How to Negotiate Your First Engineering Offer

Start with the full picture

Before you counter, write down every component of the offer: base, equity, bonus, sign-on and benefits.

Anchor on data

Use salary reports for your role and city. A counter backed by numbers reads as reasonable, not greedy.

• Ask for the range the team budgeted
• Counter once, in writing
• Trade, don't just ask: a later start date for a higher sign-on

Close warmly

Thank the recruiter and confirm the details by email.