

The offer will include salary, start date and perhaps an explanation of benefits and studio assignment.  The offer is usually stated “at will”.  This means you are free to quit any time you want, and the firm is free to terminate you at any time.  

{“At will” means that the offer is not a “binding contract” that is sometimes offered in countries outside of the USA —- a contract requires the firm to employ you for a minimum of a year, and you are bound to work for the firm for a minimum of one year.}

When you get that offer … pause, take a deep breath, and then:

Clarify the compensation (or not) for overtime, 401K benefits, andyour individual premium payment for your health insurance (premium is not the same as your “coverage”) The premium amount will not be automatically included in an offer because the firm is not allowed to ask you if you are single, married, or have dependents; you need to offer that info.  You must have OT, retirement and insurance information in order to make a sound decision.

Tell the employer you are grateful for the offer.  State that this is an important decision, and you would like a little time to consider it.  Ask “What is the deadline for my response?”

If the firm says “in 10 minutes” or a deadline that you know you will be too soon for you to make a decision because you have other interviews and offers pending … .

Say “OK, I will contact you before that deadline!”  And then meet that deadline.

Then call any other firms you have been pursuing to let them know you have an offer with a deadline of “XXX”.  Ask the firm if it is possible to interview or confirm an offer before that deadline. IF not, ask the firm that already made an offer if you can get an extension on the deadline because you are committed to other interviews.

At this point, luck and circumstances of timing will take control.  You will have to start making hard decisions to take an offer without knowing “what could have been” with the other firm.  Even if you DON’T have an offer from another firm … you may feel compelled to take an offer so it does not become “the one that got away.”  This kind of decision is only fun when you are 110% convinced it will be the right one. 

And then … haven’t we all had the experience of realizing after the fact that our “good decision” has hidden problems. When a job isn’t a good fit, give it some time, speak up to create a change, consider staying for at least one year, start looking for another job, move on to another job when it feels right to make the change … graciously … without burning a bridge.

As difficult as this process can be, you will not be making a life-long decision that will cause harm to your career because … you can remedy the problem in a professional way.  There is a lot of movement between firms for most architects.  The profession is so diverse that changing jobs is the way to understand its breadth.  In a creative profession, it is best to find a good fit for your talent & lifestyle.

Your first professional job will probably not determine your career.  Nor your second.  Your third job may be more important in determining your likely career path, especially because you will be older and interested in putting down roots.  And time will help you know your interests & your strengths.

One way to de-stress about this is to reflect back to decisions you had to make in the past and how it all went down … and how you recovered from the “bad” decisions … and how all the stress you experienced then seems funny … now that you can see how it all worked out.

How do I choose between job offers?

How will you decide which offer is best?  Use this checklist to find the positives of “Firm A” and compare them to the positives of “Firm B”:

  •   Firm Portfolio: project type, diversity, client base
  •   Level of Responsibility offered: drafting, design, client contact, site visits
  •   Firm Workspace: cubicles, lighting, kitchen, furniture, size of firm
  •   Firm Culture: social energy, weekly pin-ups, design competitions, community service projects
  •  Commute: time, distance, and cost
  •   Health Benefits: monthly premium cost, co-pays, prescription, mental health coverage
  •  Fringe Benefits: vacation, sick days/personal days, flex hours, health club, rail pass
  •   Salary: overtime pay, bonus plan, access to 401K, firm’s contribution to 401K

 In other words, if a firm has a great portfolio and will offer a high level of responsibility, that may be acceptable to you even if the workspace is dismal, the culture is “off”, the commute is too long, the benefits are poor, and the salary low. 

Or you might decide that your personal priority is to be able to walk to the office and pay off your bills, so you may be willing to trade off the firm’s portfolio if you can have a high level of responsibility and earn a higher salary. The key to making this decision is to “know thyself”. 

What are your personal priorities and what are your career values? 

Rank the following workplace values, from 1 to 20, with #1 being your top priority: 

Accept

How do I respond to a job offer?

