The Company’s Perspective

This information was graciously provided by Dave Nelsen of CoManage Corporation, who isn't responsible for anything you do with it (see our disclaimer).

Overview

• Hiring qualified people is a big challenge
• Good people are hard to find
• It’s a sellers’ market
  (more jobs than good candidates --- you have power)
• We’ve decided that we want you (made an offer)
• Now we’re worried that you will turn us down

The Company’s Perspective

• Negotiating (reasonably) is not seen as a negative
• We’re trying to close you and expect that we may have to work at it
• We have budgets on $$ (and stock) that we must operate within
• We want to be consistent and fair to current employees
• Competition (another offer) will loosen our grip on our wallet

Negotiable Items
(Probably)

• Signing bonus (it’s a one-time cost - not a big deal relative to total recruiting costs)
• Relocation $$ may be negotiable (correlated with likely cost - build your case)
• Salary may be slightly negotiable (perhaps by a few thousand $$)
• Options may be more negotiable
  (5% - 20%)

Not Negotiable Items
(Probably)

• Basic benefits (health insurance, life insurance, etc.)
• Company paid portion
• Vacation days
• Stock option type (ISO vs. NQSO)
• Option vesting schedule, strike price, acceleration terms, etc.

Counteroffers

• New employers don’t like dealing with counteroffers by current employers
• Many employees who accept counteroffers are seen as no longer part of the team
• Makes it look like you’re in it just for the money
• Doesn’t change most underlying issues
• Not fair to other loyal and dedicated employees
• Calls into question your motivations with your potential new employer
• May foreclose a future opportunity

Disclaimer: This material is provided free as a service to the high tech community. We don't guarantee that it's current, useful, or even vaguely accurate. For all you know, it could be pure garbage that we generated with a copy of the US tax law and a Markov chaining program. We take no responsibility whatsoever for anything bad that happens to you, ever. Have a nice day.