How To Evaluate A Job Offer

Let’s assume your employment interview went well, and there’s sincere and mutual interest on both sides. You now need to decide two things: first, whether the new position is right for you; and if so, what sort of offer you’d be willing to accept. To help in the decision-making process, take the following test as a way to compare the two positions.

Position Comparison Guide

Directions: Compare the new job with what you already have.

Old job	New job	Element under consideration
		Position title
		Supervisory responsibility
		Project authority
		Decision-making autonomy
		Freedom to implement ideas
		Ability to affect change
		Promotion potential
		Challenge of tasks
		Ability to meet expectations
		Access to professional development
		Professional growth potential
		Company/industry growth
		Company/industry stability
		Starting salary, benefits, perks
		Future compensation
		Commuting distance
		Travel requirements
		Work environment
		Rapport with co-workers
		Rapport with management
		Comfort with corporate culture
		Other considerations (specify)
		Total score: New job vs. old job

Compensation will be a key factor in your decision whether to accept a new position. However, few people take the time to really understand their economic choices, mostly because there are so many hidden factors, such as cost of living, benefits, and so forth. To help you put your choices into perspective, use the following guide to evaluate your prospective compensation package with what you’re currently earning.

Position Compensation Guide
Directions: Compare the economics of the old and new job.

Current Job	New Job	Element to Consider
$	$	Base salary
$	$	Bonus, commissions
$	$	Additional perks
$	$	Profit sharing potential
$	$	Value of stock or equity
$	$	Pension
$	$	401(k) contribution
$	$	Reimbursed expenses
$	$	Cost of living differences
$	$	Moving expenses
$	$	Travel expenses
$	$	Insurance premiums
$	$	Property taxes
$	$	State, local taxes
$	$	Sales taxes
$	$	Other expenses (specify)
$	$	$ Difference (+/-)

Regardless of where compensation ranks on your list of priorities, it’s a good idea to know what you may be getting into when faced with a career decision.