Offer evaluation at LA unicorn
Apr 24, 2019
27 Comments
Got initial offer from unicorn in Santa-Monica
Benefits are very nice, but financial side of offer is:
Base - 175k
Bonus 10%
Stock options - worth $25k (told verbally) UPDATE below
Position Principal Data Engineer (AWS).
Total TC = 192K
Currently:
YOE: 15+.
TC: 150k+20% = 180k
Have a few day for accept it.
I like what company is doing, but concerned about financial side of this deal.
1. How does community think, should I accept it negotiate for higher (how much %) ?
2. Stock options - should I much put attention on it ?
Please share your experience!'
UPDATE
180k + 10%
350k stock options in 4 years.
TC around 270k
Willing to accept.
Thanks blinders!
comments
For reference, I have 1 YOE after grad school with TC 195K (though in SF).
Disclaimer: I negotiated just a little bit. Looking back I could have done more.
Base - $140K
Stock options - 40K ($175-$185K)
Sign-on - $5K
In LA area it's not common to see so high numbers even for seniors. But for my family it's better to stay where we are.
There should be some upside to taking a risk.
Agree, 25k - is nothing, I can say it right away. What do you think reasonable amount of stocks to ask ?
PS. I'm not willing to overwhelm them as well ;)
Thanks.
Now, also consider the risk factor of joining the unicorn — it may be unlikely, but there may be an economic downturn before IPO that affects its valuation for example. (If it’s Fair or Bird, that’s a possibility.)
So, yeah...you should have some upside to joining a startup, considering that you can’t go liquid immediately (and time is money) and the risk involved. I’d ask for at least $1M from this unicorn (vesting over 4 years).
I doubt they will give you more base but they can give some extra bonus.
Better to come with counter offers.
Anyway, congrats on your offer!
I'll try 180k+20%, which around my sweet spot.
I have one more offer, it's weaker 185 TC, but huge plus - walking distance to office ;)