3 ms·

IMO The game does operate differently for experienced developers. I'm not a negotiation expert either (even though ironically I am a founder of a recruiting sof

by agentgt 10y ago

IMO The game does operate differently for experienced developers. I'm not a negotiation expert either (even though ironically I am a founder of a recruiting software company) but I would say there is $100k line and a $255k line. Once you break $100k (ie experienced) then it becomes a challenge to break $255k. This of course just anecdotal and conversations I have had with others. Back when I was passively looking I too would just state the ole "don't won't to hear it unless it is above a certain amount" (and I too am +15 years developer). I would often state outrageous numbers like $250k (sadly that is no longer outrageous to me but it once was) and you would think that would scare off most but many would want to continue the conversation back and forth regardless if the company could pay or not (at times this was annoying).

mailshanx 10y ago
Can you talk a bit more about the 255k line? Besides senior engineers at the Big-5 (AppAmaGooBookSoft), what are the profiles of people at or close to the 255 line? Also, what happens once you cross the 255 line - do you hit another glass wall?
- agentgt 10y ago
  If you are not working at the big boys the secret to approaching $255k is ownership and bonuses (either through MBO and/or dividends). So I suppose it is not really raising your base salary. BTW it is probably not $255 anymore but I believe it (the line) is roughly caused by taxes and the average maximum pay for corporations. The average CEO typically only has a salary of or below ~$255K [1] (notice I said salary and not bonuses.). Consequently it is hard to rationalize paying another employee more than the CEO hence the line. To get in that position of asking for bonuses requires some serious leverage and internal knowledge of the company along with powerful negotiation skills. I somewhat got out of that headache by starting my own company (albeit it is always there directly/indirectly... selling yourself) so I can't give too much advice more than the article does already. I'm not sure what the wall is after $255k as it may just be an nice exponential curve (and again this is just anecdotal). [1]: http://chiefexecutive.net/how-much-does-the-average-ceo-really-earn/ http://chiefexecutive.net/how-much-does-the-average-ceo-real...

by agentgt 10y ago

mailshanx 10y ago

Can you talk a bit more about the 255k line? Besides senior engineers at the Big-5 (AppAmaGooBookSoft), what are the profiles of people at or close to the 255 line? Also, what happens once you cross the 255 line - do you hit another glass wall?

agentgt 10y ago
If you are not working at the big boys the secret to approaching $255k is ownership and bonuses (either through MBO and/or dividends). So I suppose it is not really raising your base salary. BTW it is probably not $255 anymore but I believe it (the line) is roughly caused by taxes and the average maximum pay for corporations. The average CEO typically only has a salary of or below ~$255K [1] (notice I said salary and not bonuses.). Consequently it is hard to rationalize paying another employee more than the CEO hence the line. To get in that position of asking for bonuses requires some serious leverage and internal knowledge of the company along with powerful negotiation skills. I somewhat got out of that headache by starting my own company (albeit it is always there directly/indirectly... selling yourself) so I can't give too much advice more than the article does already. I'm not sure what the wall is after $255k as it may just be an nice exponential curve (and again this is just anecdotal). [1]: http://chiefexecutive.net/how-much-does-the-average-ceo-really-earn/ http://chiefexecutive.net/how-much-does-the-average-ceo-real...