First, separate the decision into two parts, the job and the offer.  The first step is best completed throughout the interviewing process.

Step 1.The Job

Start by really asking yourself the question. Do I want the job? If the answer is "Yes", think about:

Long Term:

Does the job help me towards my long-term career goal?

Near Term:

Is the job the logical step for the next 3-5 years in my career?

Timing and bridges:

a) Have I been at my current job for ideally at least 3 years, certainly at least 2?
b) Have I met the objectives originally set for my current job, or is there still more for me there?
c) Is it a reasonable time to leave my employer so as not to burn a bridge? (for
example, not the middle of a critical project or after early January if you’re an
accountant?)
d) Do I envision myself being at the new job for at least 3-5 years?

The Work:

What’s my assessment of the work and how does it fit my skills and interests?  Is the work a logical progression and step up from my current job?

Other Factors:

What’s my assessment of the company, the people, work environment, location, commute, travel requirement and advancement potential?  Is my family on-board or not?

If all the answers are positive, you are just about clear for take off and can proceed to Step 2.   If there are critical no answers, you may have to call Houston because you might have a problem and need to abort.  And if it’s somewhere in the middle, then proceed to the next step but with caution.

Step 2.The Offer

Do I Accept or Pass?

There are no formulas or rules for what constitutes a good offer, it’s all market driven and sometimes subjective.  Unfortunately, it’s a buyers’ market currently so offers are often lower than in the past. Judge the actual offer of compensation and benefits not by itself but only in the context of the total picture, including the 5 questions in Step 1.  View the offer as the variable in the total picture equation.

If everything in Step 1 is exceptional, a less than perfect offer can still make a very attractive total picture.

If the results of Step 1 are poor, you’re still going to be unhappy even with a great offer.

And if you’re somewhere in the middle on Step 1, time to use your bargaining skills to make the offer strong enough to make the total picture attractive, or pass on the offer.

Ultimately, each of us makes our own decisions in our own way.  A job change is a key life decision, one that will be on our record forever.  It can’t hurt to use an organized decision approach.