I’m interviewing for a SWE role at a defense contractor. My current TC is 90k in the Bay Area with 3.5 YOE, and my ideal base salary would be between 120-150k. The recruiter said government positions don’t pay market values, and the max they’d give me is 100k base despite my experience. I will absolutely take this position since its still higher paying than my current role, but I want to know if I have some wiggle room to bump that up to at least 110k or if they really mean that 100k is the max.
Of course he will say that. Unfortunately your negotiating leverage only increases with your ability to walk away.
All good negotiators r strict till u make them go limp.
You don't have wiggle room unless you're willing to walk.
I work at a defense contractor now. You are an idiot for wanting to go this route. There’s plenty of other tech companies in the bay. If you’re drawn to aerospace and clearances, go with a startup. Otherwise I’ll pray for your soul, because that is the stupidest move you could ever make
I’m pretty desperate to get out of my current situation man. Why do you dislike your job?
How's WLB at defense contractor job? Is US citizenship required? Can GC holders apply for these jobs?
If you're in a tight spot and can't stay at current job and can't find anything anytime soon then take it and move within 6-8 months
That’s the plan. Stay for like a year then bounce somewhere else. Of course I’ll continue to leetcode in the mean time.
Stay long enough so you get vested in the pension plan then bounce
Defense contractors often make money on the spread between what rate they bill you out to the government for and what rate they pay you. Thus there is a hard cap on your pay - they won't pay you more than you cost them! 150k is asking a lot for 3.5 YOE, so good luck!
Thanks for the insight. What do you think is a reasonable TC to ask for?
They just said 150k. Edit: unless they edited.
"My current TC is 90k in the Bay Area with 3.5 YOE" ebany pizdec :D how do you survive? Food stamps???
Living with housemates and being frugal. But it’s getting difficult.
Show him 🍆
You can still negotiate!!
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15 years age difference, need advice! 🙏
Get competing offers to bolster your position.
Unfortunately I don’t have any other interviews in the pipeline and am not confident I’ll get other offers in the near future. If I did get other offers I’d take those instead.
Location of the new role?