How to negotiate if you don’t have competing offers yet
Got a verbal offer from Amazon (L5 BIE). Based on feedback from similar posts, I asked the recruiter to give a number first. I was also recently promoted at my current firm and have a base of 130. If the recruiter comes back with something less than 130 base how should I negotiate? Also my interview was pretty good. Can anyone give me a breakdown of comp for BIE L5 and areas where I have better scope of negotiation? Current TC: 150 YOE : 6 Current location: NYC Offer location: Seattle
The easy mode is to just say "I'm currently getting 150" Don't mention how much is predicated on bonus or whatever, just go with that and they'll probably try matching it, but as base, and if you're happy with that then proceed. You can also fire back and say you would need a significant raise to consider switching and a match isn't enough.
If they return with an offer that's higher than what you get you can still try the significant raise to move tactic but it'll be less efficacious.
It's really hard to negotiate without competing offers. Your only leverage is your current job, but they already know that you want to leave anyways (else why go through the pain of interviews?). All you can say is "this is not enough for me to move/change jobs" which will not be enough leverage for a great offer, but may be enough to get a mediocre offer.
If you have competing offers, do they want to see it? How do they know what your competing offers are?
They ask to see some sort of proof (ex. email or offer letter) but you obviously don't have to share it. It's up to you how you want to negotiate, the point is that you make them believe you really can walk away.
Lots of people in IT also have a side gig generating significant amounts of cash semi-passively, and leverage the high profit/time spent managing the side business.
I think that default Amazon offer should be higher than your current TC.
Tell them your current TC and unvested RSUs and ask to match. They bumped the sign-on bonus for me to cover unvested RSUs.
No RSUs in consulting companies. Only bet would leveraging high annual performance bonus, right?
I’d be surprised if you get $130k base for L5 BIE. Expect closer to $115k base. You may get $150k TC, but only maybe. I’ve seen L6 BIEs with $160k TC. Please let us know what they offer you.
There could be two method to do counter offer when you have no other offers. First, it would be good to appeal to ask more than your current TC. Sometimes, you may not need to tell them your current TC before having the initial offer. It is very common to expect salary increase for the job change and HR should have no argue on this approach. Some company is asking lower TC due to their prestige brand name compared with your current company. Be nice and appeal your point Second, it would be also nice to tell HR to provide their best offer and you could say that you don't want to spend time on counter offer but spend more time on what you could bring to the company. Sincerely ask to HR to give you the best offer so that you could do your best for the company. Sometimes, they come back with better offer. I experienced this couple of times when I do not have any other offer. After the TC, you may want to check if anything else could be negotiated such as relocation package and any other benefits. Good luck!
Max they can offer for L5 BIE in Seattle is probably 160K unless the HM really likes you and is willing to fight for you. most likely base won't be more than 130K
You can try, but ultimately your only leverage is walking away.