I tell them the number up front. Because I'm not spending a week in their interview loop to find out they're going to offer me 30% less than my current job. Benefits are never a decider, and equity is a lottery ticket.
What's surprised me is that most of the younger coworkers I've had, having grown up largely through boom times, absolutely believe that this equity has tremendous value. I've had multiple younger coworkers talk about how excited they are to have so much equity in companies that have no visible path to a liquidity event.
I assume the mention of benefits was mostly a polite way to decline giving a number... It might also be more applicable in other industries/roles where benefits are more varied.
In either case, it never amounts to more than a $10K swing in comp. Same for vacation time.
Yes, it's a polite way to brush off the question. But the end result is the same. A job offer way lower than what you're making, and now they have $20K in a bucket to go a little higher when you try to negotiate.
Benefits are rarely a decider IMO. Unless you need certain health care or there is something terribly unusual. The only time in my career I considered a benefits package was for a University that offered 12% 401k matching up to 100% of your contributions.
The argument is “we have a competitive benefits package”. Yeah, so does everyone else.
I don't trust the ranges put into job listings. It may give you a ballpark idea of the range, but anything that looks even slightly attractive or above market is usually put there to attract resumes. The real number is worse.
I’ve been surprised by too many low ball job offers to spend much time in an interviews without a good idea the salary will work for me. Usually I find out through back channels or levels.fyi though.
crystal_revenge|13 days ago
What's surprised me is that most of the younger coworkers I've had, having grown up largely through boom times, absolutely believe that this equity has tremendous value. I've had multiple younger coworkers talk about how excited they are to have so much equity in companies that have no visible path to a liquidity event.
joezydeco|13 days ago
gertlex|13 days ago
joezydeco|13 days ago
Yes, it's a polite way to brush off the question. But the end result is the same. A job offer way lower than what you're making, and now they have $20K in a bucket to go a little higher when you try to negotiate.
SamuelAdams|12 days ago
The argument is “we have a competitive benefits package”. Yeah, so does everyone else.
danbrooks|13 days ago
joezydeco|13 days ago
onionisafruit|13 days ago