Negotiating Your AI/ML Job Offer

AI talent is in high demand. Use that leverage to negotiate effectively. ## Before Negotiating 1. **Get your market value**: Use Levels.fyi, Glassdoor, blind 2. **Get multiple offers**: Best leverage is competing offers 3. **Know your minimum**: What's your walk-away number? ## Negotiation Tactics **For Base Salary:** - Anchor high: "Based on my research, I was expecting $X" (15-20% above their offer) - Use competing offers: "Company Y offered $X" - Highlight unique skills: "My expertise in [domain] justifies premium" **For Equity:** - Understand the cap table: Ask about dilution - Negotiate % not dollar value - Ask for front-loaded vesting or acceleration **For Signing Bonus:** - