Worksheet
Look Beyond the Headline Salary
Fresno Summit Advisors · 7 min read · By Chenée Robbertze
One of the first things most people look at when they see a new opportunity is the salary. And honestly, that makes sense. Compensation matters. It pays the bills, supports your goals and can make a meaningful difference in your life. But after seeing how different opportunities play out for candidates, I’ve learned that the number at the top of the offer letter is only one part of the decision. A job can offer more money and still leave you feeling like you made the wrong move. Sometimes, an opportunity that looks less impressive on paper can give you something much more valuable in the long run. That’s why I always encourage candidates to look at the whole opportunity, not just the headline salary.
The quick takeaway
Start with your priorities. Compare each opportunity against the same criteria, and clarify unknowns before deciding.
Start with the work
Before getting caught up in the number, think about what you’ll actually be doing every day.
Will the work challenge you? Will you be learning something new? Does it build on the experience you already have, or help you move toward where you want your career to go?
A salary might get you through the door, but the work is what you’ll be spending your time doing.
Then look at the manager
This is one that I think candidates sometimes underestimate.
Who you work for can have a huge impact on your experience.
Think about how the manager communicates.
Do they provide support and feedback? Do they give you room to take ownership? Do they invest in developing their team?
A good manager can help you grow in ways that don’t necessarily show up in your compensation package on day one.
Look at the full compensation package
Salary is important, but it isn’t the entire compensation conversation.
Look at the bonus or commission structure, benefits, retirement contributions, healthcare, leave, equity where applicable and any other incentives that come with the role.
Two jobs with different salaries can look very different once you compare the full package.
Make sure you understand what you’re actually being offered.
What kind of life does this job create?
This is the question I think is worth asking more often.
What are the working hours? How long is the commute? Is the role remote, hybrid or fully onsite? How much travel is involved? What does the workload look like?
And perhaps most importantly:
What does this job leave you with at the end of the day?
More money is valuable.
So is having time with your family. So is flexibility. So coming home with enough energy to enjoy your life outside of work.
A career is part of your life, so it’s worth thinking about the two together.
Think beyond the next paycheque
When you’re considering an opportunity, ask yourself:
“What could this opportunity give me that I don’t have today?”
Maybe it’s a manager who will genuinely develop you. Maybe it’s exposure to an industry you’ve been trying to break into. Maybe it’s the opportunity to build skills that will open doors later.
Think about what you could take from the role that will still be valuable a year or two from now.
Compare the whole opportunity
The highest salary isn’t automatically the most valuable opportunity, just as a lower salary isn’t automatically a bad one.
What matters is what you’re looking for at that point in your career.
Maybe salary is your biggest priority right now. Maybe you’re looking for growth. Maybe you want a better manager or more flexibility. Maybe you’re trying to move into a new industry.
There isn’t one right answer for everyone.
Before making your next career move, look at:
- The work.
- The manager.
- The full compensation package.
- The growth opportunity.
- And the life that comes with the job.
Because you’re not just choosing a salary.
You’re choosing how you’re going to spend a significant part of your life.
Put it into practice.
- I have ranked my top three priorities.
- I understand the responsibilities and expectations.
- I have separated guaranteed and variable compensation.
- I have clarified benefits, location, hours, and travel.
- I have identified and asked about remaining unknowns.