I was offered:

$285k base

$57k bonus (i.e. 20%)

$23k 401k (i.e. 8% match)

How much should I counter for? I'm thinking:

$315k base

$63k bonus (i.e. sticking with 20%)

$25k 401k (i.e. sticking with 8% match--I don't think this is negotiable)

$30k signing bonus

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5720867&forum_id=2#48906774)

* $300k base (but be willing to accept 295)

* Min bonus of $60k (20%) - Max bonus of $150k (discretionary- you can lobby this intensively once you're in the tent)

* See if you can get 401k up beyond 8%

* $50k signing bonus

I would also ask about base increases. Lockstep annually based on %? Discretionary?

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5720867&forum_id=2#48907706)

"That's a good Wageslut, take it deeper for Daddy"

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5720867&forum_id=2#48911542)

The most an employer and employee can contribute together for 2025 is $70,000 if the employee is under 50 or $77,500 if the employee is 50 or older. Subtracting the maximum employee contribution limit for 2024 gives us $46,500 if the employee is under 50 or $54,000 if the employee is 50 or older. That's the most the employer can contribute to a 401(k) account and the employer can't contribute more than the employee's salary."

https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/100314/does-my-employers-matching-contribution-count-towards-maximum-i-can-contribute-my-401k-plan.asp

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5720867&forum_id=2#48906814)

Employee can still contribute the other $45,000k+ poast tax and then do the MEGA BACKDOOR rollover to Roth IRA (IRS allows but not all plans allow in-service rollover to Roth IRA)

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5720867&forum_id=2#48907935)

Employee Contribution Limit

$23,000 per year (if you're under 50)

$30,500 per year (if you're 50 or older, including the $7,500 catch-up contribution)

Total Annual Contribution Limit (Employee + Employer)

$69,000 per year (if you're under 50)

$76,500 per year (if you're 50 or older, including catch-up)

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5720867&forum_id=2#48909798)

At bottom, I'm just throwing numbers out there, but I'm not desperate.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5720867&forum_id=2#48906804)

I almost never submit a cover letter. I haven't found it worth the extra effort, though it might be.

The other key is sending out many, many applications, soon after each job is posted.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5720867&forum_id=2#48906848)

IDK if they can go to 8% on 401(k). 6% is usually the highpoint and it may be something set plan-wide. But it's worth an ask. If they can't give you that, ask for more RSUs but they are pretty shitty IMO unless they vest relatively quickly. (Mine vest in equal tranches over 4 years which is very lame.)

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5720867&forum_id=2#48906829)

Do you think I should ask for more than $315k? That's "only" the middle of their posted range. I want to maximize the base, but I don't want to ask for so much that they don't enggage.

They already offered an 8% 401k match. I think it's standard for them for the level of this role.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5720867&forum_id=2#48906842)

For this one, it would be great to get above $300 base, but I don't want to overplay my hand.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5720867&forum_id=2#48906900)

The bonus percentage can be hard to negotiate because HR loves to keep everyone at the same percentage based on seniority. Unless this is C level or a smaller company

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5720867&forum_id=2#48906914)

The fact there’s no stock is weird, but maybe that’s how they are (or not a public company?).

You can ask for another $20k on salary and maybe you’d get $10. Asking for $30k more is a bit off putting. But do it if you want. Downside is that if they hire you, they may be thinking that you’re gonna be a squeaky wheel and you may start off on the wrong foot in your boss’s eyes.

Asking for a signing bonus is fine.

Asking for the higher bonus and 401(k) matches weird. The 401(k) match may be standardize the company and nobody thinks about that anyways. And the bonus is like a chump change in terms of what you’re asking them to add so I don’t know why you would bother.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5720867&forum_id=2#48906921)

I'm thinking it won't ask for higher bonus or 401k percentages (and i think the 401k percentage is set in stone). Because those are percentages of the base, they'll scale up with an increase in base.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5720867&forum_id=2#48906961)

General big company stuff

No

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5720867&forum_id=2#48907049)

You’re probably fine to make a small counter, but don’t come off as a pain in the ass.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5720867&forum_id=2#48909709)

The stories of people getting offers pulled are rough. Some negotiation is almost expected.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5720867&forum_id=2#48909731)

(1) She said the GC already approved the offer, he'll need to approve any changes, and he's unlikely to do so. Not sure if her saying that is a negotiation tactic or what.

(2) She said they reconsider salaries annually, and this year, someone with strong positive reviews could have received a 4% raise. To me, that said you better get your base as high as you can now, because it's not going up much from here. I already knew that was likely the case, but it was interesting to hear her say it.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5720867&forum_id=2#48909825)

And at this place, AGC is a pretty senior title. There aren't many attorneys above it. So, a promotion might be unlikely. That said, it seems like a good place to work and it's a solid offer. I hope they'll offer a little more and I can join.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5720867&forum_id=2#48909845)

The best negotiating tactic is signaling that you're willing to walk away. You can't really do that too strongly here because they surely have many other qualified candidates who would be quite happy to take the offer you're saying you'll walk away from.

There is a certain type of person who would enjoy this. For me, it's a pain, and I'll be glad when it's over.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5720867&forum_id=2#48909835)

"OH NO! WHAT IF I ASK FOR TOO MUCH PAY!?"

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5720867&forum_id=2#48911192)

If I want to make more money, I got out and get more cases.

I don't cower in fear that someone might "take away" my job if I ask to be properly compensated for the work that I complete.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5720867&forum_id=2#48911541)

Right, because a lawyer with over a decade of knowledge, talent, and relevant experience, should always show obsequious deference when begging for a new job.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5720867&forum_id=2#48911545)

I run my own business so I never have to "negotiate" how much I'm being paid for the service I provide for others.

Be a man and start your own firm.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5720867&forum_id=2#48923764)

Even without them increasing the offer, it's a step up in comp from my current role. And putting comp aside, there are other aspects of the new job i expect I'll like more.

Jobs that are a step up from my current one are hard to come by.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5720867&forum_id=2#48912013)

I presume that means they will give me something more, at least a signing bonus. I'm not sure why the GC (of this giant company) needed to weigh in on a request to move a potentially incoming AGC's salary up 11%.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5720867&forum_id=2#48919668)

Oh and meanwhile I control a large legal budget on outside counsel and can easily waste 50k without anyone even noticing

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5720867&forum_id=2#48923214)

Where do you want to go on vacation this year?

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5720867&forum_id=2#48923897)

Most likely this bump is hitting a rule related to pay at your level or they have to reopen a requisition and reprocess it. When you start you need to remember that you were basically a jerk to deal with (not saying you’re wrong), but everyone there is already annoyed by you.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5720867&forum_id=2#48923234)

i have always asked for 10% more than offered and so have the vast majority of people i've ever interviewed (assuming it wasn't already an offer at the top of the given pay range). nobody fucking cares, man

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5720867&forum_id=2#48923239)

$295k base

$59k bonus (i.e. 20%)

$23.6k 401k (i.e. 8% match)

$25k one-time signing bonus

I accepted.

It's disappointing that the offer was still well below the median of the posted range for the job ($270k-$360k base), never mind the top end. That seems pretty common for jobs I interviewed for this year: They'd list a posted range of $100k or so, then they'd say they're only going to offer something at the bottom of the range.

That aside, I'm happy to have the new job. It seems like a good team I'll be joining, it's a step up in comp from my current job, and it seems like a good work environment, to the extent such a thing exists at a big company in 2025. I'm excited to get going with them.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5720867&forum_id=2#48936412)