How much does current compensation matter?
Have about 3 years of sde experience now, looking for a switch to big tech. Feel that my current comp is pretty low (tc: 90k), had to take the initial offer due to other reasons, will this matter in my negotiations? I think I can crack FAANG. How much would be my ceiling?
All of these companies have Comp bands by level. So the level (ie qualifications) matters most. Once you’ve got an offer, very high current Comp can sometimes help you to negotiate within the band (usually the signing bonus or initial grant, not the salary). But that’s a second order variable.
I'm worried because I feel my initial offers might be low even if I have competing offers. That's give me lesser room to negotiate. I think I need to look up into levels a bit more.
How does a low initial offer give you less room, it gives you more room instead. The market is hot, get a sense of what companies are paying for your level and be willing to walk if the offer is too low.
You should aim for L4 or 250 TC at least. If you end up at L3 it should be at least 210.
You should be more worried about your branding, Slalom is not seen as a high performing workplace in top tier tech resume screens.
Not really worried about branding and screening I have already got a couple of inbound calls from these companies. I was previously a founder and I'm self taught.
Nice. If you’re worried about getting lowballed go get competing offers.
Just get competing offers
Your negotiation is based on your position of strength. As upoppd mentioned that can be grown stronger by getting a competing offer.
Or pretend