Given what we now know, why would anyone -- especially someone who has possibly even been unemployed for a while -- turn down a good job offer? The answers aren't always obvious, but they make good sense under further consideration because sometimes there are very valid reasons for declining what would appear to be a decent employment offer

This possibility often accompanies job offers with start-up organizations. In an effort to attract highly qualified employees, the owners and hiring managers of emerging companies typically paint a very rosy picture of rapid advancement and corresponding earning potential.

"The sky's the limit for anyone willing to start on the ground floor" is their recruitment mantra. Certainly this promise sounds good, but how much of it can a new hire bank on?

If the company's neither well-financed nor competently managed, the growth projections the owners envision may turn out to be illusory at best. Unless you're absolutely desperate for a job, it's prudent to bypass an offer with a company resting on a shaky financial foundation.

Do your homework before you accept.

The terms of the offer are vague.

This unfavorable situation often may be linked to some sales jobs. In an attempt to recruit exceptionally qualified employees, it's not uncommon for sales managers with questionable ethics to exaggerate the benefits of working for their company.

Potential recruits hear things like, "We pay better than all of our competitors, and there's no limit to what you can earn in your first year." Fine and good, but what does that mean in practical terms? How are incentives structured and how often are they paid? If a commission "draw" is involved as part of the compensation package, is it recoverable or not?

Any job offer couched in vague or misleading language should be viewed with justifiable concern. The employer may not be intentionally deceiving, but if the company isn't willing to be specific concerning compensation and benefits -- and put it in writing -- then it's probably not wise to work for them. Verbal assurances, even when accompanied by a handshake, don't mean a great deal when questions concerning compensation arise later on.

Why open the door for future compensation disputes? When you face this kind of situation, thank the interviewer for his or her time, leave gracefully and set your sights in other directions.

You learn something unfavorable about the company.

Understandably, interviewers paint the rosiest picture about the company that they represent and the position under discussion. In giving the "party line" about the organization, they avoid mentioning any negatives that would discourage prime candidates from pursuing employment opportunities.

Before accepting any offer, it pays to research the company. The best time to do this, of course, is prior to interviewing. But if you haven't done your homework before interviewing, keep your eyes and ears open to pick up clues about the company during the site visit. Perhaps something will be disclosed that raises questions about the advisability of working there.

For instance, when speaking candidly with other employees, they may let something slip that suggests that the job isn't quite what it's touted to be. Similarly, if there's widespread employee dissatisfaction throughout the organization, this will be communicated in subtle ways.

The same holds true if others outside the company mention unfavorable information about working there. Friends or college alumni may know people who worked at the company and had strong misgivings about it. Take their remarks with a grain of salt, but do listen. Then do some more research to help you decide. Above all, trust your best judgment, and don't be bashful about declining an offer that doesn't give you a "warm and fuzzy" feeling.

You're better off where you are.

The grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence. Unfortunately, some folks don't look before they leap -- and then regret making a move that isn't in their best long-term interests.

When you're weighing a job offer, think about the trade-offs that might be involved in working for a new company:

• Giving up years of seniority for status as a new employee.
• Having a fancy job title without significant authority and responsibility.
• Earning a higher salary but enjoying fewer fringe benefits.
• Working for a "tougher" boss than the current one.

You know best.

As a final word of advice, always trust your instincts. No matter how good an offer looks on paper, or how impressed you were during an interview, let your spirit guide you. If you have a "drawback" spirit, it's likely that your subconscious is tuning into something negative that you shouldn't ignore.