You've Been Offered a Job! Now What?

On the Choose Work! Blog, we talk a lot about how to write a resume or how to answer interview questions. But what about once you've received a job offer?

Today, we'll take a look at some questions you may want to ask both yourself and your employer when you accept a job offer.

Congratulations

We understand that making the decision to look for work and going through a job search can come with a lot of stress. We congratulate you on taking these steps toward employment!

As you transition to the workplace, remember that your Ticket to Work (Ticket) service provider can continue to offer you supports and services. Many Employment Networks (EN) have Benefits Counselors on staff. These trained professionals can discuss your Social Security disability benefits (SSDI/SSI) and Social Security Work Incentives that you're eligible for as you start earning income.

Questions to ask yourself

As you prepare to work, asking yourself a few questions will help you feel comfortable and confident to join the workforce.

How does this position help me meet my work goal? If you were working with a Ticket program service provider to find work, you developed a work plan that described your work and earnings goals. When accepting a job offer, consider how this new position helps you reach your work goal. Even if it's not the ultimate job that you want, remember that it can still offer you opportunities to learn important skills that will help you develop your career.

Do I understand the responsibilities of the job? If you're not clear on what your day-to-day tasks will be, you can ask for clarification. Understanding the requirements for the job will help you think about whether you'll need to request a reasonable accommodation to help you succeed.

Do the wages or salary help me toward my earnings goals? For people receiving Social Security disability benefits, the Ticket program seeks to promote increased financial self-sufficiency and greater independence through work.  Over time, the goal is to be able to replace your benefit payments with earnings from a job.   If your service provider has a Benefits Counselor on staff, he or she can help you think about how your income will affect your benefits and introduce you to Work Incentives that may help make the transition easier for you. 

Questions to ask your new employer

There are some questions, like ones about salary and benefits, which you shouldn't ask during an initial interview. Once you've received a job offer, though, you can feel comfortable asking them.

What is my total compensation package? Make sure you have an understanding of what your hourly wage or your salary will be as well as any additional compensation, such as medical benefits. If you receive a job offer that includes medical benefits, it's a good idea to ask when those benefits will start.

Who will my supervisor be? You may have discussed this during the interview process, but it's a good idea to know who you'll report to. That person will be able to give you the best overview of your responsibilities and will be the one evaluating your work once you start.

With whom should I discuss reasonable accommodations? If you’ve made the choice to disclose your disability to request an accommodation, knowing where the request should be submitted can help make the process easier. This person may be your supervisor, a different manager or an individual in Human Resources.

When do I start? You don’t want to miss your first day!

Learn More

To learn more about the Ticket program, call the Ticket to Work Help Line at 1-866-968-7842 or 1-866-833-2967 (TTY) Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET. Ask a representative to send you a list of service providers or find providers on your own with the Ticket program Find Help tool.