Handling Job Offer Negotiations

Most job seekers only negotiate salary. And they leave money on the table as a result. Here are 9 other things you can ask for in a job offer: First, let's start with some context on when to use these options. Let's say you want a $120k base. The company offers $100k and won't budge. That's a $20k gap! If you accept? You miss out on $20k. But if you bring other options to the table? You can close that gap. That's where these alternatives come into play. Option #1: Bonuses Bonuses are great ways to put more dollars in your pocket. They're also an easier sell because the company only pays out if you meet or exceed expectations. Extra credit if you can negotiate accelerators for beating your goals. Option #2: Equity Equity can also lead to more $ in your pocket, but the risk / reward variance is larger. You need to do your due diligence on the company first. If you feel like they have a clear path to IPO / acquisition / growth? Go for it. Option #3: Paid Time Off Working less while getting paid is the dream, right? That's what more PTO gets you. But that's not all. The company owes you for PTO you've accrued. If you leave the company with unused days? They send you a check for that time. Option #4: Job Title Job titles are arbitrary unless you can snag a "tier leap." Tiers include: IC, Manager, Director, VP, and C-Level. If you can negotiate your title up a tier? You'll be eligible for more senior roles down the road. That'll boost your future earnings. Option #5: WFH Stipend Want to upgrade your home office? Or have the company cover some of your internet costs? Or get out of the house with a stipend for a co-working space? All of those are things that you can (and should) ask for if you're going to be a remote employee. Option #6: Commuting Costs Going back to the office costs time and money. Transportation, gas, and parking usually aren't free. You can ask companies to help cover them. Option #7: Continuing Education Learning new skills and honing existing ones is an easy way to increase your value as an employee. Why not do that on the company dime? Ask if the company has a budget for continuing education or if they'd be willing to create one for you. Option #8: Mentorship There's no better way to accelerate your growth than to learn from the best. But you probably didn't think you could negotiate that, did you. Well, you can! Don't be afraid to ask for time with certain leaders and individuals as part of your package. Option #9: Relocation Costs Do you have to move for this role? That's expensive! It'd be one thing if the company totally blew you away with their offer. But if we're negotiating? Don't be afraid to make up the gap by asking for a relocation stipend. So, next time you're negotiating for a new role? Don't stop if the company won't budge on base. Use some of these options to boost that offer value!

If you accept the first salary offer, you just left money on the table. Most people do this. They get an offer, and instead of pushing back some… they just take it. That’s exactly what one of my students almost did, until I showed them how to negotiate like they should. Here’s what happened: They were working as a Systems Engineer and landed an offer for $10K more than their current salary. Not bad, right? But then they did some research. The market rate for their role was actually $10K-$20K HIGHER than what they were offered. So they came to me and said, “Broadus, I know I deserve more, but how do I ask for it?” This is what I told them: You don’t just ask for more money. You PROVE why you’re worth it. Here’s the exact script I gave them: 👉🏾 Hey [Recruiter’s Name], based on my research and experience, I’d love to revisit the salary discussion. Here are four key reasons why: 1️⃣ I’ve been in an engineering role for over a year and a half, gaining the necessary experience. 2️⃣ During interviews, hiring managers told me I exceeded expectations. 3️⃣ As an internal hire, I understand the company’s process, reducing ramp-up time. 4️⃣ I already have 70-80% of the required skills for this position. Based on industry data, this role in my location typically pays between $X and $Y. 👉🏾 What are the chances we can meet at [$X] instead? And guess what? The recruiter came back with a $10K increase. Here’s why this works: 👉🏾 It’s a logical, value-based argument, not an emotional plea. 👉🏾 It provides specific proof, you’re showing, not just telling. 👉🏾 It uses market data, you’re backing your ask with facts. 👉🏾 It’s a COLLABORATION, not a demand, the phrase “What are the chances?” makes it a discussion. If you’re about to negotiate your salary, do these three things: ✅ Research your salary range (Glassdoor, Levels.fyi, LinkedIn Salary Insights). ✅ List out your key value points, what makes you the best choice? ✅ Use this script and ask with confidence. The first offer? It’s NEVER their best offer. Negotiate. Ask. Demand your worth. If you want more real-world strategies to land high-paying cloud roles, drop a "Script" in the comments, and I will send you a script you can use on your negotiations!

