in the bay area, pretty much every offer ive gotten has some sort of signon bonus. Sometimes it was labeled as moving expenses. Ive been in a postition with o

in the bay area, pretty much every offer ive gotten has some sort of signon bonus. Sometimes it was labeled as moving expenses. Ive been in a postition with options at the previous company you need cash to exercise, or having to payback a previous signon for not making it a year. Or the equity in the new company has a cliff of the first year so it kinda covers that delay. I think the real reason is its easy to say 'your first year cash comp is XXXXXX' and hoping the candidate doesnt realize that second year is XXXXXX*75%.