Getting a promotion is something that most people are glad to go through with, at least initially.

Promotions more often than not bring better benefits, better perks, more social status, and more options moving forward, not to mention bigger paychecks. While these things are all great, it’s not always best to receive a promotion. It’s wise to weigh the pros and cons before taking on the new responsibilities you’ve been offered.

Before you go ahead and accept that promotion, ask yourself a few things…

1. Will your new promotion set you on your way for a fulfilling career path? While promotions may sound like they’re always great for your career, this isn’t always the case. Taking a promotion for the extra money without considering whether or not it sends you in the direction you want to go won’t always end so well for you.
2. Will your new promotion upset your work-life balance in a way that you aren’t prepared for? Promotions typically imply more responsibilities, and they’ll often require you to take charge over your colleagues’ work as well, leaving you with less time for the other things you value in life. This is fine if you’re an ambitious individual and are ready to leave your mark, but if you don’t consider how your promotion will affect your life it may affect your life in negative ways.
3. Will your promotion make it necessary for you to move? If the promotion requires you to move to a different office, or even rent a new apartment, think hard about how the logistics of your promotion will affect your life.
4. Will your promotion net you acceptable pay? Considering the above points, promotions aren’t always stress-free life events. If your answer to any of the above questions have you thinking twice, then shouldn’t your pay raise counter the negatives that the promotion will bring to your life?
5. Lastly, will your promotion cause you to need to travel often? This might be less common, but sometimes a promotion comes with the need to travel more for work. If you like travelling often, this is awesome, but if you want quality time with friends and family, it might not be the best perk for you.