You're missing out if all you negotiate is money | Hacker News Reader

You're missing out if all you negotiate is money

14 pointsKareemAbukhadra10 comments

Here's a non-exhaustive list of all the other things you can negotiate:

- Performance-based compensation (commission, etc.)

- Ownership (equity)

- Days off

- Role title

- Travel, gym, and food stipends

- Timeline to promotion (contingent on certain success criteria)

- Role responsibilities

- Coaching opportunities with an exec on a topic of interest

And so much more…

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Equity is the only thing after wage comp that matters I'd argue, because end of the day all those other things are meaningless. When the business decides it is time to cut costs and people, your equity is the only thing shielding you. Equity will determine if its worth putting up with the BS/stress/etc. that could arise. If you're not in a position of significant equity (multiples of your wages you're comfortable with), then I'd argue it makes no sense unless you are okay making bad financial decisions when you could earn more to pay for those other things by going somewhere else.

You think days off (I'd go further and say standard working hours/days is sometimes negotiable) and actual job responsibilities are meaningless? I'd say they're usually a lot more meaningful than equity, which is literally nothing in the common case that the company doesn't have a positive exit event. When the business decides it's time to cut costs and people your equity isn't a shield (unless it comes with a board seat and majority voting rights) and the cost cutting is likely a hint that your equity isn't going to convert to cash either.

I agree there's not much point in negotiating travel stipends or gym memberships instead of the equivalent cash (except in edge cases where you're the top of a salary band corporate policy won't move on, but they'll pay for perks) but employee equity is also basically only an alternative to cash compensation you might get offered by richer employers, just in the form of a high risk illiquid investment which occasionally works out as much more than you could ever have earned in salary and is more often a decentish bonus years later or absolutely nothing.

They're important, but I'll consider those after my equity requirements are met.

Jobs are plenty. It is a choice and decision to take up a job.

Personally I'm not going to bother somewhere where I get unlimited vacation and no equity. Also, I'm not going to work somewhere with a bunch of equity, but then the following requirements aren't met.

I start from the top of the demands I have, and go from there. Meet each of my demands in order of importance, and we'll see about the next set of demands.

People do negotiate commissions, equity and bonuses but if these things aren't part of the package at all, the company isn't going to change their process just for you.

Other items on your list (travel, gym, food) are easily paid for with money and the absolute value is quite low so you're just overcomplicating the conversation for close to no benefit.

The coaching opportunities with an exec point sounds like something from a motivational instagram post. It seems really out of touch but that's just me.

So what's left - days off, title, earlier review, responsibilities?

Depends on the company (size, structure, etc.) whether any of those are negotiable, but certainly worth considering. Also, learning stipends for books, courses, conferences, etc. are useful.

Every thing on this list is BS except Equity .. and make sure you pay attention to the fine print. OP is probably an HR shill.

>>>Coaching opportunities with an exec on a topic of interest

In place of actual money? That is nuts. The sad thing is that several young people will fall for this.

Money and coaching are not mutually exclusive, I don't think OP is saying that you should give up money for coaching, but you should negotiate some coaching alongside the money as well

Interesting that an employee would think to negotiate for free gym. I always assumed that's something employer offered for their own good for healthier workforce and cheaper health insurance. Why negotiate for it rather than a extra 30$ a month?

Always equity.

But to add to your list of ideas: New one in remote work a WeWork membership or some sort of coworking office space membership just to get out of the house.

this is a thoughtful list, especially if you are early in your career. money is not everything, access+sponsor+mentors can get expedite your progress which ultimately translates into more money.

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