Salary Negotiation

Salary Negotiation

Negotiate compensation effectively and professionally.

Preparation

Market Research

• Levels.fyi: Tech compensation by level and company
• Glassdoor: Company-specific ranges
• Blind: Anonymous peer data
• Otta: Startup salary benchmarks

Know Your Numbers

• Target: Ideal offer (stretch)
• Acceptable: Minimum you'd sign
• Walk away: Below this, you decline

BATNA (Best Alternative to Negotiated Agreement)

Your strongest leverage is having another offer. If you don't:

• What's your current comp trajectory?
• How much runway do you have?
• What's the opportunity cost of waiting?

Negotiation Scripts

When they ask "What are you targeting?"

*"Based on my research (levels.fyi, other offers) and experience in [area], I'm targeting a total compensation of [target]. I'm flexible based on the overall package — equity, benefits, and growth opportunities all factor in."*

When they give the first offer

*"Thank you for sharing this. I'm excited about the role and team. Based on my research and experience, I was hoping for something closer to [number]. Is there flexibility in the offer?"*

Total Compensation Breakdown

| Component | What to Evaluate |

|-----------|------------------|

| Base Salary | Guaranteed cash |

| Equity | Type (RSU/options), vesting schedule, dilution |

| Bonus | Target %, structure, historical payout |

| Benefits | Healthcare, 401k match, remote stipend |

| Perks | Learning budget, equipment, travel |

Key Rules

• Always negotiate — even if the offer is good
• Never give the first number
• Negotiate on value, not need
• Be professional and gracious
• Get everything in writing