Negotiate salary UP and level DOWN?

Pandora
toughlove

Go to company page Pandora

toughlove
Jan 4, 2018 17 Comments

Have you ever negotiated your salary up and then your level down during offer negotiations?

The idea is that you negotiate your package first (salary, RSUs and PTOs), then you ask for the lowest level possible. The reason is that you’d be closer to the next level up and when you level up, it is usually easier to negotiate a higher compensation.

This idea was presented to me and I’m wondering if you’ve ever heard of that or have experiences doing that during you negotiations. Does it work? How do you ask for leveling down without being weird?

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TOP 17 Comments
  • Amazon
    FreeHat

    Go to company page Amazon

    FreeHat
    I didn't negotiate down, but I decided not to push for next level, even though I think it's more accurate, partly due to this reason. A friend/hiring manager told me I'd be better off to come in at top of comp range at lower level and get quick promo instead of come in at bottom of next. Might depend on how long you expect it to be for promo.
    Jan 4, 2018 1
    • Microsoft / Mgmt
      Бабушка

      Go to company page Microsoft Mgmt

      Бабушка
      I always advise folks against that. It's always better to be underpaid and the higher level than overpaid at a lower level.

      First, time in level is always a consideration -- you have to spend some time in level before you accumulate enough impactful contributions to be considered for promo

      Second, companies have mechanisms to ensure that people at same levels get paid roughly the same i.e. the company will tend to adjust you up if you are underpaid.

      Third, higher level means higher opportunities for impact that come with the level. I'd rather be the lowest paid VP than the highest paid director at a company.

      Of course this all assumes you are able to.perform at the higher level....
      Jan 5, 2018
  • Amazon
    FreeHat

    Go to company page Amazon

    FreeHat
    I think it ultimately depends on the level. L4 to L5 is quick. L5 to L6 takes much longer. I think it would be a mistake to go down in level if offer is for L6 and above. If you decide you leave, you want highest possible level and the longer that promo will take, the more risk.
    Jan 5, 2018 3
  • This is a bad idea financially for a couple of reasons.
    1) your annual stock refreshers will be lower (because you chose to be at a lower level).
    2) each level has a pay band. If you start at the very top of a level, your increments will be tiny because you're already at the top of the band.

    I would much rather start at the correct level.
    Jan 5, 2018 6
    • AppDynamics / Eng
      aGCk73

      Go to company page AppDynamics Eng

      PRE
      Juniper Networks
      aGCk73
      Thanks, makes sense. Is the band for your level known to you ? I.e. as an employee do you know where are you in the band ?
      Jan 7, 2018
    • Not officially. But there's an internal group where hundreds of employees share their compensation letters each half, and people reverse engineer formulas and bands based on that.
      Jan 7, 2018
  • Uber / Eng
    Rqwx5o

    Go to company page Uber Eng

    PRE
    Google
    Rqwx5o
    I can't imagine this looking good to the hiring manager...
    Jan 5, 2018 2
    • Pandora
      toughlove

      Go to company page Pandora

      toughlove
      OP
      Are you a HM? Can you think of a reason why? I’m being offered something good but the level is a bit of a stretch. I’m a little worried to get stuck at the same level longer for that reason.
      Jan 5, 2018
    • Uber / Eng
      Rqwx5o

      Go to company page Uber Eng

      PRE
      Google
      Rqwx5o
      They don't know much about you besides the interview. They might read a lot more into your request than you might imagine. E.g. that you are not ambitious
      Jan 5, 2018
  • What did you end up doing OP?
    Feb 6, 2018 0