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📰 Summary (use your own words)

Actionable advice on salary negotiations. Embrace the negotiating mindset. Don't think you are being difficult because it is a important part of the process.

✍ïļ Notes

  • You should always negotiate and you won't damage a relationship by negotiating
  • Get everything in writing
    • Write notes for all the different offers/perks they have mentioned to refer back to when getting the final offer on paper
  • Always keep the door open
    • The recruiter will give details and ask "what do you think?"
    • Your job is to not give up negotiating power until you are ready to make an informed, deliberate final decision
    • Their favourite thing to hear is "yes, when do I start" followed by "instead of x can we do y?"
  • Information is power
    • The company is not giving you insights into how they are thinking, and you only have negotiating power because they don't have information on you
    • Instead say something along the lines of "Yeah! This is a great opportunity and I think I would be a great fit. Right now I'm talking with a few other companies so I can't speak to the specific details of the offer until I'm done with the process and get closer to making a decision. But I'm sure we can reach a mutually satisfactory stage because I really would love to be part of this team"
  • Always be positive
    • Be unequivocally positive!
    • Your excitement is one of the most valuable assets, always give them the impression that you are interested in the company and you are still excited to work there
  • Don't be the decision maker
    • Wrap up the convo with something like "Thank you, and I will look over the details with a significant other and I'll reach out if I have any questions and be in touch"
  • Have alternatives
    • By roping in other people, you are now not the only decision maker they have to convince
    • It is a classic customer support technique because it is no longer their decision to make
    • Proactively reach out to any other companies that you are in the pipelines with to let them know you have alternative offers in hand
    • Demand breeds demand
    • Timing is important, try to keep as many overlapping offers as possibly and start with larger companies first because they are slower
  • Proclaim reasons for everything
    • Make them feel that they have a reason for complying with your demand as opposed to just "because"
  • Be motivated by more than just money
    • When you are motivated by other things, you might end up with more money
    • Ask about other dimensions - what training will you get, what is my first project, who my mentor will be
    • Also salary is usually the hardest thing to move but think about other things you can ask for
  • Final decision
    • Make it a business day
    • Give it a clear deadline so everyone in the party knows
    • Final trump card is "as you know, I am planning to do this and if you can give me this I will sign"