Questions to ask before accepting a job offer

1. Will they claim ownership if you release a side project or any product?

2. Are you allowed to contribute to open source?

3. Is there a clear progression path?

4. Will you have a mentor?

Side project/product ownership

Many people are unaware that companies can claim ownership of their side projects/products even if they are created outside working hours and on personal equipment. Simply put, a company can claim ownership of everything you develop while being employed for that company.

As a result, before accepting a job offer, ensure that the company does not plan on claiming the projects/products you develop in your free time and on your equipment.

Open-source contribution

If the opportunity of contributing to an open-source project arises, can you do it? This is another point you want to clarify with your prospective employers.

As long as the projects are not competitors and they do not clash with the company in any way, they should allow you to contribute to them. And, of course, as long as you do it in your free time and on your personal equipment.

Progression path

Another important question to ask is about the progression path available. It is essential to know if you can progress in the company and how you can do so. Moreover, you should know what support is available for you.

The years of experience are not the most important factor. You can do a job for a long time without improving. "You can have 5 years of experience, or you can have the same experience repeated 5 times". That's why it's essential to try to improve proactively.

A clear progress path is important because it helps you progress in your career. Therefore, always ask prospective employers about the progression path available.

Mentorship

Having a mentor is highly beneficial, especially if you are at the beginning of your career. Mentorship provides an opportunity to learn from developers with more experience while also benefiting the company by facilitating knowledge transfer between developers.

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