You know your career better than anyone else, but it can be difficult to decide whether to accept a sales job offer. If you have reservations about accepting a job offer, know that oftentimes these doubts are the first hint your career path may be about to take a detour by accepting sales job offer propositions that are not right for you. Reflect on the following three accepting sales job offer considerations to determine whether you are on the right track.

Accepting Sales Job Offer Consideration #1: How Well Defined Is the Position?

All companies update business processes and offerings regularly, but vague statements about what the offered position is, what the responsibilities are, and what the ultimate goals of the position will be, could be an indication of a company without a firm direction, a situation that can be frustrating for you as a sales person and for prospective clients.

You should also be careful to compare the written job offer with the verbal offer. Mismatches between what you expected and what you are receiving may indicate disagreements between executives at your potential new employer or simple miscommunication. Either scenario is cause to be wary, since continuing problems in these areas once you begin work could impact your productivity and your future career.

Accepting Sales Job Offer Consideration #2: Are Salary and Compensation in the Right Range?

Salary and compensation are not the only concerns in accepting sales job offers, but they are important. If you are working on building your career you do not want to take a pay cut unless there are exceptional factors at play, such as an opportunity to work with a well-recognized industry leader or outstanding non-cash compensation, such as living expenses. If accepting a sales job offer means accepting lower salary and compensation, think carefully about the benefits of doing so and how you will explain the pay cut to future employers. It could potentially undermine your negotiating power for your next position.

With that in mind, if the salary and compensation in a sales job offer are close to reaching what you expect, do not hesitate to negotiate your way into the right range before accepting by:

• Providing salary estimates for similar positions in the industry from respected publications
• Showing the strength of your sales abilities to support higher compensation
• Asking for higher compensation based on deliverables, such as a higher percentage on commission, stock options in lieu of cash, or higher bonus payments

Accepting Sales Job Offer Consideration #3: How Does It Fit with Your Career Goals?

Every sales job you hold is another step in your career, an important accepting sales job offer consideration. Your resume should communicate how you have continually advanced along your desired career path in furtherance of your own goals. A sales job that does not support your long term targets will not help you get to where you want to go. Ask yourself the following questions to measure how a sales job offer might help you advance:

• Is it in or strongly related to the industry where you really want to be?
• Are the actual and potential responsibilities supportive of your goals?
• Will you learn new skills that you can use or build on later?
• Is the company culture a fit to your working habits and preferences?
• Are there pathways to advancement, including supervisory and management roles?
• Can the company or its executives and managers support your future efforts?

If you can’t answer the questions you have about any accepting sales job offer considerations, you might not have enough information to be accepting the sales job offer. Although it is not the most comfortable situation to be in, it is a good idea to call back the company making the offer and ask for the information that you need to make a firm decision. Your career will thank you for it.