I just received a job offer.  I want to take the job; how do I reply?

If the offer was sent to you by an email PDF attachment … respond in the same fashion.

 If it was simply written in the body of an email, ok to reply the same way.

If it was a phone call, and they are still waiting for your answer, call them. 

Email offer:  Call to respond as soon as you decide.  Usually email offers request that you sign an offer letter and return it via USPS but, regardless, ask about this when you make the phone call.

In other words, reply to them in the same way that they contacted you.

Maybe

Can I ask for more time to decide on a job offer?

Absolutely!

The worst they can say is no.

Keep in mind:

You may still have to stick to the original deadline because if you refuse their offer, they will still want time to contact another potential employee. They are also worried that another firm could make an offer to you or the other students they are interested in which would impair their potential to hire those they are most interested in.

In the meantime:

You should also contact other firms you interviewed with and are still interested in to let them know you are still interested, but have another offer you are considering. Tell them that the deadline for your response is a couple days before the deadline given to you by the original firm to allow yourself time to deliberate. Assure them that you do not want to rush their process at all, but that you are seriously interested in the possibility of an offer from them and you want to know if that might be an option before you say “yes” to the first firm.

How can I respond without committing?

If a firm is interested in hiring you, but you are not sure yet, it would be nice to keep your options open.

For instance:

The firm that I worked for last summer is emailing me, wanting to know if I have any thoughts about returning to work for them this coming summer.  I don’t
want to close that door yet because I haven’t made a final decision, but I don’t want to commit to them at this time.  How do you think I should respond to that email? 

Here is an idea for your reply:

Dear Former Firm,
It is great to hear from you.  Thanks for writing to me about Summer 08.  I have good memories of last summer at your firm.  I have definitely been thinking about this coming summer, but I have not made a final decision yet.  I am committed to a few more interviews, and I need to think about housing, too.  When will you need to have my final answer?  I will be sure to meet your deadline.

Thanks again,
Me

If it’s a new firm you’re unsure about:

 

Dear Firm,
Thanks for writing to me about Summer 08.  I have definitely been thinking about this coming summer, but I have not made a final decision yet. I am committed to a few more interviews, and I need to think about housing, too. When will you need to have my final answer?  I will be sure to meet your deadline.

Thanks again,
Me

 

Extending Deadline- Sample

Dear Ms. Fallin,

I spoke with Ms. Sheils last week on the phone regarding a couple of details of the offer that I received from Gensler DC. I believe she told you that I would be officiallyreplying to the offer today.

I am wondering if it is possible to extend this deadline to the end of this week, Friday April 25 at 5pm.  There are a couple of things I wanted to go over with my family, and I haven’t had the chance to do that in deference to my Thesis Project deadlines.

Gensler has always been one of my top choices, and I’m very excited about this opportunity. If it is acceptable for me to respond to you at the end of this week, that would be great. Please let me know what works best with your process.

Sincerely

Summer Internship - Sample

The firm that I worked for last summer is emailing me, wanting to know if I have any thoughts about returning to work for them this coming summer.  I don’t want to close that door yet because I haven’t made a final decision, but I don’t want to commit to them at this time.  How do you think I should respond to that email? 

“Dear Former Firm,

It is great to hear from you.  Thanks for writing to me about Summer 08.  I have good memories of last summer at your firm.  I have definitely been thinking about this coming summer, but I have not made a final decision yet.  I am committed to a few more interviews, and I need to think about housing, too. When will you need to have my final answer?  I will be sure to meet your deadline.

Decline

How to Decline an Offer ?

A decision to decline an offer is usually based on the fact that another offer is a better fit for your interests and goals. It is fine to state this, without giving details about why the declined offer is not a fit. Do not state anything negative such as “the projects are more interesting” or “the design quality is more what I’m interested in”.

It is not necessary to state whose offer you accepted, but you may do so if you wish.

