Getting an offer to take on a management position can be exciting. However, it’s best to pump the brakes a little and look at some of the different questions you should ask before accepting such a position. The more homework that you do before agreeing to sign up for a job, the better. Be sure to ask the following questions ahead of time.

What Will Your Work/Life Balance Look Like?

Things have changed quite a bit in recent years regarding workplace expectations. It turns out that 87% of employees expect that the company they work for will help them find a balance between their work and personal obligations. In other words, they feel that it is the responsibility of their employer not to overwork them and to be understanding when they have personal obligations that come up from time to time.

This might not be too far outside the bounds of reason when you contemplate that you are looking at a management position. However, it would be best if you also understood that many employers have high expectations for their managers, which might not include much flexibility regarding the manager’s position. You should try your best to strike a balance for yourself or even consider giving something like this up to pursue the life of an entrepreneur. If that is the route you take, then it will be possible for you to set your schedule so that you can balance your work and the rest of your life.

What Are the Specifics of Your Contract?

Another thing to do before you accept a management position is to look and see if you are considered an “at will” employee. Unless you have a firm contract that says otherwise, you are considered an “at will” employee, and your employer may fire you for any reason as long as it is not illegal (such as a discriminatory one).

It’s best to have a contract that protects you from this kind of thing and helps you have a greater sense of job security within the management position you are attempting to get. You don’t want to take on something like this and then determine that you are an “at will” employee who can be eliminated anytime. It’s rewarding to take on a management role, but it’s not guaranteed that you will have the right set of skills to help you do that job well. If that is the case, you might be terminated simply because you aren’t as talented in a manager’s role as you might have assumed.

Will You Be Valued?

Being valued and recognized by your organization is significant. Not only does it matter because you want some personal level of achievement related to your job, but also because, according to Team Stage, 42% of companies undervalue the need for project management. They don’t necessarily view this as something important to do at all, and that means that they might not value you when you are serving as a manager for them.

It’s critically important to work for a company that recognizes the value you add to the organization when you do management projects. If the company doesn’t want to recognize that fact, why should you work as hard as you do for them? You might be seen as disposable, a danger that you don’t want to put yourself in the path of. Keep that in mind as you look over the upsides and downsides of accepting a management position.

It’s important to have a career that’s fulfilling and enables you to succeed. If you keep all of the above questions in mind, you can make an educated decision regarding whether or not to accept a management position.