Offers & Negotiation

Beginner · 12 min read · Behavioral Playbook, Behavioral Playbook

Comparing offers beyond salary, and negotiating without fear.

The interviews are over and an offer arrives, or two. This is the step people prepare for least, even though a single conversation can change your compensation more than a year of raises. Cracking the Coding Interview sums up its advice in two words: negotiate.

After the loop

Compare offers on the whole package

The book warns that the biggest mistake is looking only at the salary. Compare:

How to negotiate

From the book's negotiation advice:

Before you accept

Further reading

Key takeaways

  • Compare whole packages: base, bonus, equity, one-time payments, cost of living and benefits, annualised.
  • Weigh growth, stability, team and location, not just money.
  • Negotiate: have an alternative, make a specific ask, ask a little above target, think beyond salary.
  • Big companies pay in bands per level; a large jump means arguing for a higher level.
  • Get everything in writing, and leave your current job on good terms.

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