Hi! So I had been interviewing for a startup and I finally heard back from them with an offer but the numbers are way below my expectations. I had quoted a 25% raise from my prev pay of 1.5 years —...

Welcome to Indian Startups's Private Community

Hi! So I had been interviewing for a startup and I finally heard back from them with an offer but the numbers are way below my expectations. I had quoted a 25% raise from my prev pay of 1.5 years — which I know from folks around would have been their budget for the role as well. 

But they have lowballed me offering me a 10% increase on my base pay + no ballpark on the variable bonus. Now I am confused about a few things 

1. They said they normally just offer a 10% hike on prev salary to all new joinees (which is a little shady to me bec I’m sure they had a budget of their own for each role) 

2. They are saying my year end bonus will be based on performance but are not even giving me a ballpark (bonus could be a 10K INR also and a month’s salary also. The range is huge) 

3. They are saying the reason they don’t offer market standard right on joining is because in the past even after rigorous rounds of interviews, they have seen poor performers in the team despite the good pay. 
(My question is: how is that my problem and not your hiring manager’s? Because you have been historically bad at setting up a good hiring process and judgment - is not MY PROBLEM. This just reeks of your low trust in me even before I have joined. And I don’t know if that’s a great thing) 


Final question: is this giving 🚩🚩? Please help me assess + also any other reccos on how to handle or negotiate this bec as much as the role is exciting to me, the numbers are just not pleasant

Shady Company Hiring Practice

Product Marketing Manager

Shady Company Hiring Practice- Grapevine

Welcome to Business Roles's Private Community

I have been interviewing for my next role and was interviewed by a well funded startup with high EBIDTA margins, great management but when it came to offer they offered me 10% to what I currently draw.  The CHRO stated that we are a startup and not a well established multinational firm who can pay well.  On the other hand the multi national company offered me 15% hike on my existing and their VP HR stated we are not some well funded startup who can pay well.  Now this makes me wonder who is actually paying well.  I have not shared my offers with either as it's against my negotiating principals to use offers against companies. .  I can negotiate based on my skills and talent.  It's a position of chief information security officer at the start up and Director Infosec at MNC.  Job profile is mostly same.

Offerd by Startup and a Multinational Healthcare company

Information Security

Welcome to Office Gossip's Private Community

So I currently don’t have a job. I am interviewing at some places . 2 years exp data engineer.
1st company - 16 base
2nd company (a big American bank/fintech) - 17 base

Now the thing is I want to join 2nd obviously because brand but I think I am being low balled considering it is not the lowest position. It is just 1 above.

What should I do? I have accepted the offer because I really didn’t want to lose it and the HR didn’t agree to increase it even after speaking to her for long.

Am I being lowballed?

Data engineer

Have been interviewing for roles and the HRs are low balling like crazy even though they most definitely have the money, talking about non-startups listed companies as well. Makes me think if offer shopping or editing a current offer with a higher number and then shopping is the only way to go

HRs low balling?

Founder’s Office

l attended an interview today and told my expectation is 24 LPA, but they said for my skills, they were expecting to give around 26 to 30 LPA.

Now they've asked me to think about the proper CTC and give it to them. I don't want to ask for 30 LPA either.

How can I revert back and how can I ask them for ~28 LPA now?

History: I've been leading teams and developing projects that were used by millions of people. Worked with startup's that were in rock bottom and bought them to a good position.

Finished college last year. But getting into full time for the first time. Been working as a freelancer/contractor for 5+ years.

Interviewer said I'm undervaluing myself, how much should l ask?

Software Engineer

Welcome to Product Managers's Private Community

I cleared all 6 rounds of a PM interview with an Edtech startup.  The HR asked for current offer letter, 2 references (current and previous manager), and a couple of other docs. 

Then ghosted me for 2 weeks. When I followed up, the HR said they are in-process of interviewing other candidates

Is it normal to do this now a days? 

I understand the company wants to interview more people. But then why ask for any details from me till you are sure that you are going to give an offer

Is it normal?

Product Manager

My current CTC is 8.1 Ipa and during interview rounds, I have asked for 15 LPA as that was the budget of the role. It's an MNC BANK. Not revealing the company. Now they are saying that only a 30% hike is possible because no one in the industry will give more than 30% of the current salary it seems. I asked what kind of logic is this as my skill sets are good and I have cleared all technical rounds. They say that's how it is. This is in hr discussion.

What to do in such a situation? How to ask?

My offer is based on my current salary but not skillset??!!!

Data Analyst

I recently encountered a situation while job hunting in the engineering field. I applied for a role in a company where I had limited experience with their specific projects. When asked about my salary expectations, I mentioned ₹XX lakh, which seemed to surprise them.

