Tips for negotiating your salary (from an ex-FAANG recruiter)

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Thank you to Sarah for being on Muko's Corner! You can catch the full livestream recording by becoming a member today: • How to Negotiate Your ... The podcast version of Muko's Corner is in the works, so stay tuned!
Muko's Corner is a show about becoming a better version of yourself for your life and your tech career. I'll have guests on the show to share their thoughts and expertise on various topics around navigating a career in technology and leading a life that feels more You, through discussions around mental health, cultural identity, and more.
Sarah is the Lead Negotiator at Levels.fyi. Her goal is to help people make better career decisions and negotiate a salary they deserve. She's a former tech recruiter at Amazon, Facebook, and Google.
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🔖c h a p t e r s 🔖
00:00​​ - Intro
2:05​ - "What are your salary expectations?"
4:05 - Don't give them your number
5:29 - When to start talking numbers
7:05 - Do your research
8:37 - What's the best format for this conversation?
11:44 - Final Thoughts
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Mayuko Inoue is a content creator and Software Engineer. After working in Silicon Valley tech companies like Intuit, Patreon, and Netflix for six years as an iOS Engineer, she became a full-time creator in 2020. Her work aims to help people find their way through the tech industry by sharing her own experiences navigating this world through technology, career advice, and lifestyle videos. She is passionate about discussions around mental health, cultural identity, and creating technology with empathy and compassion.
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[@hellomayuko]

Thanks all for watching! Make sure to check out the other video about salary negotiations here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l2mnoaetfqiSg7M And stay tuned for future Muko's Corner livestreams, happening right here on my channel! Also thanks again to Skillshare for sponsoring. The first 1000 people to use the link will get a free trial of Skillshare Premium Membership: skl.sh/mayuko03211

[@muhamadrafipamungkas4465]

Can we talk about remote overseas developer salary?

[@shortaflip]

What are your thoughts on salaries when getting promoted and if you aren't exactly sure how much an engineer of a specific level makes at that company?

[@MatrixJockey]

where did you purchase the sweatshirt?

[@lohitakshtrehan6379]

Best salary negotiation video. Period

[@aaryananand3180]

@Do Din; .o

[@GuRuGeorge03]

Something that I have experienced myself is that when u give a range, they will always offer u exactly the bottom of the range. So what I started doing is giving a range where the lowest number is a number that I would be really happy with. That way they think they make a bargain for signing me at the bottom of the range, but in reality that is already my dream salary.

[@bruce.lee.]

Spot on!

[@thatsagoodone8283]

Underrated and works.

[@rahathasan819]

Not if the minimum of your range is higher than their maximum.

[@pranavchopra_0075]

that sounds good on paper but saying a too high of a range can be seen as counter productive and arrogant especially if they u r just starting out

[@lars_rosenberg]

I learned this tip from the book "Never Split the Difference", I recommend it to anyone who is interested in negotiation.

[@alankhoo123]

2:32 Do not give the number 4:42 compensation range 6:13 Start talking numbers 8:50 Using email to negotiate Just time stamps for personal

[@miitter]

Thanks

[@omarkiller2222]

9:00 MOLEST THE INTERVIEWER SO SHE LIKES YOU MORE

[@parler8698]

Bless you

[@cbingu]

Thank you, Mayuko & Sarah for sharing this valuable info. After 15 years in the tech industry, i still don't know how to negotiate my salary properly and i just cleared the final interview on a new job. Will use these techniques to negotiate my compensation package.

[@ognjenjevremovic]

Thank you so much for this wonderful video. It is super helpful! The questions you discussed during the call with Sarah and all the tips and tricks you have shared with us that might help in the negotiation phase were spot on. All the little details and nuances Sarah shared on how to negotiate and never show our cards first, while answering all of the question really thoroughly, were very informative. I very much appreciate everything that you both have shared in such a short video. Super helpful and very informative!

[@GrowWithWill]

Great content - perfectly timed as well to age for when lots of internships are coming up in a few months for students 😊

[@teohyc]

The only reason why recruiters ask for your expected salary is so that they can save money. Companies know exactly how much budget they have for hiring. If you quote a number lower than the company, the company saves money. If you quote higher, company negotiates down. Company wins either way, but you don't win if you give them your expected salary.

[@SHONSL]

Great summary, thanks!

[@CodingNuggets]

These are some awesome tips when interviewing. I didn't know about the state thing like others. That wording for the compensation band I've never used it before. Really appreciate this content. Much respect. See you soon!

