Congratulations on meeting the challenge of the personal interview. The next step is to wait for a phone call, right?

Wrong! You have to decide whether or not to accept the position if it is offered to you, and identify what you can learn even if it is not. There is new work to be done.

1. Evaluate your performance in the interview.

This is likely not the last interview in your career. Reflect on what you learned and how to be even better. What questions were unexpected? How could you have prepared better?

2. Evaluate the personal chemistry.

Did you relate well to your potential manager? Was there a good personal fit? Is her style compatible with yours?

3. Evaluate the culture.

Were they courteous to you? Were the people relaxed and happy? Is the atmosphere formal or informal?

4. Evaluate the work.

What is the work? What can you learn at this job? Would you like to do this work?

5. List the positives.

Did you like the people you met? Would you enjoy working with this group of people?

6. List the negatives.

What is the downside of this job, and this company?

7. Fit the basics into either positives or negatives.

How long is the commute? Is the salary reasonable? Is the health insurance good? What is your cost for benefits? What is the vacation policy? What is the sick leave policy? What are the hours? Is flextime an option? Is there a continuing education benefit? How often are salaries reviewed and adjusted? Are there any required confidentiality or non-compete documents?

8. Develop a list of follow up questions.

Based on your analysis above, what information do you still need to make an informed decision?

9. Develop a negotiation list.

Many women are so happy to receive an offer that they never think to negotiate what is offered. This is a candidate's strength point in the process. Focus on the fairness and appropriateness of your requests, do not make demands, and negotiate courteously.

Do you need time off for something already planned? Do you need to give extended notice to your former employer? Do you need to leave early on certain days? Is the salary too low? (See the WIB series So You Want a Raise? for guidance.)

Most reasonable requests can be met or negotiated, to both parties' satisfaction, but only if they are known to each other.

10. Get the offer in writing.

Not all companies put an offer in writing. I advise every woman to ask for an offer in writing, and if the company will not do it, then write your own!

Draft a memorandum of understanding from you to the person extending the offer. Include a general description of the duties of the position; title of the position; annual or hourly salary; name and title of to whom the position reports; work hours (e.g. 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.); start date; benefits; and any special circumstances or conditions. Ask for confirmation that your written understanding is correct.

Accepting a job is not a social arrangement, it is business. You start a new job the right way if everyone agrees about what is expected and what is promised.

11. Reflect

Ask for at least 24 hours to make a decision once the offer is finalized. Talk to your family. Sleep on it. Take a cold look at the lists you have developed above. If you have forgotten something, ask.

Do not agonize - analyze. Nothing will guide you better than your own common sense.

12. Accept or Reject

Meet whatever deadline for decision making that you and the company have agreed upon. If you accept the job, do so with enthusiasm. If you reject the job, do so with courtesy. Send a personal, hand-written note of appreciation either way.

If you are not offered the job, let it go and move on. Good candidates are not offered jobs for reasons that have nothing to do with the candidates. Regardless of the outcome, you will benefit from the work you did. Go after another job.

Men and women seek new jobs for many reasons; among them are advancement, money, satisfaction, and a fresh start. Seeking a new job exposes you to risks: to your ego, to your competence, and to your confidence. It tempers you with humility. It forces you to evaluate and analyze your career, your goals and perhaps even your life.

Do not be passive or timid or fearful. Securing a new job is another process to be learned and mastered. Bring the same skills to the task as you do to your daily work in new media: organize, prepare, execute, and learn.

Copyright © 1998, 1999 by D.E. Summerville. All rights reserved.

The advice and suggestions in the Women in Business column are solely those of the author. DC Web Women assumes no responsibility for its content.

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