Job Offer Review Checklist: 30 Questions to Ask HR
You got the job offer. Now what? Don't just say "yes" immediately. Ask HR clarifying questions about things that aren't obvious. This checklist of 30 questions covers the gaps and helps you understand exactly what you're agreeing to.
Questions About Salary & Bonus
1. "Is this salary negotiable?" (Always ask.) 2. "When is the sign-on bonus paid?" (Day 1 or after 90 days?) 3. "Is the sign-on bonus subject to clawback if I leave within [period]?" (Get clawback terms in writing.) 4. "What's the annual bonus formula?" (% of salary? Performance-based?) 5. "What's the typical bonus payout?" (Do people actually get it or is it rare?) 6. "When is the first bonus opportunity?" (Could be year-end or next year.) 7. "For equity grants: what's the strike price?" (Affects tax liability.) 8. "What's the company's current valuation?" (Helps you understand equity value.) 9. "Has the company been profitable?" (Affects exit probability.) 10. "What's the expected funding timeline?" (For startups: are they raising again soon?)
Questions About Equity (Startups)
11. "What's the vesting schedule?" (4-year with 1-year cliff is standard.) 12. "What happens to my unvested equity if I'm fired without cause?" (Ideally: acceleration or extended exercise window.) 13. "What happens if the company is acquired?" (Single-trigger acceleration is good for you.) 14. "Can I accelerate my vesting if the company is sold?" (This is important.) 15. "What's the exercise period for options?" (How long after leaving can I buy options?) 16. "Are there any other equity holders or significant shareholders?" (Affects dilution/exit strategy.) 17. "How many shares outstanding?" (Affects dilution.) 18. "Is this company profitable or venture-backed?" (Affects exit probability.)
Questions About Benefits
19. "When does health insurance start?" (Day 1 or after 90-day probation?) 20. "What's the deductible and out-of-pocket max?" (Matters for cost.) 21. "Does the company match 401k?" (What % and how much?) 22. "How much PTO do I get?" (And separate sick days?) 23. "Is PTO use-it-or-lose-it or can I roll over?" (Rollover is better.) 24. "If I'm fired, do I get paid for unused PTO?" (Varies by state.) 25. "Is remote work available?" (Always, sometimes, never?) 26. "What's the parental leave policy?" (Paid? How long?)
Questions About Contract Terms
27. "Is there a non-compete clause?" (If yes, what's the scope, duration, geography?) 28. "Is there a clawback clause on the sign-on bonus?" (If yes, what's the duration?) 29. "What's the severance policy?" (Do I get severance if fired without cause?) 30. "Can you send me the full employment contract to review?" (Get it in writing, don't just rely on offer letter.) BONUS: "Is this offer contingent on anything?" (Background check, reference check, drug test?) "When does the offer expire?" (Do I have time to review?)
Frequently Asked Questions
What if HR gets annoyed that I'm asking so many questions?
Good HR expects this. If they get annoyed at basic questions, that's a red flag about company culture. Professional HR welcomes questions and provides clear answers.
Should I ask about salary expectations before the offer?
Yes. During interviews, ask "what's the salary range for this role?" This saves time. If they say "$100-120k," you know the ballpark before offer arrives.
Can I ask to negotiate the offer after I ask these questions?
Absolutely. Ask clarifying questions first, then say "Based on your answers, can we discuss [salary/equity/clawback]?" Timing: ask questions first, then negotiate.
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