How to compare job offers beyond the headline salary
Compare confirmed pay, working costs, hours and benefits before accepting an offer.
Put both offers on the same basis
Collect the same details for each role: title, location, working days and hours, quoted pay, pay frequency, probation arrangements and conditions. Separate confirmed terms from informal promises and request missing details in writing.
Ask whether the amount is gross or take-home pay and which deductions apply. Request an employer breakdown rather than estimating from an unrelated example. Obtain qualified advice where needed. This is a comparison worksheet, not a calculation of legal entitlements or personal taxes.
Estimate the costs of taking the job
List costs created by the work: transport, extra meals, data, power, required clothing and additional care arrangements. Use your own estimates. Ask which travel or equipment expenses are reimbursed and how quickly. Costs paid before reimbursement may still affect your budget.
Illustrative figures only: confirmed monthly take-home pay of NGN 180,000 minus NGN 40,000 in additional working costs leaves NGN 140,000 before other living expenses. NGN 165,000 minus NGN 15,000 leaves NGN 150,000. These invented figures show a comparison method, not salary benchmarks. Use confirmed take-home amounts when applying this method to your offers.
Consider time alongside money
Record expected working hours and commuting time. Ask about weekends, shifts, on-call availability and how schedule changes are communicated. A higher monthly figure may leave less time for study, family or rest. Decide which trade-offs are sustainable for you.
For remote work, establish the time zone and required overlap. For field work, ask about travel days. Do not assume "flexible" means you choose every working hour. Ask what a typical week looks like and compare that with your commitments.
Separate guaranteed pay from possibilities
Use different columns for guaranteed pay, variable amounts and benefits. Ask how commission or bonuses are earned, measured and paid. Do not count a possible maximum commission as certain income. Ask what benefits cover and when eligibility starts.
Consider training, supervision, equipment and career development too. They may influence your decision without having a simple cash value. A vague promise of future promotion should not replace clear terms for the job you are accepting now.
Clarify the details before accepting
A useful message is: "Thank you for the offer. Before confirming, could you clarify the take-home amount, working schedule, expense arrangements and how variable payments are calculated?" Keep questions factual and focused on the information you need.
Read the written agreement and check that it matches the answers. Discuss unfamiliar clauses with a suitable adviser. Confirm the start date and outstanding conditions before making commitments based on the offer. Keep your comparison sheet so your decision reflects the whole role, not just the largest number.