Gather the complete terms
Collect written details for pay, benefits, working location, hours, leave, probation, notice and any on-call responsibilities. Ask about anything missing before scoring the offer.
Compare employee and contractor arrangements carefully. Different tax, benefits and leave implications can make similar headline amounts very different in practice. Get professional advice where your circumstances require it.
Choose weights before choosing a winner
Allocate 100 points across your criteria, then score each offer from one to five. Multiply each score by its weight. This is a personal decision aid, not an objective employer ranking.
Assign weights before entering scores so you do not quietly adjust the system to favour the offer that already excites you. Keep non-negotiables outside the score: a high total does not compensate for a deal-breaker.
- Compensation and benefits: an illustrative weight of 25.
- Manager and team support: 25.
- Learning and meaningful work: 20.
- Working arrangement and flexibility: 20.
- Stability and clarity of terms: 10.
Separate evidence from optimism
For every score, note the reason. “Manager gave a specific onboarding plan” is evidence. “The brand is exciting” is a preference. Both can matter, but they should not be confused.
Mark unknowns as unknown rather than assigning a convenient middle score. A missing answer about required office days could materially change the decision. Ask the same questions of both employers when possible.
Test the trade-offs
Imagine an ordinary difficult Tuesday in each role, not just the first week. Which environment gives you the support and working conditions you need? Then consider what you would regret declining.
If the numbers are close, change one weight slightly and see whether the result flips. A fragile result means the worksheet is not making the decision for you. Return to your non-negotiables and the largest uncertainty.
Communicate a considered decision
Ask for a reasonable decision deadline and explain what information you still need. Avoid resigning before you have reviewed the final offer and any conditions that affect your start.
Once you decide, accept or decline clearly and respectfully. Keep your decision note as a reminder of why the role fit your priorities. This guide is a decision framework, not legal advice on contracts or resignation.
Your next steps
- Collect written terms for both roles.
- Assign weights before scoring.
- Flag unknowns and deal-breakers.
- Review conditions before resigning.
References and further reading
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