They offered ₹10 lakh less than my expectation. I countered by suggesting ₹XX-5 lakh, with a provision to increase to ₹XX after a six-month probation, contingent on performance. They rescinded the offer without any explanation.

I'm not upset about it, as it might have been a mismatch. However, the lack of communication was puzzling. The offer was made on Thursday at 4:00 PM, with a deadline of 12 noon Tuesday after a long weekend.

For context, I was applying for an intermediate project engineer position. I have 5 years of experience, mainly in wood structures, while this role involved steel structures. The initial offer was ₹8.5 lakh.

Did I handle the negotiation poorly, or did I avoid a potential issue? Insights from others who've faced similar situations would be appreciated.

Job offer rescinded after salary negotiation

I'll go first. I got a call for an APM role from one of the companies which did sound pretty sketchy and the recruiter was started bullying me into answering questions, when I asked to know more about the role. The recruiter was extremely unprofessional, and obviously the conversation was nowhere great. They however, did go ahead and sent me the JD and other links, etc to fill in and apply for the job. Mind you, I hadn't applied for the job. 🥲
It just was a pretty sour conversation which had left me in an uncertain situation. Any similar experiences?

Weird recruiter experiences

Asked for my expected CTC. I answered and they weren't happy with it. Said they could only give at 40% increment of current CTC and then asked for my current CTC. After hearing my current CTC they said I shouldn't be earning this much and that I was obviously making it up. Then asked to send over my salary payslip which I refused. Basically the HR started being extremely rude at this point stating that I was being unprofessional. I asked their salary budget for the role which they refused to answer. Then I asked if they were willing to hire me for a lower CTC which she instantly agreed and said she knew I was reasonable and I shouldn't have lied about my CTC. I then said good luck finding a candidate for that amount and hung up.

I am currently interviewing for a role that really excites me. The product and the problem excites me too. 

The option is to take a pay cut or go in on equity. 
How do I negotiate my way through this? 
What are the important questions to be asked? 
How do I ascertain that I am not cheated on with fair remuneration?

Early age startup Marketing role.

Growth Manager

Recruiter: Will call you asking basic details, without knowing anything about the job description and team involved. When you ask any questions, they are always coming back with information, sometimes they don't too

Actual project team: more often than not, in need and if they like you they will communicate very clearly that we want you. When asked about benefits etc general response or always HR will connect.


HR: comes during negotiation time, will not anything about the role, will come with sole purpose of saving some bucks on CTC. More often than not, they will be the reason a candidate withdraws from process, or negotiation doesn't work, even though the actual team might be okay with negotiation.

This is my experience, HR is giving such a vague offer which looks good on paper but on hand it's nothing in terms of growth and pay increase. Same old CTC vs gross salary shenanigans. When negotiating the HR thinks I'm not worth it and asks for proofs of every deduction from current employer.
This is such a stark difference from the Actual team who interviewed me and were very good and open.

HRs , Recruiters & Actual team are always on different tangents

Analyst

I have been interviewing at a startup.
Initially I told my expectations to be 38LPA
Later came to know, they pay much more.

Have cleared all the interviews, how can I negotiate for more salary?

Current compensation - 27LPA
Yoe - 6.5
Role: Senior frontend engineer

Salary negotiation! HELP!!

Welcome to Software Engineers's Private Community

I've recently got an offer from a Unicorn Startup, and they pay pretty well (My friends do work there) 
But I'm getting lowballed. They're offering only 50% of what they offer, and even after having so many calls, they're at max pushing it to 70%, which doesn't make sense to me. 
They are claiming my Current CTC & saying they can only offer a 30% hike. I don't even get that point. 
 I think ur new CTC shouldn't be based on your previous especially if you are already paying so much to others. Getting less than what my juniors are earning in the same position, baffles me. 

How do I move forward? I've clearly said that I'm only interested in this amount of money. At the same time, I feel it's better than what I make right now (not much better tho, because WFH vs WFO) I'm okayishhh with the work I do, but the brand name is also a valid concern (I do have a few brand names in my Resume, and that does actually impact) 

How do I push more? 
I've clearly told them that this is what you pay & they accept it but constantly raise my Current CTC as their brahmastra. Also, I don't like the tone she's talking with (repeatitvely making me feel inferior about current CTC & my less exp & all),  nor do I want to lose my temperament

Also one question, they've asked me for the Offer letter, and I have stupidly handed it to them. Is that a norm? What to do in that case next time? 
I already told them before interviewing how much base I'm expecting.. And they said it would depend on your interviews (where I'm a strong hire) & CTC. And now they're behaving weirdly. 

What to do!

How to negotiate?

Software Developer

The company I used to work for recently shut down and I just received my first offer from a sizeable unicorn. 

I am being massively low-balled (20% cut). And on top of it, it's an exploding offer. 

