Accepting or Rejecting Offer - What Should You Do

Assalamualaikum w.b.t and Greetings.

In my previous newsletter, we tackled the difficult topic of being ghosted during the job search process. This time, I’m bringing you to a brighter point in the journey—receiving an offer (or multiple offers). It’s exciting but also overwhelming.

How do you decide whether to accept, negotiate, or decline an offer? That’s what we’ll cover in this newsletter.

The Moment You’ve Been Waiting For
After countless applications, interviews, and moments of doubt, you’ve finally received an offer. It’s a sign that your hard work and persistence have paid off! Before you rush to respond, take a deep breath. This is your moment, but it’s also the time to make a careful decision.

How to Evaluate the Offer

Here are a few key factors to consider:

1. Salary & Benefits: Does it align with your expectations and market standards?

2. Work Culture: Will you thrive in their environment? Look for indicators of work-life balance and employee treatment.

3. Career Growth: Will this role help you grow your skills and move toward your career goals?

4. Job Security: Especially in today’s world, job stability is critical.

I also love to take some time and research on the company background, even before attending any interviews. There are website like Glassdoors where current and past employees share their concern and sometime joy.

Of course, such information can be skewed as it is opinion and emotion, but having more insight on the company you’re about to ‘marry’ will give you better leverage in the long run. Or at the minimum, you know what to expect and it will not surprise you.

Some employer would ask you for your past salary. I often advise those who reach out to me, to politely decline. If needed, they can reach out to your past employer to get that amount they needed.

I was thinking about this, as there is no point in asking for past salary if I’m working in Germany. Giving the employer my EUR salary, does that mean you will offer me EUR salary as well in Malaysia? Obviously not. So be careful with sharing this sensitive information with any employers.

Negotiate or Accept?

Negotiation is often seen as intimidating, but it’s a normal part of the hiring process. If something doesn’t align with your expectations—whether it’s the salary, benefits, or job scope—politely negotiate. Keep your tone respectful, but know your worth.

During negotiation process, most potential employer will give you firsthand the lowest offer. Do not immediately accept an offer. It is also fine to take your time to think through this, but you have to be careful as there are always those next in line waiting for their turn.

If needed, sleep first before accepting/rejecting any offer. If you are hungry, take a moment and eat first. Be in your best shape before accepting/rejecting any offers.

I usually inform my potential employer that I’ll need time to digest and sleep on the offer first, and will get back to them in maximum 1 day. Letting them wait too long, will open a room of doubt for them. Be sure to show that you really appreciate the offer after so long of waiting too!

Every facial expression, tone and body language plays part in this phase. Both party can detect any discomfort, even can see a chance that someone does not like an offer. So always be aware of your body language.

This also means, if you look at the offer and there’s anything you feel that can be better, do not hesitate to negotiate and discuss with them. Majority of us are afraid to negotiate and discuss on this matter, in fear of rejection and facing the sequences.

You came to the interview with nothing and now you have an offer in your hand. What can be worse than death. So voice up and negotiate, but also be sure to gather as much information and facts to support your claims.

An example of how you can approach negotiation

When negotiating, there is a chance that what you propose can be rejected. But there are always middle ground where both party can meet.

For example, if you negotiate X% more salary but it is rejected, you can negotiate something else such as more work from home (WFH) benefit every week or others. Here are some that may interest you:

1. Twice per year appraisal process (I’ll write differently on how to ace this),

2. Medical benefits,

3. Work from anywhere benefit

4. Flexible working hours (if you have children, sick family members, etc)

5. Discounts and offers on products

6. Additional Annual Leave (AL) or Paid Time Off

7. Birthday holiday

8. Relocation stipend

9. Bonus and incentives

Anything, really.
A benefit is not only monetary benefit, it can be anything that will make both party happy. The more experienced and skilled you are, the more leverage you will have.

It’s not a yes or no question. Can I get more salary or not. Can I get this or that. Expand your options beyond yes or no, you will be surprised at what the employer can offer you, you just have to ask. At worst, you already did your best to ask these, rather than wondering what will happened if you had negotiate X or Y 2 years ago.

Remember the genie in the bottle? Where you get 3 wishes of anything you want. What I want you to do is, list down that 3 wishes, and then strike them off. You now have no more possibility to take that 3 wishes. So you have to think of more wishes to get!

This will make you think really really hard, out of the box.

Making a decision, is actually an art.

When to Say No

Sometimes, the best decision is to walk away. If an offer feels wrong—whether it’s due to unclear job expectations, a toxic culture, or poor compensation—trust your instincts. Politely decline, but leave the door open for future opportunities.

One of the mistakes is burning the bridges.

I cannot emphasise how many times I went back to my friend, colleague and past employers just to discuss opportunities. Try to leave the doors open for such opportunities.

Here’s a template for gracefully turning down an offer

Leaving the Driver Seat

Understandably, we are excited. From that excitement, we are prone to make some bad decision, or at least, not maximising our benefit in such offers.

So what I really like to do, is phasing out of my body for a moment. Imagine your spirit temporarily leaving your body, and you are observing your body is in the call (or video call) with the recruiter.

“Oh, I am discussing an offer with the recruiter.”

During this state, ask yourself. What do you think is best for this ‘person’ you are looking at right now (that person is you).

As someone who is observing as a third party, we usually tends to give a great advice. In all honesty, we do give great advice to our friends and colleagues, but rarely do we give a great advice to ourselves.

“Is this offer the best this person can get? Or is there room for negotiation?”

Take a step back from the driver seat, be a passenger in that split seconds, and then hold the steering wheel again.

Sacrificing One for Another

There are also times where you have to sacrifice one for the other.

We cannot have everything in life, nothing is perfect too.

In fact, I do this all the time. Some employer, I do not really enjoy the salary, but the growth potential is exponential! Some, the salary and work life balance is great but I’m working on older tools and products.

Knowing what you are sacrificing in favor of another, can help you make better decisions. I would also recommend you not to think too much of title and positions. Higher position does not usually means better salary too.

There are many experience I would like to share, not only from me but from my circle too. So be sure to keep an eye on my upcoming newsletters.

One of the biggest sacrifices, is your time and energy.
This, is not refundable.

When an employer hires you, it is not just about the money and expertise. You are selling your time too. So consider wisely who you are spending your time on. When we order food via delivery, we are saving our time, in exchange of someone else’s time that they could spend with their loved ones.

Time, is your most expensive currency.
Spend it wisely.

Conclusion: Always Remember Your Worth

At every stage, remember that accepting or rejecting an offer is part of your career growth. Never feel pressured to settle if it doesn’t feel right. If it’s the right job for you, you’ll feel it—and if it’s not, better opportunities will come your way.

Another important thing is, communication. Any second you delay your replies could jeopardise your position in that offer. If you would like to take a moment to think on the offer, inform them straightaway. Whether you’re accepting or rejecting, inform them too.

We learned in last newsletter how bad it is to be ghosted. That also means we should not be the one to practice ghosting as well.

If you’ve experienced a tough decision when accepting or rejecting an offer, feel free to share your story in the comments on the website version of this newsletter.

Link to Web Version

May Allah s.w.t. guide you toward what is best for you in your career and bless you with success and ease in every step you take.

As always, take care and keep moving forward.