Sometimes the hardest part of a career move isn’t the job search.

It’s deciding what to say yes to.

Do I take the promotion… or change companies?
Do I go for stability… or purpose?
Do I leap… or wait?

When you're faced with competing opportunities—or conflicting priorities—it's easy to get stuck in analysis paralysis.

That’s where the Career Decision Matrix comes in.

Why a Matrix Helps

When emotions, fears, and “what-ifs” cloud your judgment, a decision matrix brings in:
✅ Structure
✅ Objectivity
✅ Self-awareness
✅ Confidence

It’s not about removing intuition—it’s about balancing it with strategy.

Step 1: Define What Matters to You

Before evaluating options, define your decision criteria. Ask yourself:

• What are my non-negotiables?

• What values must this opportunity align with?

• What kind of growth, impact, or support do I need?

Common criteria include:

• Compensation

• Flexibility

• Leadership culture

• Learning opportunity

• Work-life integration

• Industry impact

• Stability vs. innovation

• Personal alignment

Choose 4–6 criteria that matter most right now.

Step 2: List Your Options

This could be:

• A job offer vs. staying put

• Two different companies

• Full-time role vs. consulting

• Promotion vs. pivot

List them across the top row of a chart.

Step 3: Score Each Option

Rate how well each option meets each of your criteria on a scale of 1 to 5.
(1 = not aligned at all, 5 = completely aligned)

You can also weigh your most important values for more accuracy.

Example:

Criteria

Option A

Option B

Leadership Culture

4

2

Compensation

3

5

Flexibility

5

2

Growth Opportunity

4

4

Total Score

16

13

Step 4: Reflect on the Emotional Overlay

Even with clear scores, it’s worth asking:

• Which option feels most energizing?

• What fear (if any) is influencing this decision?

• What would I choose if I trusted myself completely?

Use your intuition to confirm, not confuse, what the matrix reveals.

Step 5: Make a Move You Can Own

The best decision isn’t always the “safe” one or the “prestigious” one—it’s the one that aligns with:

• Your values

• Your current season

• Your long-term vision

💡 Coach Tamara’s Insight

“The most powerful decisions are the ones you make with both logic and alignment. That’s what builds unstoppable momentum.”

📢Action Steps

Today, take time to:
✔ Use the Career Decision Matrix to evaluate one opportunity
✔ Talk through your decision with a coach or trusted advisor
✔ Commit to a next step—whether it’s a yes, a no, or a not-yet

Need help clarifying your career options?
🗓️Schedule a complimentary Clarity Session