I have a couple of interviews lined up (they start after May 28th) but at the moment, this is the only offer I have. 

What should I do?

1. Hard negotiate? Leave the offer on the table if it doesn't work out. 

2. Soft negotiate. Get the offer. Interview with other companies and try to get a better offer before joining (feels wrong)

Things to consider:

- I have 10+ months runway
- Last cash comp was 24L at 2.5YOE

I'm leaning towards 1.

I'm being lowballed. What should I do?

Suffering from success. 24L base for <2.5 yoe was already high. And that’s the reason why u have so much runway. Good luck on whatever u decide.

I'm been on the lookout for a new job and the first question recruiters ask is if I have an offer in hand and what's my expected CTC. 

The next time, i get asked from a recruiter if I have an offer in hand, I want to say yes. Is there a way for them to verify if there's an offer or not other than asking you to send a copy of it ?

Negotiating a higher salary

Communication

I joined a new position 4 months ago
After I accepted the offer, multiple sources told me I had left about 6-7L on the table

Yesterday I was going through the company's job site, and the difference between the starting salary and my salary is about 11L

Dead inside would be an understatement 

What can I do? Do I speak with my manager? 
If you were a manager, what would you do?

They obviously hand-twisted me to pay less, but damn so much saved. 

Please don't ask company name

Salary help

Consultant

I'm in Founder's office role, and a part of the work requires prospecting for hires for a team. 
On the first day, I pulled out a list of potential hires, but it was brushed aside.

Now the team head posts on social media that they are looking for someone to fill that role (I had list for), and referral will get the approx INR 2.4L 

My monthly salary is also not INR 2.4L!

I am so pissed. 
How do I convey this professionally and (also ask for the slice of cake)

I obviously have data ready and can get someone to join, but it won't get me even 1 p from 2.4L

Need advice

Welcome to Ask Grapeviners's Private Community

Hi all, 

Recently put down my papers at a Financial Services Company. The management is after me to take back my paper and retain me. I gave a lot of thought on the current profile, pay and the same at new Co. before putting my papers but all of a sudden the rosy picture being presented to me is getting to my head
 I am really confused about what to do in such a situation. Further I am scared that once I am retained i might be ill treated and made a scapegoat out of if my team doesn’t perform.

Should I just stick to my guns and avoid any retention discussion or give it a meaningful and positive thought?

Need help. Recently put down my papers at an Indian Financial Services Company. The managers are after my life trying to retain

I have been working at my current company for about a year now. I joined the company with the understanding that I would be learning a lot and being paid less than market value. At that time, I didn't mind being paid less; I joined on 3.5 LPA in Bangalore. After that, in December, I got an appraisal, which put my CTC at 4.4 LPA. Since everyone on my team knows what I'm capable of, I asked for the hike.

I have been doing a lot of valuable work, such as automation, and I've filed patents as well in my final year project at my university. I have also been assigned all of the challenging tasks because my team knows that I am capable of handling them.

I recently asked my manager for a raise. I asked for a 100% raise, which would bring my salary close to 9 LPA. My manager said that he would consider my request, but he eventually came back with an offer of a first 15% and then 25% raise.

I believe that a 25% raise is still too low. I am looking for a job where I am paid what I am worth. I am confident that I can find a job that pays me 9 LPA or more.

I just wanted to know some second thoughts: am I doing something wrong in the negotiation, or should I approach it in a different way?

Not to denigrate others, but I know my teammates carry 2-3 years of experience, but I'm still the one coming up with new ideas and how to solve the problem, and I'm delivering it. Many times, my manager even said he always has higher expectations of me than others.

The excuse my manager is giving is that it doesn't matter; if you join on a higher package at some other place, you'll have to return the joining bonus here of 1 lakh (I'm leaving before 18 months, so), plus after paying taxes, the equation becomes equal, so he's suggesting to wait until December and then look for other options.

How to negotiate a pay raise (cybersecurity analyst)

Security Analyst

How to negotiate with an HR who committed me an higher number before starting the interviews

Now, all the interviews are done and feedback is extremely positive but now they are trying to low ball me. The numbers they are quoting me are way less than my expectations I told them in the beginning itself and HR also gave me rough numbers at that time which I agreed to

How do I negotiate when HR reverts on his initial numbers

I am looking for a switch to a startup from a Product Based company. My salary breakup was following - 
Base - 19.5 L
Bonus - 1L
RSU- 2.5 L per yr
SignOn- 1.5L 

In the startup, I asked for a 30% hike on my base. I assumed they will take care of the rest. But to my surprise, they have no such thing as ESOPs, Bonus etc. Then, what should be my fair ask in this case? As of now they are giving me 30% on my Base and that's it. (Fixed  ) . What do I do?

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