Job Offer Comparison Guide
Compare offers with a repeatable framework that balances pay, costs, and risk.
Step 1: Normalize Annual Cash Value
For each offer, combine base salary, recurring bonus expectations, employer match value, and stipend support. Subtract recurring commute and location costs.
Use the Offer Comparison Calculator to standardize this quickly.
Step 2: Check Downside Risk
- Probation or performance cliff conditions.
- Bonus payout uncertainty and target realism.
- Commute volatility if office attendance changes.
- Scope creep without salary review commitments.
Step 3: Score Decision Criteria
Assign each criterion a weight and score both offers on the same scale.
- Cash and recurring value
- Role growth and mentorship quality
- Workload sustainability
- Team stability and manager quality
- Flexibility and schedule control
Step 4: Decision Checkpoint
Before accepting, confirm unresolved items in writing: compensation review date, bonus terms, location expectations, and critical role scope boundaries.
If monthly take-home planning is tight, pair the decision with BudgetKit for scenario budgeting.