I didn’t know that I could negotiate more than my salary. Don’t limit negotiations to salary alone. Other components of a job offer that can provide additional value: Bonuses A structured bonus can significantly boost your earnings, rewarding you for achieving specific performance targets. Equity Equity can offer substantial financial rewards in the long-term, though it carries a higher risk compared to fixed income. Paid Time Off More paid time off can improve your quality of life and provide you with well-deserved breaks. Job Title An enhanced job title can increase your professional standing and open up future career opportunities. Professional Development Seek opportunities for the company to fund your professional development through courses or certifications, enhancing your skills and career prospects. Flexible Working Conditions Negotiating the flexibility to work remotely or adjust your working hours can lead to a better balance between work and personal life. Consider these negotiation options to maximize your total compensation and job satisfaction. What have you negotiated or wish you had negotiated before accepting a new role?

"We will pay you $75K this year and $110K next year.” I’ve helped candidates negotiate six-figure salaries, remote flexibility, and better perks. Even when employers initially resisted. Well... negotiations often hit a standstill when both sides are holding firm. The employer won’t budge, and the employee doesn’t want to compromise. So how do you move forward without losing what matters most? 1️⃣ Understand their WHY. Your employer isn’t just being difficult. They have reasons, maybe budget constraints, company culture, and managerial oversight. If they insist on in-office work, maybe they’re worried about productivity. If they push back on salary, maybe they’re balancing multiple hires. 2️⃣ Reframe the discussion. Instead of saying, "I can only do remote", say "I’ll provide daily Loom updates to showcase my work and keep communication transparent." This way, they don’t feel like they’re losing control. They’re gaining certainty. 3️⃣ Propose a step-up structure. If they claim they can’t meet your salary, introduce a phased increase: "What if we start at $75K now, with a structured raise to $110K next year based on performance?" Now, you’re giving them flexibility while ensuring you get the pay you deserve. 4️⃣ Negotiate beyond salary. If they won’t budge on pay, shift the focus. More vacation? Training budget? Performance-based bonuses? There are multiple levers to pull. The goal isn’t to win. It’s to walk away happy. No one gets 100% of what they want, But the best negotiators ensure both sides leave with a deal that feels fair. If your negotiation is stuck, shift from demands to solutions. That’s how you break the deadlock.

SHOULD I NEGOTIATE SALARY OR NOT? Hi Liz, I see that you post questions you receive often so as I prepare for my job search in the new year, I thought I would ask your opinion on salary negotiation. If I have a range that I am seeking and find a position that pays above my targeted range, would you still recommend negotiating for a higher salary?  My stance has always been to negotiate (and it most certainly has worked to my benefit).  I have not hesitated in the past to do so because the offer has been right on target or lower than my expectations.  In this scenario of being offered a salary higher than my range, I am not sure how I would be able to justify more.  The position is in line with what I do now and provides a small step of upward mobility (from manager to senior manager).  What are your thoughts? Thanks, Kamille Hi Kamille, You'll decide whether or not to negotiate the salary (or any aspect of the job, from job title and work schedule to bonus potential and tuition reimbursement) in context, that is, armed with all the information about the role and the opportunity that you will not have until much later in the process. You'll gain tremendous insight as you step through the job search process, and when you receive the offer you'll know what's important to you at that moment - even if that thing hasn't been important to you before. Here's your assignment: 1. Make a list of the attributes your ideal job will have. How much will the job pay? What will your work schedule be? What will your job title be, and what will the scope of your job be? Will you work from home or somewhere else? What will the career path associated with the role be? 2. Get specific about your pay requirements. What do you need in terms of base salary, bonus, long-term incentives if any, benefits, time off and other requirements? Which elements are most important to you? Which are more flexible? 3. If you haven't done so already, research pay levels for the job(s) you want. Use Payscale to see what other employers pay for the kind of work you plan to do. 4. Now that you know what your talent, skills and experience are worth to employers you're fully equipped to pursue the jobs you want. Don't worry about whether or not to negotiate. You'll reach the right answer when you need it by consulting your trusty gut. Here's to you! Best, Liz

