How to Evaluate a Job Offer

By RuleForge · Updated June 2026 · 5 min read

Salary is not the most important number. The biggest career mistakes come from optimizing for the biggest base and ignoring everything else. Here is the framework.

The 6 Factors

• Total compensation (30%): Base + bonus + equity + sign-on. Calculate the 4-year total, not year 1.
• Growth trajectory (25%): Will this role increase your market value? Will you manage people/budgets?
• Work-life balance (20%): Expected hours, commute/remote flexibility, PTO, culture.
• Manager quality (15%): Your manager determines 70% of your job satisfaction.
• Company stability (5%): Funding, profitability, layoff history.
• Exit opportunities (5%): Will this on your resume open doors or close them?

How to Use It

Score each factor 1-5 for each offer. Multiply by the weight. Add up. The highest total wins — even if the salary is not the highest.

Red Flags

• They pressure you to decide in under 48 hours
• Equity is "too early to value" (then it is worth \$0 for planning)
• They will not put the bonus structure in writing
• Repeated Glassdoor complaints about the same specific issue

Never accept on the call. Always say: "Thank you — let me review the full package and get back to you by [day]."