[@BundyFly]

These recruiter videos are great! I've watched them multiple times and taken notes to reference in actual interviews. Thank you for making these!

[@YourAverageTechBro]

Wow, this is awesome content! Love the subtlety of how you respond when a recruiter gives you a certain pay range. I’ve definitely jumped the gun and said “yeah that sounds great” and got severely undervalued before, but you live and you learn 🙃

[@ashleypean]

Got this video notification 10 mins after I got my first paid internship offer! Thanks for providing access to this info. You've helped me a lot in my engineering journey

[@diarui9028]

thank you so much for sharing this!!! I'm currently in the job hunting process and just made the mistake of giving away my lowest expectation, which ended up being the number of the offer... now I'm feeling much prepared for this

[@alejandrotoledofreire6333]

Great video! I am finishing a Full Stack Developer program and this topic comes to me like gold. Thank you for this video Mayuko!

[@bannoxxx]

Hi Mayuko, I just wanted to say thank you for making this video. It's very helpful!! I had an interview today and they offered me the job. I managed to negotiate a better salary and I honestly wouldn't have been able to or felt confident enough to do so if I hadn't have watched your video yesterday.

[@lilianrose2563]

Where are u from

[@Nomadsou]

Wow happy for you girl!😝

[@ec4991]

You go girl!!

[@maestroadam]

It’s smart to ask about the structure as a way of deflecting the hard number expectation. Ask about commission, bonus, long term or short term incentive, overtime, etc.

[@InsideCorporatePlaybook]

If you don't want to lose potentially tens of thousands of dollars, just take time to process the compensation package and don't give a range when u talk to the recruiter. Imply you are open to offers and see what they put in writing. Cool tips from Sarah. I agree with her.

[@garrettchun4986]

This was the most worthwhile 12 minutes ever!! Love the book and movie analogy - I'd always heard that it was best to do these conversations over phone or in person but I'm much more comfortable collecting my thoughts and then communicating clearly over email :D

[@StreetsAhead120]

Yo Mayuko, I needed this so bad!

[@robertshaw4990]

Thank you so much for putting the music in the description!

[@arjayarjay8856]

Thanks Sarah and Mayuko for making this video !! It is so informative.

[@cathy3007]

I like the suggestion of flipping the question back and asking for a range that they're willing to pay or have budget for. But in a lot of interviews I have been through especially for a career transition into something different (i.e. finance to creative), they need to know your range to see if it's worth everyone's time continuing with the interview. I'd say do your research and consider their range, know the number that you want to be paid, and give them a range with that number at the bottom. Ex: if they state that the role pays approx $50-55k you can state your range as $65-$70k but open to negotiation if you really want the job and it is a stepping stone to a job you want.

[@jhanlec]

There is a lot of amazing info here, thanks for sharing it! I am a mid-40s biotech professional in the Bay Area and even after 10+ years in biotech I still have no clue if I have sold myself short and after seeing this, I am certain I have. Next time I look for a new role I will have to print out these suggestions in huge bold font and plaster them around my home-office.

[@seyitanoke]

SUCH A USEFUL VIDEO! So plain. demystifying and informative!. Thanks Mayuko

[@therealestnoah]

This is so helpful! Thank you for the tips❤️

[@pavelshebalkou1542]

The content is pure gem, thanks for the great video

[@sandramdy9258]

I really appreciate this videos on the small tips on each step. Vey helpful !

[@luckytraderchow]

Best salary negotiation video ever seen, very helpful! Thank you!

[@RRlifer85]

Such great content! Just received a call from a Meta recruiter after just watching this video last night, and used the recommended question verbatim! Amazing how that worked so smoothly!! Thanks for sharing this!

[@kayteeflick]

Rewatching these videos to help negotiate my offer from Microsoft!! Thanks Mayuko for this super helpful content!

[@dkaps8]

Thank you for this great vid Mayuko : ) i'm def going to use the "not showing my hands" strategy til the very last lol

[@StefanoCreatini]

Solid information! Thank you for making this video!

[@mccallionr]

Wow, fantastic information!!! Amazing questions AND answers!

[@igorsmet1123]

This is really good, thank you for the content.

[@h1th3r3]

Never clicked on something so fast lol. edit: Also, this info is priceless. Thanks so much for sharing!

