Look Beyond the Headline Salary

Start with the work

Before getting caught up in the salary 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 be enough to get you to apply, 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 and if it aligns with your working style.

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, retirement contributions, healthcare benefits, leave, equity where applicable, and any other incentives that come with the role.

Two jobs with same salary can look very different once you compare the full package.

Make sure you understand what you’re actually being offered and if that aligns with what is important to you.

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 matters, but it isn't everyone's top priority.

Having time with your family and flexibility at work is valuable, too. For some, salary is the biggest priority, while for others, it’s having enough time and energy to enjoy life outside of work.

A career is part of your life, so it’s worth thinking about the two together.

Think beyond the next paycheck

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 career 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 including benefits
• →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 moving forward.

Put it into practice.