Salary negotiation

Never ever reveal your salary at the start of these interviews. If they ask for it, just say my expected salary is in this range. If it's out of budget, they won't get back to you. And you would have saved your time as well.

Once they proceed with the interviews, you also need to understand how ur interview is going. Do you have any leverage (on target experience, specialization, early availability, their need etc)

Once you understand your leverage, you can use that to justify your ask.

Don't be afraid to ask, if you don't, you will mostly undercut yourself.

But while asking, don't be arrogant. Be polite and respectful, say you want total comp to be this, which can be split as fixed + variable + joining bonus. And you need X amount of RSU/ESOPs etc. Justify your ask.

It they really like you and want you, they will come back with a reasonable offer

Would be awesome if the experienced and highly knowledgeable Grapevine folks released some sort of guide on how to navigate salary nego end to end. I suck so bad at it and am damn sure have left a lot of money on the table. 🥲

The last round would typically be the HR round, where they will ask for your expected salary. Quote somthing in the range which you think is the market standard + any premium you associate with the skills you bring to the table. Be ready to justify the number - this is the important part. Reason should not just be market standard. State your worth also based on responsibilties you have had. Do not show hesitation here but don't be arrogant either. If they ask if the number you quoted is negotiable, say yes.

If they like you, they will make an offer. It would not be rescinded just because you asked for something. After they make an offer, there is still scope for negotiation. You can inform the HR that you were expecting more. They will tell you upfront if it is negotiable or it is the last offer. The ball is in your court to accept or reject the offer.

From the other comment on joining bonus - do understand that it is a one time payout probably with the first month salary. Any future raise will be based on the CTC without the joining bonus. Unless specifically mentioned it will not get included in your next year's CTC - so if the hike% don't work out you might end up earning overall less next year. Personally i gun for a higher base than a joining bonus.

If there are still more rounds of interview, then try to apply for more roles. If not, still try to bluff saying you are in talks with other companies (if they know there's a possibility of you going away, they might budge). Convey that your initial company can get you any bonus/promotion in the near future (if that's true). If all of this doesn't work, try getting a joining bonus/retention bonus if you continue for more than 1yr/1.5 yr. Even if none of all this works, just ask for non financial benefits like more wfh days/more holidays or reimbursement to any course/certification you are interested in. If you are giving up anything in your previous company (be it due to reduced notice or year end bonus ask the company to give you that). To sum up:

1. Get a competing offer
2. Get other financial benefits
3. Get non financial benefits

Generally it's in 1L to 5L range