Remember that this employer may be a contact for you in the future.

Maintain professional, courteous relations.  Be sure to tell the truth because this is a small profession and the network is tight —- and you are representing other Syracuse Architecture alums as well as yourself.

If most of your contact has been phone, call.

If most of your contact has been email, email.

Step 1

Contact an employer immediately with your decision to decline a job offer. Employers often keep lists of backup options for each position. It is polite to provide a prompt response, so that an employer can contact the next choice.

Step 2

Begin all correspondence and phone calls with thanks to employer for his/her consideration.

Step 3

Consider one of these explanations:  I have decided to accept another offer because:

Plans changed:  Not moving to that city (truth? you don’t want to see them on the street one day)

  •  Decided to go to Grad School
  • Taking more time to finish thesis
  • Taking classes this summer
  • Unexpected summer travel

                                   

Firm B may be a better fit for me because:

                             I have a strong interest in certain project type (something that Firm A doesn’t do)

                             I want to work in a larger, smaller firm

                             I need to work in a firm closer to home —- commute

Step 4

Check all written correspondence for typographical errors and grammar before submission. A  poorly written letter in your file may haunt you later.  It sometimes happens that a person takes an offer from Firm A, discovers that Firm A is not as expected, and then wants to revive an option with Firm B.

Step 5

Contact the appropriate person when you choose to decline a job offer. Keep emails, letters and business cards during the interview process to help you get in touch with the right professional.

The more exchanges and meetings that you have had, the more reason to decline the offer on the phone.  You want this to appear as a natural communication.  For instance, if the firm made an offer on the phone, you would decline on the phone.

Points to make:

  • Thank you for the offer.
  • Enjoyed meeting you and learning about your firm.
  •  This was a very difficult decision.

Remember:

It is not a time to make unfavorable comparisons or to belittle.

You do not need to tell them where you will be working or why

… but it is acceptable to do that as long as you keep it positive, upbeat, and professional.  In other words, you wouldn’t say you took a job in another firm because the design work is better or the location is better but you might say that the other firm is closer to family/friends or the work is a good fit for your area of research.

 

Sample Letter (or Script for Call):  Decline an Offer

Dear Ms. Swietzer:

Thank you very much for your telephone call and letter offering me the position of Intern Architect with DesignPlus+. While I appreciate the challenging opportunity you offer, I have had another offer which I believe more closely matches my current career goals and interests. Therefore, although it was a difficult decision, I must decline your offer. I do appreciate all the courtesy and hospitality extended to me by your office, and I wish you well in your endeavors.

In the position I have accepted, I will occasionally be on in Cambridge to attend client meetings, so I hope we see each other in the future.

(Your hand-written ink signature if on paper)

Your full name, typed

 

Dear Mr. Mellish:

Thank you for the time and effort you spent considering me for a position as Model-Builder. I also appreciate the efforts of your staff. I am grateful for your offer of employment.

Because I was so impressed with ImageDreams, I had a difficult decision to make. After much thought and careful deliberation, however, I have decided to decline your offer.

I wish you and ImageDreams the best continued success. I hope our paths will cross again in the future.

Thank you again for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
(ink signature)

Jane Oakley                           

 

Dear Mr. Gilhooley,

Thank you very much for offering me the position of Graphic Designer and Webmaster at your firm. It was a difficult decision to make, but, I have accepted a position with another company.

I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to interview me and your consideration.

Best Regards,

(ink signature)

John Ferguson

 

Dear Melissa and Eric,

I have thought carefullly about your employment offer.  Regretably, I have decided to decline your offer.

 It was a very difficult decision, based on the fact that I want to live in a city where I already have a support network. Thank you for showing interest in me and my work. I enjoyed visiting your office and I really like Ayers Saint Gross: the work, the people, and the office itself.  I appreciate the generosity of your time spent showing the office and city to me. 

I wish all the best of success to you and Ayers Saint Gross.

Sincerely,

Casie