Before You Take That Job: Know Your Negotiables, Perks, and Deal-Breakers

Before you take that job, you need clarity, not just excitement.

In this episode of Dear Young Person, we talk about why accepting a job offer without asking the right questions can cost you your peace, growth, and long-term direction.

So many young people are grateful just to be chosen—but gratitude shouldn’t replace discernment. A job is more than a salary; it’s where you’ll spend most of your time, energy, and mental bandwidth.

In this conversation, we unpack the career questions you should always ask before saying yes, including:

• How this role contributes to the organisation’s mission
• How performance and KPIs are measured
• Whether professional development and growth are actually supported
• Policies around sick days, vacation, and flexibility
• How managers support, motivate, and respond to failure
• How this role interacts with customers, users, and other teams

We also talk about one of the most overlooked questions of all:

• What will I be expected to accomplish in the first 90 days?

This episode is for the young person who:

• Keeps saying yes out of fear or pressure
• Has accepted roles that didn’t align with their values
• Wants to grow without burning out
• Is learning that boundaries apply to careers, too

Because it’s okay not to know exactly what you want yet—but you should always know what you don’t want.

Before you take that job, pause. Ask questions. Choose wisely.