/offer-comparison-analyzer

name: offer-comparison-analyzer
description: Compare multiple job offers side-by-side with total compensation analysis. Use when the user has multiple offers and wants to compare salary, equity, benefits, or total comp.

Offer Comparison Analyzer

When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when the user:

• Has multiple job offers to compare
• Needs to evaluate total compensation
• Wants to make a data-driven job decision
• Is weighing different opportunities
• Mentions: "compare offers", "multiple offers", "which job", "offer comparison", "deciding between jobs"

Core Capabilities

• Compare total compensation across offers
• Evaluate non-monetary factors
• Create weighted decision frameworks
• Calculate true offer value
• Identify hidden costs and benefits
• Guide the decision-making process

The Comparison Challenge

**The Problem:** Comparing offers is hard because:

• Different compensation structures
• Non-monetary factors matter
• Hidden benefits and costs
• Emotional factors cloud judgment
• Information asymmetry

**The Solution:** Systematic comparison framework that considers:

• Total compensation (not just salary)
• Career growth potential
• Work-life factors
• Risk assessment
• Personal values alignment

Total Compensation Calculator

Components to Include

**Cash Compensation:**

• Base salary
• Signing bonus (one-time)
• Annual bonus (target %)
• Commission (for sales roles)
• Relocation assistance

**Equity Compensation:**

• Stock options (value = current price - strike price)
• RSUs (value = current price × shares)
• Vesting schedule
• Refresh grant expectations

**Benefits Value:**

• Health insurance (employer contribution)
• 401(k) match
• HSA/FSA contributions
• Life/disability insurance
• Other insurance benefits

**Perks Value:**

• Vacation days (can assign $ value)
• Remote work (saves commute costs)
• Professional development budget
• Equipment/office stipend
• Meals, gym, etc.

Calculation Template

OFFER A - TOTAL COMPENSATION

CASH
Base Salary:                    $150,000
Signing Bonus (year 1 only):     $25,000
Target Bonus (15%):              $22,500
--------------------------------
Cash Compensation:              $197,500 (year 1)
                               $172,500 (ongoing)

EQUITY
RSU Grant: $200,000 over 4 years
Annual Value:                    $50,000
--------------------------------
Equity Compensation:             $50,000/year

BENEFITS
401(k) Match (4%):               $6,000
Health Insurance:                $15,000 (employer portion)
HSA Contribution:                 $1,000
--------------------------------
Benefits Value:                  $22,000/year

PERKS
Vacation: 20 days (vs 10 standard)
  Extra 10 days × ~$575/day:      $5,750 value
Remote Work Savings:              $3,000 (commute, lunch)
Professional Dev:                 $2,000 budget
--------------------------------
Perks Value:                     $10,750/year

TOTAL YEAR 1:        $280,250
TOTAL ONGOING:       $255,250/year

Side-by-Side Comparison Template

# OFFER COMPARISON

|                          | Company A | Company B | Notes |
|--------------------------|-----------|-----------|-------|
| **CASH**                 |           |           |       |
| Base Salary              | $150,000  | $160,000  | B +$10K |
| Signing Bonus            | $25,000   | $10,000   | A +$15K |
| Target Bonus             | 15%       | 10%       | A +$6.5K |
| **Cash Total (Yr 1)**    | $197,500  | $186,000  | A +$11.5K |
|                          |           |           |       |
| **EQUITY**               |           |           |       |
| Grant Value (4yr)        | $200,000  | $300,000  | B +$100K |
| Annual Equity            | $50,000   | $75,000   | B +$25K |
|                          |           |           |       |
| **BENEFITS**             |           |           |       |
| 401(k) Match             | 4%        | 6%        | B +$3.2K |
| Health Insurance         | Good      | Premium   | B better |
| PTO                      | 20 days   | Unlimited | Varies |
|                          |           |           |       |
| **TOTAL COMP (Yr 1)**    | $280,250  | $285,000  | B +$4.7K |
| **TOTAL COMP (Ongoing)** | $255,250  | $275,000  | B +$19.7K |

Non-Monetary Factor Framework

Career Growth (Weight: High)

**Questions to Consider:**

• Which role offers more learning?
• Which company/brand helps future job search?
• Which has better promotion track?
• Which offers more scope/responsibility?
• Which manager will develop you more?

**Scoring:**

Company A: Growth Score
- Learning opportunity: 8/10
- Brand/resume value: 7/10
- Promotion potential: 6/10
- Scope: 8/10
Average: 7.25/10

Company B: Growth Score
- Learning opportunity: 7/10
- Brand/resume value: 9/10
- Promotion potential: 8/10
- Scope: 7/10
Average: 7.75/10

Work-Life Balance (Weight: Personal)

**Factors:**

• Expected hours
• Remote/hybrid flexibility
• Vacation usage culture
• On-call requirements
• Travel requirements
• Commute time

Team & Culture (Weight: High)

**Factors:**

• Manager quality (crucial!)
• Team health/dynamics
• Company culture fit
• DEI considerations
• Company stability/growth
• Values alignment

Risk Assessment (Weight: Medium)

**Startup vs. Established:**

• Funding runway
• Market position
• Company trajectory
• Equity risk (could be worth $0)

**Questions:**

• What happens if company struggles?
• How stable is this role?
• What's the severance policy?

Weighted Decision Matrix

Step 1: Define Your Priorities

Factor                  Weight
------------------------------------
Total Compensation       25%
Career Growth            25%
Work-Life Balance        20%
Team & Culture           20%
Location/Commute         10%
------------------------------------
Total:                   100%

Step 2: Score Each Factor

                    Company A   Company B
Factor              Score (1-10)
--------------------