Should I take the new job offer?
The short answer
Take it if it beats your current role on two of three: total comp, growth trajectory, and manager. One-of-three is usually a lateral trap.
Signals to weigh
- 01Total comp including equity vesting, not just base salary.
- 02Who you'll report to — the single biggest predictor of your next 2 years.
- 03Whether the role stretches you into skills you want to own.
- 04Company trajectory — is the business getting stronger or weaker?
- 05What you give up: tenure, network, in-flight projects, unvested equity.
How to decide
- Step 1Write both roles on one page: comp, manager, growth, risk, hidden costs.
- Step 2Talk to two people who worked for the new manager. This is the highest-leverage 30 minutes.
- Step 3Counter your current employer once — you'll learn what you were really worth.
- Step 4Sleep on it for 72 hours. Excitement fades; regret doesn't.
Framework used
Cost-Benefit Analysis →Full walkthrough of the framework, with examples and pitfalls.
Consider these alternatives
- ·Negotiate start date and signing bonus — most offers have 10-15% left on the table.
- ·Ask for a trial project or shadow week before you sign.
Run this decision inside Compass
Get a personalised answer to your version of this question.
Free · Private · Actionable
Begin