How to read a job offer before saying yes
Listen, a job offer is so much more than just that flashy salary number at the top of the email. Sometimes the fine print about bonuses, probation periods, and working hours can really catch you off guard. Thatâs why you have to read everything before signing on the dotted line.
Separate fixed from variable pay
Always separate your guaranteed base pay from the "potential" bonuses. You plan your life around the fixed part; treat the variable stuff as a nice cherry on top, not a guarantee.
Check the operational details
Whatâs their actual remote work policy? Do they expect you to travel constantly or reply to Slack messages on a Sunday night? Interviewers love to gloss over this stuff, but itâs what actually determines your work-life balance.
Read the exit terms too
Nobody wants to think about quitting before they even start, but probation periods, contract length, and notice clauses matter a lot. A genuinely good offer is crystal clear about how the job begins and how it could end.