Negotiating paper stocks when switching companies
Feb 11
5 Comments
I recieved a verbal offer from Google and waiting for them to share the official numbers
Any pointers to leverage paper money aka pre IPO RSU's during negotiation? Do public companies honor this as part of negotiation?
Please share your experience successfully negotiating the $$$
Yoe: 7
Current
TC: 185k
Bonus: ~ 40k
Current vested stocks: ~2000 units
comments
On level, the lower the level the less room you have. Your ceiling on negotiating would be 30% up from initial offer imho if you’re less than 5 yoe. Probably more like 15%. Especially at a google where it’s a formula.
Leverage. Do you have and did you sell them on something special about yourself they can’t get elsewhere? If the answer js no, you’re probably maxed at 30% bump unless you’re charming af and have some novel strategies.
If you’re negotiating with random recruiter for standard role and level, there’s not gonna be a ton of wiggle room. If you’re negotiating with the CEO all options are on the table. Don’t forget that Ballmer got offered ~8% of Microsoft to be Gates assistant as the like 100th ish employee of Microsoft. If you negotiate with the ceo all options are on the table.
Also generally companies do not take current compensation as part of negotiation.