[@pet4g]

This is great, thanks! Wish this was around many many years ago. Good stuff!

[@erich7861]

I know the conversation is revolving around tech and in the bay area but wow...those theoretical numbers sound so insane to an outsider. "Lets say you asked for 230k, but they were actually going to offer you 300k." I literally cant imagine a salary that high.

[@Kefkiruja]

This is an ex-FAANG recruiter so the numbers are much higher than most would realistically achieve.

[@JerryLuo62]

230k is pretty standard for 3-5 years of experience, 300k is definitely possible with negotiation

[@hammypants]

ON THE COAST

[@elfamelia]

Also keep in mind that those $'s are total compensation. That's paycheck salary + stock grants (RSUs) + extras. Those stock grants can be more than your paycheck salary, but they also take 4 years to vest. So there's a ramp up period. What she's really saying is "if I work here for 4 years, I expect to be taking home $230k in stock+paycheck." And each year your bonus tops up those stock awards, and you've got a reason to stick around for the next 4 years.

[@Kefkiruja]

@@elfamelia yeah that definitely changes things up then. There definitely needs to be a standard way to compare average annual compensation since companies vary with RSUs. If it was legit pocketing 300k per year including anything that vested that’s way different.

[@ericdavid890]

Dope! Should've listened to this before my interview!!!

[@Justin-cn3qu]

Points: Call 1: Hey I haven't given it enough thought to make a decision. Can I take time to figure it out? Call 2: What's the compensation structure? Could you just share the number with me first? Culture, Compensation philosophy, what they want out of the role, what is bonus structure, any other bonuses, Perks and benefits. If they don't have bonuses, talk about inflation and use that as leverage against them. Use email instead of phone conversations.

[@Amanda-10702]

Thanks!

[@Justin-cn3qu]

@@Amanda-10702 And thanks to you too.

[@riqeun]

Even I don't live in the USA, is interesting to know about this 'cuz is good advice when you got a job interview and have similar questions about this. Thank you Mayukoo! ILY ur videos a lot and GL with future videos! uwu greetings from Sori

[@apollossevere8602]

First of all ... Thank you for this!!! And I definitely need to grab that hoodie you’re wearing, so dope!

[@soultribe9]

Thank you so much Mayuko, this is really useful

[@hooperchheang8534]

Wow! this is really helpful tips! thanks

[@miguelmorell4114]

This was very informative 🙌🏽

[@sarah.marco888]

This is so helpful. I just finished a first interview and they actually asked questions about my expected salary. I have a second interview and this better equips me 😊

[@anthonybrown3828]

These were great talking points. Thank you!

[@jeffliu9227]

With this wonderful video, I learn a lot about salary negotiation. Thanks!

[@htoo-dev]

This is really helpful and insightful. Thanks

[@PaulliMr]

This is very very helpful, thanks!

[@ZoeCayetano22]

These are so informative! Great adivce!

[@nicolasguillenc]

This is so useful, thank you, regards!

[@processorbot8761]

ty mayuko :D!! super helpful

[@miguelbarajas9892]

Helpful video. Thanks Mayuko

[@irvagui]

Thank you for this video!

[@ferdowsraid6084]

Thank you so much, amazing video and valuable information.

[@PlanALiving]

Thanks Mayuko! Love your content and you inspired me to start coding boot camp at Hackbright. Hope I get the 'code' hoodie soon and will wear it in class haha. Love from SF 😍

[@sethguythewizard]

hey i just tried one of your tips and it worked , thanks

[@Localflavorzz]

Loved this! Ty!

[@jeuel-in-japan]

Thank you for this video, Mayuko! As always, you keep on providing us (your loyal viewers) healthy details in tech career. 😊

[@julissadc6303]

thanks for making this video, hopefully I'll put it in practice

[@FoCodes]

Yup! This is all such great advice 🎉 Dont give a number as loooong as possible to keep your value high! Usually when I do this I’m soooo nervous I get as stomach ache but pushing through is ALWAYS worth it

[@JamesJones-zz6mr]

Best video so far! I have reviewed hundreds in preparation.

[@faruzzy]

Can you please make a video on your experience getting hired at Netflix, how you went about negotiating compensation and maybe touch on the interview process? Thanks

[@tinaaaaw]

Wow I didn't know we (I live in one of the states) are allowed to know the minimum compensation for a role :o. Thanks for this!

