I graduated from college last June and have been on the job hunt since. I recently received a job offer from a company I was genuinely excited about. After receiving the offer letter, I asked a few questions that I thought were standard, including one about the upward trajectory of the position. To my surprise, they responded by saying I was ‘too ambitious’ for the role and then rescinded the offer later that same day!

I’m feeling confused and unsure about how to approach future job offers. Was asking about growth opportunities a mistake? How can I navigate similar situations moving forward without losing out on opportunities? 

Bella, 22

A. Bella, I’m sorry to hear that your offer was quickly rescinded after your inquiry. 😞 That’s not a typical response from most businesses. However, if your question about upward mobility fueled their decision, I can assure you that the company was not a good fit for you if you aspire to advance. It’s also possible there was another reason – they found another candidate, their budgets were hastily slashed, or something else entirely.

Asking about upward mobility is appropriate and wise, but it is best to do so during the interview process. I admire your goal to advance, but numerous other considerations exist to determine whether a company is a good fit for you at 22. Only you know what is most important to you now, but I’d encourage you to focus on what you can learn and what kind of culture you’ll be part of. 🌱

Here are some additional areas to explore in your next interview and some sample questions:

👉 Growth. Explore what you will learn and what new skills will you develop.

• • Will the role allow me to take on increasing responsibility as I prove myself?
  • What is the typical career progression, and how have previous employees in similar positions advanced?
  • What training opportunities are available for the role?

👉 Mentorship. Ask about how the company approaches mentoring.

• • Is there a formal mentoring program where senior leaders help junior staff develop?
  • Tell me about the informal mentoring approach. How do experienced colleagues coach and guide new employees to be successful?

👉 Exposure. Understand if the role will be exposed to different aspects of the business.

• • What functions will the role be exposed to?
  • Will the role have the opportunity to support cross-functional projects?

👉 Stability. Research if the company is financially stable.

• • What are the company’s top strategic priorities?
  • Has the company met its financial targets in the last 3 years?
  • What is the company’s most important investment for future success?

👉 Compensation. Understand what is fair for your market and role.

• • What is the company’s overall compensation philosophy?
  • What is the approved range for this role? (if it hasn’t been published)
  • What benefits does the company offer that it is most proud of?

👉 Alignment. Examine if the culture aligns with your values and goals.

• •  How does the company describe its culture?
  • What are the core values that drive company decision-making?
  • What does success look like in this role?
  • What are the company’s expectations for working hours?

Some new grads pursue the highest salary immediately because they need economic security and the ability to repay student loans. Securing a good, fair salary is important because it becomes the starting baseline for your career. However, exposure to a range of experts, perspectives, functions, and projects will help you learn (early) what interests you and what path you want to explore in the future.

Last, working in a culture that prioritizes collaboration and flexibility will help you develop healthy habits to fuel your success and fulfillment over time. ✨

The quality of your questions and how you engage during the interview will help lead you to a good offer and a strong fit. 💪Then, when the offer arrives, most of your essential questions will have been answered, and you can focus on being thrilled by the opportunity and getting started. [If the offer is below fair market value, you can negotiate, but that’s another newsletter!)

You’re equipt to nail that next offer.