As an executive recruiter, I've observed a common mistake professionals make when faced with salary pushback: immediately becoming defensive or flexible. Here's a more strategic approach 👇 When a recruiter challenges your salary expectations, avoid these common responses: • "I'm flexible on the number" • Lengthy justifications of your experience • Immediate concessions • Defensive reactions • Apologetic backtracking Instead, employ these strategic responses: • Redirect the discussion: "Could you share the allocated budget for this role?" • Explore total compensation: "Let's discuss the complete compensation package structure." • Reference market data: "Based on my research of similar roles in this market..." • Probe their perspective: "Help me understand how you arrived at your range." • Focus on value creation: "Let's discuss how my expertise can deliver value beyond the base salary." Remember: Salary discussions are business negotiations, not personal judgments. Your worth isn't determined by their budget constraints. The key is maintaining professional confidence while gathering information. Often, the first mention of salary concerns is the beginning of a negotiation, not the end. Check out my newsletter for more insights here: https://lnkd.in/ei_uQjju #executiverecruiter #eliterecruiter #jobmarket2025 #profoliosai #resume #jobstrategy #salarynegotiation

🎖️𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐉𝐨𝐛 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫 𝐍𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐚 𝐖𝐢𝐧-𝐖𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧⁣⁣⁣🏆😎🚀 ⁣ As the founder of Raya Advisory, an executive and leadership recruiting firm, I’ve helped negotiate dozens of executive & leadership job offers! Over the past few weeks alone, we’ve placed multiple top executives and leaders into high-profile AI companies, including public ones. 🔥🔥 As an executive recruiting firm, we sit at the intersection of candidates and companies. I coach talents through offers and act as a trusted partner to our clients (AI, SaaS Enterprise, health tech companies), helping them structure offers that work for both sides. In my view, the most fundamental criterion for a successful negotiation is to “𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐀 𝐖𝐢𝐧-𝐖𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧”! Here are 5 key factors to apply for a successful negotiation: 🔹 𝐏𝐮𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐲’𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐞𝐬. See the world from the other party’s lens, understand their abilities & limitations, and know what to negotiate to close the deal. Creating a win-win situation is key in any negotiation so everyone walks away satisfied and excited about what’s ahead. 🔹 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐦. Every negotiation is a chance to build trust and alignment; it’s an opportunity to make a long-lasting relationship and unlock future possibilities, not just extract value. This is particularly true about job offer negotiation. You want to start your new job on the right foot. 🔹 𝐄𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩, 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞. Stock, bonuses, benefits, and growth trajectory can significantly shift the equation. Understand the full picture before deciding. Also, think about upside potential with the company’s stock options or RSUs. Stock appreciation for public companies and IPO or M&A exist are what form the biggest part of the compensation of those who have a big earn-out. 🔹 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞—𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞 𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞. Benchmarking matters. But also consider what you specifically bring to this role—your track record, strategic edge, and timing. That’s what justifies a premium. 🔹 𝐁𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐠𝐨𝐚𝐥𝐬. If equity, scope, title, flexibility, or location matter more to you than base -- say it. Negotiate multiple factors if you are more open to different types of compensation packages. The best offers come from clear, honest priorities. To all the execs and rising leaders out there: if you’re navigating offers right now, I’m happy to share more insights or talk through scenarios. Let’s get you the right role, the right way.🍀 #ExecutiveSearch #NegotiationTips #AILeadership #HiringExecutives #JobSearchAdvice #LeadershipHiring #CompensationStrategy

Friend: "I got an amazing offer! 50,000 shares!" Me: "What's the total outstanding shares?" Friend: "Um... I don't know" Me: "What type of shares are they?" Friend: "Not sure..." Me: "When can you sell them?" Friend: "I should probably ask..." I've had this conversation at least seven times in the last year, and here's the playbook I usually share with those friends. 1/ Understand the type of equity Not all equity is created equal: ↳ RSUs are actual shares that vest over time ↳ Stock options let you buy shares at a set price ↳ Preferred vs common stock have different rights 2/ Know your vesting schedule The classic is "4-year vest with a 1-year cliff" Translation: You get nothing if you leave before year 1 Then you get 25% after year 1 And ~2% each month after But don't assume this is standard. Always ask: ↳ What's my vesting schedule? ↳ Are there acceleration clauses? ↳ What happens in an acquisition? 3/ Get the full picture before discussing numbers Ask for: ↳ Total shares outstanding ↳ Latest 409A valuation ↳ Investor preferences ↳ Prior funding rounds ↳ Expected exit timeline 4/ Model different scenarios Don't just focus on the "we IPO at $10B" dream. Model out: ↳ Down round ↳ Flat round ↳ Modest growth ↳ Hyper growth ↳ Acquisition 5/ Understand the downsides If you're getting options, know that you might have to: ↳ Pay to exercise them (could be $$$$) ↳ Hold them for years before selling ↳ Pay taxes before seeing any gains ↳ Lose them all if you leave too soon 6/ Negotiate the details, not just the number Key terms to discuss: ↳ Early exercise options ↳ Extended exercise windows ↳ Acceleration triggers ↳ Refresher grants ↳ Tax implications 7/ Plan for the "what ifs" ↳ What if the company gets acquired? ↳ What if I need to leave early? ↳ What if the next round is a down round? Pro tip: Email these questions to the recruiter. Create a paper trail. Get the answers in writing. Remember: Equity can be life-changing. But it can also be worth zero. Your job isn't to be optimistic or pessimistic. It's to be realistic. What other equity negotiation tips would you add?

