Quantum Leaps · Practical guidance
Four Questions Before Accepting a Role
Clarify ownership, expectations and support before making your next move.
1. What does success look like?
Ask what the team needs in the first three months and what can realistically wait. Look for agreement between the hiring manager and other interviewers. A title can hide very different expectations.
2. What will I own?
Clarify the reporting line, decision rights, team resources and budget. Ask which decisions you can make independently and where approvals are needed. Discuss the boundaries between your role and neighbouring functions.
3. Why is the role open?
A new role, a replacement and a team reorganisation each bring different questions. Ask what has changed and what the organisation has learned. You do not need another employee’s private details to understand the operating context.
4. What support will be available?
Discuss manager access, onboarding, feedback and access to tools or people. Confirm location and working arrangements in the written offer rather than relying on a general careers statement.
Use the answers to decide which tradeoffs suit your goals. Ask for clarification where a written offer differs from the conversations.