You’ve reached the final stage of your job search, and you have an offer on the table. Should you accept it?
Sometimes the answer is an easy yes. But often it’s more complicated. A job offer is more than a salary figure—it’s a commitment that will affect your career, your lifestyle and family, and your well-being. Taking time to consider the pros and cons will help you make a confident, informed decision.
Here’s how to evaluate a job offer from every angle.
Where you are and where you want to be
Start by taking stock of where you are right now. Your current situation will affect how you weigh the opportunity. For example:
- If you’re unemployed, financial stability may be the top priority.
- If you’re stuck in an unfulfilling job, you might value growth or culture more than compensation.
- If you’re recovering from burnout, flexibility and work-life balance could matter more than your job title or pay.
It’s natural to feel tempted to accept any offer, especially if “push factors” make you want a change. But before you say yes, ask yourself: Will this new job solve the problems that made me start searching in the first place?
The compensation package
Pay and benefits are a major consideration for most people. Here are some things to keep in mind as you assess the compensation package:
- Base salary. Employers expect you to negotiate and may start with a lower number than they expect to land on. But if the initial offer feels unreasonably low, that may be a sign that you don’t want to work here.
- Potential for increases. A modest starting salary could still be worthwhile if there are clear prospects for raises.
- Benefits. Paid time off, health and disability benefits, a retirement plan, family leave, wellness programs, and educational opportunities are important elements of your total compensation.
- Performance bonuses, stock options, or profit-sharing plans can add significant value if the company performs well.
- Fringe benefits. Some workplaces offer other perks, like on-site meals, on-site day care, gym memberships, or discounts.
The same package may be of more value to some people than others. If you’re not going to use a paid gym membership or parental leave, don’t factor them into your calculation.
The role itself
By the time you’ve received an offer, you’ve thought about whether the job as advertised will be a good fit. But now that you’ve gone through the interview process, you have more context.
Has the employer given you an offer in writing? If you ask and they refuse, ask yourself why they wouldn’t value a clear agreement as much as you do. That’s a big red flag.
Do you have the skills and knowledge to do the job well? Some people are comfortable with a “fake it ‘til you make it” attitude. If that’s not you, don’t pretend otherwise.
Consider the job title; it’s not trivial. If you thought it was going to be “communications assistant,” but instead it’s “media assistant,” what will that do for your resumé?
Growth and advancement
Think about how the job fits into your career plan. Consider it a stepping stone, one point on your career path. Will it move you toward your long-term goals—or might it hold you back?
Look for signs that the employer invests in its people: professional development options, incentives for outside education, internal promotions and mentorships. Will this job expand your skills, grow your network, and open doors to the future you want?
Culture and fit
Work environment plays a huge role in job satisfaction. Consider how the organization fits your priorities and preferred working conditions in terms of:
- Organizational stability. Are they growing, downsizing, or holding steady? A startup may be exciting and innovative, but an established company might offer more security.
- Work setting. If some or all the work is on-site, will you be working in a cubicle, an open setting, or a private office? Is there a dress code and are you comfortable with it?
- Culture and values. Meeting the people you’ll be working with can be a good indicator of fit. Can you be yourself around them? Do they seem friendly and motivated, or disengaged?
- Team dynamics. What are the norms around socializing and team building? Many companies are still figuring out how to manage culture in remote settings, so keep that in mind if work is an important part of your social life.
Lifestyle and family impact
A job can look great on paper and still be wrong for your life.
Workload and expectations
High-paying jobs can come with gruelling demands. Are 50-hour weeks the norm? Will you be expected to work on-call shifts or answer emails 24-7? Will the salary be worth the cost to your work-life balance?
Does the job description include terms like “other duties as required” without listing them? You have a right to ask about “other” duties. You don’t want to sign up for a list so long that it nudges up your weekly hours to much more than you agreed to.
Work arrangements
Whether a job is remote, in-person, or hybrid will have a huge effect on your lifestyle. Having the option to work remotely some or all the time offers flexibility, time savings, and potential cost reductions.
However, remote work can limit opportunities for networking and visibility. A recent study shows that remote workers get worse performance reviews and are less likely to receive bonuses or promotions.
If you need or want to work on-site, consider distance, cost, and travel time. Don’t underestimate fuel and vehicle maintenance expenses. A “better job” that adds an hour of driving each way might not be better at all.
Relocating for work
The pandemic showed that many jobs can be done remotely. Since then, the rate of people relocating for work has fallen dramatically.
If a job requires you to move away from family or friends—or bring your family with you—it can have significant emotional and practical costs.
Other factors include:
- Cost of living. A higher salary might not go as far in a more expensive city. Research housing costs, transportation, and other living expenses in the new location.
- Relocation support. These days, relocation benefits are typically offered only for specialized roles or in industries that require in-person service delivery. If a relocation package is offered, find out exactly what it covers.
- Worst-case scenario. What if the job doesn’t work out?
Think it through, then trust your gut
If a decision is hard, it’s often because you’re not comparing apples with apples. Weighing dollar amounts is straightforward. Weighing a high salary against stimulating work or flexible hours is more difficult.
Go through the written offer in detail. Look for unusual policies or clauses. Some people create a spreadsheet to get a visual idea of pros and cons. If you’re more comfortable with verbal comparisons, use the worksheet below to help you consider all the factors.
If everything checks out on paper but your instincts say no, listen. Research shows that intuition is a finely tuned cognitive skill that analyzes memories and observations without our conscious awareness to provide us with that “gut feeling” we’ve all had. If the offer isn’t perfect, but you feel excited and confident, that may be just as telling.
And if you’re on the fence? Don’t be afraid to negotiate for something better.
Evaluating a job offer
The following questions can help you evaluate a job offer. Record your responses in the interactive worksheet if you find it helpful to put your thoughts in writing.