Before you accept that next big job offer, know these truths before you sign. 1. Benchmark your equity against tenure, risk, and stage. Most strategic hires will not stay long enough to vest all four years. That’s reality. Structure your equity knowing that there is a >75% chance you won't be fully vested when you leave. Average tenure for VP+ is a sobering two years. Ask for a 1 year exercise window versus the customary 90 days. – 0.5–1% at Series C+ – 1–2% at Series A/B – 3–5% at Seed 2. Align cash compensation to scope, not title. Many mid-stage companies misprice roles by mapping to HR-defined levels rather than business-critical scope. If you're inheriting operational complexity, managing cross-functional latency, or being asked to stabilize the org, your comp should reflect that weight. 3. Understand how capital and operating cadence shape your window for impact. You’ll be expected to produce strategic leverage fast. But few companies give you the infrastructure or onboarding to do it. Assess how realistic the expectations are in relation to the company’s capital runway, leadership alignment, and maturity of execution. I would wager >50% of companies don't set their strategic hires up for success... because you're the solution to all the problems. 4. Resource constraints will be structural, not temporary. It will feel like there’s never quite enough. Not enough people, not enough time, not enough data. The question is whether you’re empowered to prioritize, sequence, and say no without political cost. 5. Titles don’t grant decision rights. Ask early: What exactly do I own? Where do I have authority versus influence? Strategic hires often fall into gray zones between founders and functional leads. Without clear decision rights, you will either overstep or become a puppet. Neither ends well. 6. Negotiate severance up front. Consider yourself lucky if you make it to two years. Most execs don’t leave because they failed. They leave because priorities changed, politics, funding tightened, or leadership realigned. Protect yourself. 7. The moment you accept the offer, you're playing a losing game. Cynical, yes. Realistic? Also yes. The perception of your credibility is fixed. Whatever leverage you had in the hiring process begins to decay once you step inside. Be intentional about how you show up. The clarity you establish in month one will shape how much agency you retain in month twelve. Lastly, this is a tough market and you need to accept this harsh reality. Every business is struggling. Many will survive. Few will thrive. But in every macroeconomic environment like this one, category defining leaders will prevail. Don't give up.

Here’s the framework I used to help my client negotiate a 17% salary increase BEFORE they received an offer ↓ I call this the RAVE approach. Here’s how it works: R - Research 1. Conduct thorough research BEFORE the process starts - set goals - determine your priorities - determine your ‘walk-away’ number 2. Use sites like Fishbowl, Blind, Glassdoor to understand recent compensation packages. 3. Check sites like Payscale, and Levels[.]fyi to check general salary ranges. 4. Look at similar job descriptions in states like WA, and NY to see base salary ranges. Know your numbers before you say numbers. If you don’t know them, don’t provide them. Simply ask for more time and respond later. A - Articulate 1. Present your case clearly and persuasively. 2. Use logic, data, and evidence to support your position. 3. Address potential counter arguments proactively. ***Defer the negotiation to after the interview if possible. If you’re forced to provide an expectation, keep your answer minimally sufficient. V - Value *Your best negotiation tool is your interview. 1. Deliver clear examples of how you have created value for past customers and employers. 2. Connect your skills and experiences to return on investment (ROI) opportunities. 3. Leverage targeted pitch decks to explain how you would deliver results for the business. E - Explore 1. Consider all aspects of the offer once in hand. 2. Understand what components of the offer are negotiable, and prioritize them according to where you want to focus. 3. Common components often include: - Base salary - Sign on bonus - Equity, or restricted stock units - PTO - Work from home, or flexible location days 4. Establish common ground on areas of agreement when you counter. And remember; be reasonable and transparent. Hiring teams want you to be happy with your offer. Let them know if you’re not. - - - What would you add to this framework? Let me know in the comments.