It's just good policy to review the benefits package before you accept a job offer

Q: A company has given me a job offer, but its policy is not to disclose the benefits until after I've accepted the position. This sounds really bizarre. They assure me that the package is very good and I shouldn't worry about it. Should I accept the job or run the other way?

NICK'S REPLY: You've run smack up against a troubling practice. Some companies will not divulge the details of their benefits package or their employee policy manual until after you have accepted an offer. Why? Here's the explanation they usually give: "Our benefits package is a competitive secret, and our employee manual is confidential."

Let's do a reality check. Would you agree to order and pay for dinner at a new restaurant without having a look at the menu and prices first? Would you let the kitchen decide what you're going to eat, then let the cashier decide what you're going to pay for it?

Please rest assured that your concern is appropriate. You may be tempted to run away, but first call the office of the CEO and very politely explain that you are sitting on a job offer and that you have a simple question no one seems able to answer. What are the benefits that are part of the job offer?

To trust anyone with your health care benefits under such circumstances is an enormous and unreasonable risk. But you're taking an additional risk in not seeing the employee policy manual in advance. This is where things such as non-compete rules, rights to inventions and other funky terms are sometimes hidden. If you balk at these rules after starting the job, your only option is to quit -- without the luxury of being able to fall back on your old job.

Would you eat at a restaurant that won't show you the menu? In some countries, restaurants graciously invite you into the kitchen where you can see how the food is prepared and to check out the bubbling pots. That's the best way to make an informed decision before you sit down at anyone's table.

THE HEADHUNTER TIP:

Scan this.

Writing a keyword resume (one filled with certain buzzwords) to win a job is like doing tricks to get food.

Keyword resumes are designed to be read by machines. This reduces job hunting to a lottery. Worst of all, you're often competing with some con man who claims key words that don't really belong on his resume.

This leaves you with two choices. Find a "keyword resume writer" and pay to play the game. Or pick up the phone and call the manager who needs to fill the job.

The latter option is a lot more work. You must prepare something valuable to say. If you don't believe me, when you reach the manager, just try to impress him by rattling off nothing but a bunch of keywords.

Scan this: To win the job, talk to the manager who needs help and show him what you can do.

Copyright 2009. Distributed by Universal Press Syndicate

Nick Corcodilos is author of "Ask The Headhunter: Reinventing the Interview to Win the Job" and the host of www.asktheheadhunter.com. He can be reached by e-mail at seattle@asktheheadhunter.com or at North Bridge Group, P.O. Box 600, Lebanon, NJ 08833. Sorry, no personal replies.