What are the rules for negotiating a job offer?
There are 15 rules for negotiating a job offer. One is “don’t underestimate the importance of likeability,” which means managing inevitable tensions in negotiation, being persistent without being a nuisance, and understanding how other people perceive your approach. Another rule is “make it clear they can get you.”
How does start-up compensation compare to other companies?
Start-up compensation varies widely, so do some research on how it compares with salaries for similar positions at similar firms (i.e., if you currently work for a big company, don’t compare the offer to what you’re making now). You can also use AngelList’s new salary feature for comparables.
What is a start-up job offer?
Start-up job offers are meant for candidates who are willing to take the risks—salary, career, and benefits—for a long-term pay-off. On that note, here’s what to consider before you open those negotiations.
How do you pay for performance on an offer?
Pay for performance. When we’re hiring someone who has a hard-to-match base salary at their current employer, we cushion our offer with a lucrative bonus structure, commission pay, or other performance incentives. That way, they get paid for the value they add, up to or beyond their current base salary.
Should you strike when the iron’s hot for postdocs?
“You need to strike when the iron’s hot,” says James Borowiec, a professor at NYUSM. This also helps you avoid giving the impression that you are an “eternal postdoc,” he says, as lacking the ambition to pursue permanent positions can be a red flag for search committees.
Can you negotiate with a company that has never hired you?
On the other hand, if you’re negotiating with a smaller company that has never hired someone in your role, there may be room to adjust the initial salary offer or job title but not other things. The better you understand the constraints, the more likely it is that you’ll be able to propose options that solve both sides’ problems.
Why is it so hard to negotiate a high salary offer?
Because they may have certain ironclad constraints, such as salary caps, that no amount of negotiation can loosen. Your job is to figure out where they’re flexible and where they’re not. If, for example, you’re talking to a large company that’s hiring 20 similar people at the same time, it probably can’t give you a higher salary than everyone else.