As a hiring manager, part of your job is to help your prospects make the best career decisions.

Benjamin Franklin once found himself in this position with a friend who was facing a difficult career choice.

To make the decision, Franklin advised him to first make a simple list of pros and cons.

He then suggested using the following technique to simplify the list:

1. Analyze the pro/con list and apply estimated “weights” to each item.

2. Strike out items on each list having the same weight in a 1:1 ratio. One equal weight pro cancels out one equal weight con.

3. Remove additional items by looking for situations where one pro would equal the weight of two cons (or vice-versa).

4. If there are still a lot of items on the list, look for other weight ratios to eliminate more options (e.g., one three-weight pro would equal three one-weight cons).

Eventually, the list will be reduced to a manageable size, and the right decision will emerge.

Many leaders have adapted Franklin’s original advice to make it more defined and measurable.

But even in its simplest form, it’s a great tool to use when a prospect is on the fence about making a change.

It transforms you from being a recruiter into a trusted advisor.