[@lanl5793]

Thank you so much for sharing! I have an offer call 15 min later, and I feel more confident right now

[@rafmadrigal]

Very relevant Mayuko!! I love the content Can we expect a session where Sarah discusses how to manage the "push-pull" in salary negotiations? E.g. Recruiter gives an offer, you make a counteroffer, then the recruiter gives another offer. Should we accept or reject?

[@profbfc]

Exactly, how long do you even push? And what about freshers and people with 1-2 yrs experience- should they negotiate the same way as mentioned in the video?

[@FawxTraught]

It's best to be well informed for the position in advanced and ask for the higher end. That sets an anchor from which you can negotiate.

[@niharikapatil902]

THIS IS THE PERFECT VIDEO! Mayuko you are a queen!! I would LOVE to see you in person. Following you for 3 years now

[@elizabeth4689]

these videos are gold!

[@soneshengg]

Just FYI : Your recent videos has some weird sound issues like voice breaking up.

[@sofii515]

Thank you very much for this valuable information . I had no idea about the discussion for salary compensation. Going to deal with HR first time . Respect from my side for this valuable information. Thanks

[@zahraamin164]

Super helpful, thank you

[@siddarthrock]

Thanksss so much! amazing!

[@Evan-iq8hd]

Not sure if it happens in the US but down here in Australia the recruiter always asks what your current salary is. Followed by what your expected salary is. What I found that works is to always add 20-30% to what you actually get paid and tell them that. And 50% on top of your ACTUAL current salary for asking salary.

[@SEIMYUNGVACTRONCOLTD]

Wow,...this is just too good. Thank you guys for your good advice.

[@teddybaby1106]

Thank you soooo much! I’ve been getting so underpaid, this helps so much bc I feel guilty asking for money

[@GeorgiATVBulgaria]

This is good advice assuming one of the sides always gives in. You are pushing it so much without any employer holding position. I have been in interviews that go like this (E - employer, C - Candidate) simplified a bit: E - what is your salary expectation? C - what do you propose? E - we are not at liberty to discuss our salary ranges as this is company policy. E - so what is it that you expect in order to see if we can accommodate it. From one point employer does not want to disclose salaries, and tries to hold onto that for a number of valid reasons. On the other side is the candidate that shouldn't give in as well. So what I mean is, while this is a good way to negotiate it doesn't hit the walls that most often people experience. How do you tackle something like that?

[@danceartist8203]

"It is against my negotiation policy to disclose my salary expectations at this point during the interview process"

[@tam6011]

Walk away

[@AjasAura]

@@tam6011 I agree lol. That’s not the type of people you want to work with anyways. What’s the big secret lol?

[@pawemalinowski4838]

Thanks! great info.. I will use it soon ;)

[@theamethyst93]

Amazing content!

[@reigen.]

Thank you for this ! : )

[@nine4400]

Super insightful video. I took notes. 📝

[@holdingspace]

Applied for a role and they needed global approval before getting to a number on my offer. Brought in an offer about 20% above the high range of their hiring band. I think having a competing offer is really the best way to push that number up. Use a job you might not be into, especially from a competitor, to put the fear of missing out on the recruiter.

[@DruDilly]

This is SUPER HELPFUL!!!!

[@ellisjason333]

Thank you for sharing

[@joshlyman8001]

I've definitely had a different experience in some of my research. I've heard from recruiters directly that they don't like working with potential hires who won't at least give a range of expected salary for the role. They don't want to put in all the interview effort and then be miles apart from what you expected in the end.

[@DanI-mj4pq]

'They don't want to put in all the interview effort and then be miles apart from what you expected in the end.' that's what devs go through and people are getting tired of it.

[@Cassp0nk]

So then they need to find budget for role. These recruiters are low end bucket shop trying to churn.

[@tylerjodeblock1224]

on the contrary, If this is the case with some companiies, perhaps ask yourself if this potential conundrum would separate an average company from a great company to work for. I could be wrong but I would think the best companies to work for are interested in getting the best talent pool and will have their focus on speaking with the best candidates regardless of the unknowns of an expected salary range. To me if a really strong resume comes in and that company is not willing to put in the interview effort based on an uncertain salary expectation is setting themselves up to miss out on getting the best candidates. Overtime, that type lack of interview effort will lead to building a team of mediocrity. So if you think of this from that perspective, may not be the best for your career goals.

[@bodrulm1]

Why don't you just ask "what's your budget for this role?" then if it meets your salary expectation, say you are happy that range is competitive but would like to discuss the pay structure in more detail at another time.

