You’ve spent months and months searching for a job. Your last interview was with a company that has just lain off employees. They just called and offered you the job. With no other job possibilities in sight, should you consider accepting the offer? Here are some factors that to consider before making a decision:

Consider taking the job if you’re just out of college and the company contains key players in your field. Times have changed from previous generations that were expected to take a job and stay until retirement. Employers pretty much expect for workers to be transient whether it’s six months or two years. Use the opportunity to learn from the top talent in your field. This will help you gain valuable work experience by working with best. Even if the company downsizes again in the future, they won’t be able to take away the skills that you’ve learned.

Consider taking the job if the company is high profile with an excellent reputation. There is nothing that can take the place of having an “A” list company on your resume. If the company is known for its unparalleled training and exposure, consider accepting the job. Working for the company will definitely add points on your resume should you need to interview elsewhere in the future.

Consider taking the job if the company is restructuring. Many times when a company downsizes it may include a new strategy for improving its position. The individuals that they hire as a result of this restructure are an indication that this position may last while the company rebuilds its foundation based on the new strategy.

Consider taking the job if you’ve been laid off from a position that you’ve had for awhile. You may need to learn new skills in order to make yourself more marketable. This may be the perfect opportunity to learn skills and gain experience in this new career.

There are also times when you may want to decline the position. You can usually detect this during the interview process. Check out the atmosphere as you head to the interview room. For example, if you’re walking past rows of empty, neglected desks, the company could be trying to find someone to help them close up the business rather than grow.

Listen to the interviewer’s verbal and non-verbal clues. Does the interviewer appear genuinely happy to be at work or do they look depressed? Do they speak glowingly about the company or does it sound as if it may be the biggest mistake they’ve ever made? If the interviewer is sending off negative vibes, it may be time to back out. The same goes if the interviewer seems unnaturally cheerful. It’s possible that they are masking their true motives.

The interviewer should be able to paint a strategic picture of the company and where the position falls within that profile. If they are unable to discuss the company’s comeback from layoffs and whether the position is included in the plans going forward, consider any offer carefully.

It’s tempting to say “no” as an immediate response to receiving an offer from a company that recently engaged in massive or even small layoffs. There are many factors that should be considered. Consider your financial stability. It’s easy to explain a blip on your resume caused by a layoff if you choose to accept the position because you need income. If your personal finances can not take another week of no income, give the position careful consideration. Some income is better than no income especially if you are receiving unemployment benefits that are about to expire. Taking the position can definitely have pros and cons. It’s important to remember that nothing is ever guaranteed so make the decision wisely.