08 · Offers, money, and status · Chapter 29 of 35
Evaluate the whole offer
The best offer is not automatically the one with the largest salary number. Score compensation, benefits, work design, growth, and stability.
10 min read
An offer is a bundle. If you only compare base pay, a company can buy your yes with a number that evaporates in premiums, commute, and burnout. Use the Offer Matrix in the Workbook. Score each factor 1–5 for importance to you, then score each offer against it.
| Factor | What to put in writing | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Compensation | Base, bonus/commission target and history, overtime rules, equity only if it is real and explained | Is the bonus discretionary? What percent of target paid last year? |
| Benefits | Health plan premiums, deductible, 401(k) match and vesting, PTO, sick, parental leave, education | When do benefits start? What does employee-only vs. family cost per month? |
| Work design | Schedule, on-site days, travel, on-call, average hours, manager style | What did last month look like for the person in this seat? |
| Growth | Learning, promotion path, scope, whether anyone has actually been promoted | Who last left this role, and for what? |
| Stability | Funding, contract vs. FTE, recent layoffs, team tenure | Is this backfill or new? How is the team paid for? |
Offer A vs Offer B (worked)
A: $62,000, $280/month health, no match for a year, 40-minute commute, rotating Saturdays, well-known brand. B: $58,000, $90/month health, 4% match from day 90, 15-minute commute, weekday days, smaller firm with a manager you trust. Year-one cash after premiums and commute (rough): A looks richer on the offer letter and may be poorer in the bank. Status from A is real—put a number on how much that status is worth to your next search. Then decide with your eyes open.
Do this now
- Do not accept or decline in the same conversation unless you already ran the matrix. Ask for the offer in writing and a decision date.
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