I don't even know how many interviews I've done in the last six months just to get an offer that doesn't even come close to my asking price. Why is it such a taboo to ask about pay right from the start? It would save both our and the company's time if we knew from the start that it's not a match. It makes no sense.
9 replies (most recent on top)
Be direct and succinct and the end of your 1st phone screen if you are still interested.
I am looking for a total annual compensation package of "X to Y". Research the market (RSUs, bonuses, etc..)
X should be what you will work for with everything you can think they will "count" as pay (bonuses, stock, RSU, 401k match, free chips, etc..) plus 10-20%. Y should be the most you think the employer will handle. (1 or 2 standard deviations above market)
Repeat you are interested in the position, but if this pay does not match their needs you understand. If they so no thank them for their time. I have saved so much time and energy using this technique that I can spend finding better opportunities.
Recently I have added that base pay is more valued by me in the package. (don't tell them) Multi-year deferred RSU packages are hard to reach in this market.
Ask what the pay range is right off the bat.
It would be highly, HIGHLY, unusual to get to the offer stage before talking about OTE range.... Either the screeners didn't do their job or this is a rare miss (or BS troll post.). And yes... as per the other comments in this thread VMware typically paid well on OTE + perks vs. the peer group so there is a reasonable probability that a comp job in a comp company may have a lower OTE + perks. Key is finding the right manager, in the right team/group, and the right company with a good blend of integrity and opportunity. Integrity + Opportunity and the rest is gravy...
The reason you're not getting offers with the same pay is because companies now have their pick of the litter since there are now many 10's of 1000's of people now out of work due to massive layoffs in the industry. Unless you so happen to be financially set then you really need to ask yourself some hard questions.
As others have said, if the BC deal goes through, there will be massive layoffs. And when that happens and you get laid off then you're going to be not only competing with the 1000's of already laid off people but also with the 1000's laid off at VMW. What position would you rather be in? Laid off with no income or at a job that pays less?
I made the decision early and took an offer that paid 20% less. I think I made the right decision and now work for a non-tech related job in a more stable industry. Just remember this: Even if you get a job that pays less you can always take your time and look for something else once you are there. As things are now you are running against a clock and that time is probably drawing near its end. Act accordingly. And good luck.
You won’t have this issue if you take the time to understand the market and set expectations at market rate.
In California, salary is listed in the job postings due to a new law. Most other locations around the world pay a bit less than Bay Area (very few exceptions)
That could also provide you with guidance. Not many companies pay as high a base salary as VMware. Some companies provide more RSUs and that makes their pay very high compared to VMware. However, their base cash component is usually very less compared to VMware.
Set realistic expectations and you’ll have more options.
4 years ago I was getting multiple interviews and job offers to choose from. I even got offers with a relocation allowance. I joined VMware 3 years ago. Now I am six months into my job hunt, hundreds of job applications later and barely any interviews. VMware is paying far higher than any of the other offers out there. Times have changed. I am going to take an offer for a role offering 20% less than my VMware compensation. Why? Because it is a job I will actually enjoy and will advance my career.
When BC completes, and have no fking doubt, there will be mass layoffs. Oh but we have these other roles you can apply for which is paying far less, but hey you are part of the BC machine now.
If you are VP or higher at VMW then they have the golden handcuffs. They are not worried in the slightest.
Unless you are on sh-t pay already, be expected to take a pay cut. How else are these greedy CEOs supposed to keep their huge bonus payouts?
That’s what you should be asking when the company recruiter asks if you have questions the first time you talk to them, but you can get more at times should you have a competing offer or to match current earnings. I interviewed with 3 places, got 3 offers and used them against each other to get a better package than I have here. Good luck and Godspeed.
They’ve always given me the range before I even had the first round of interviews.
The company I went too that was the first thing they told me. They said if you are interested here's the range. More companies should be like that.