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decision

Should I accept this job offer?

A new offer almost always looks good on the headline number. Whether it's actually a good move comes down to seven checks — most of which the CTC figure hides. Work through them before you sign.

Last reviewed · verified against incometax.gov.in

  1. 01

    Start with in-hand, not CTC

    The headline CTC is the cost to the company, not your salary. Convert it to real monthly take-home before judging the offer — the gap is often 15–30%. A "higher CTC" offer can pay less in-hand than your current job.

    Calculate in-hand →
  2. 02

    Check the variable pay payout history

    If 10–20% of the CTC is variable or performance pay, ask what percentage actually paid out in the last two cycles. A fixed offer is almost always better than a higher CTC where a big slice is conditional.

  3. 03

    Value the ESOPs separately

    Equity is not guaranteed cash. Look at the implied valuation, vesting schedule, cliff, and liquidation-preference stack before counting it. Model the exercise-and-sale tax so a paper grant does not become a surprise tax bill.

    Model ESOP tax →
  4. 04

    Is the hike worth the move?

    A job switch should clear a meaningful jump — typically 20%+ on in-hand — to offset the reset on tenure, notice period, and ramp-up. A 10% bump rarely justifies the disruption unless the role or trajectory is materially better.

  5. 05

    Run both tax regimes

    Your take-home depends on whether the old or new regime suits your deductions and rent. The same CTC can yield different in-hand depending on regime — check before you compare offers.

    Compare regimes →
  6. 06

    Read the letter for red flags

    Service bonds, training-cost clawbacks, vague "as per company policy" variable, a notice period longer than 60 days, or a joining bonus with a long recovery clause are all worth questioning before you sign.

  7. 07

    Compare offers side by side

    If you have more than one offer, line them up on real take-home — not CTC. The higher number on paper is frequently not the better offer once tax and structure are accounted for.

    Compare offers →

Frequently asked

How do I decide whether to accept a job offer?
Convert the CTC to real monthly in-hand first, then weigh the variable-pay reliability, ESOP value and terms, the size of the hike versus your current pay, and any red flags in the letter (bonds, clawbacks, long notice). A genuinely better offer should improve your in-hand meaningfully — typically 20%+ for a switch — not just the headline CTC.
Is a higher CTC always a better offer?
No. CTC includes employer PF, gratuity, and conditional variable pay you may never receive as monthly cash. A higher CTC with a large variable component or a lower fixed base can pay less in-hand than a lower-CTC, all-fixed offer. Always compare on take-home.
What hike percentage justifies switching jobs?
As a rule of thumb, aim for 20% or more on in-hand for a same-role switch, to offset the reset on tenure, the notice period, and the ramp-up at a new company. Below roughly 10–15%, the move usually only makes sense if the role, learning, or trajectory is clearly better.

Related

Compare offers → CTC vs in-hand → Negotiation & offer letter → All comparisons →

FY 2025-26 · verified against incometax.gov.in · last reviewed . All calculations run in your browser.