[@alexp8924]

Being a hiring director (in UK) and knowing lots of hiring managers and directors in FANG and big corporate here are my 5 cents: we are not looking to pay you less than people who already work for us with similar skill set (thats unethical and borderline illegal), we are not going to pay you more (or less) than our band for the role you are applying. What this means is: (1) our recruiters will be happy to give you a band for the role or ask for your expectations (2) based on the interview you might get offer for more or less money depending on what sub-band we think you land on. It doesn't really matter that much what you initially asked for. Note: that this applies to giant companies who care about their reputation.

[@BrianRussell]

Yes, that's definitely the professional approach. Where you are in the sub band then also allows a discussion around progression opportunities and what development would be required.

[@BonesTormAxeso]

Excuse me, what does the term 'band' mean in this context? I still dont get it and I am confused about it, I would appreciate it if you can explain it please, thank you!!

[@Jonalmar]

​@@BonesTormAxeso Think of it as a pay range. All the salaries they are willing to pay for that position will be inside that band.

[@UmarO]

in contractor companies who hire employees they are always trying to maximize their cut the pie

[@Akshatgiri]

Interesting. Thanks for sharing

[@SaveTheManuals]

Really interesting conversation, thank you for sharing. Curious how these compensation ranges translate to non-FAANG companies headquartered in "fly over" states?

[@AwesomeotasticGaming]

thanks for the captions

[@KaroCodes]

Withholding your salary figure expectation from a recruiter is such a good idea! I wish I saw this video earlier in my career 😍 This question always made me super uncomfortable and then I would always undervalue myself 😬

[@sergejsvisockis]

Not all companies and not all recruiters follow this negotiation process. I think the best is to move forward as it will be more convenient at that particular time due to particular circumstances.

[@blasm1713]

Good to see Coder Coder keeps uploading content

[@ghoon2973]

so so helpful. Sarah is super cool!

[@antoeasysweden]

Interesting video! Can you please talk about how to negotiate your salary after a few years of experience as a software engineer within the same company? Seems like that's even trickier at least in my case. Thanks and keep up the good work :)

[@cius2112]

Yeah dont do that. Generally what you want to do is post for a better paying position either within the company or somewhere else. Then get at least a year or more at the new position and then parlay that experience into another position that pays more money and so on. For example in the mortgage industry you might start as a support loan processor, then you might get a position of being a full loan processor, then maybe a senior loan processor, and then maybe an underwriter and then senior and so on. and don't be afraid to go sideways to the same position if either it pays more or the company is a better fit for you. even companies that value their employees don't want you to just stay in the same position they are gonna put you on a career track that has you learning new skills in different positions that will also lead to promotions.

[@Fanya_valentine]

Agree, I would love to learn how to negotiate salary at existing position. I know the norm is to switch after 2-3 years but I really enjoy the type of work I currently do, my coworker, and all the benefits that came along with the salary so I don't really want to move even if I can get much more money....but I definitely don't want to be penalized for staying in the company so to speak.

[@cp3onmtv963]

@@Fanya_valentine I feel the same. There has to be a middle ground!

[@Lodinn]

@@Fanya_valentine It's actually crazy. Cross-pollinating and getting diverse experiences is all nice and well but soon as you are just a step away from a bogstandard IT company and might need a month or few just to get acquainted with the subject area, swapping jobs every 2-3 years starts sounding insane.

[@helixlee9778]

great content!

[@calemadrian9512]

Really helpful video

[@lesaztec5]

Great content!

[@whattowatchrightnow]

Hey. Nice content. Good job.

[@metaocloudstudio2221]

This is very important , I was at the last step interview with Google last year, and just missed the position since my offer was not negotiating well.

[@nnmartin94]

My last interview where I got the job "Hey we like you, we don't have much money right now will you take 75k?" "I was hoping more for 100k range actually" "Absolute best we can swing is 90k, at a stretch" "I will take 90k" Done.

[@maksimmikheev5896]

Just saying, they always can pay more :)

[@nhbilly]

Be content, I recall chasing the greener grass on the other side of the fence and realized.

[@jolp9799]

@@nhbilly why would u settle for what u know is less than what youre worth? there's always another company

[@lordblazer]

mines was willing to meet me in the middle of my salary range I gave them. Which was great. since my minimum was the actual number..

[@Terracraft321]

Very informative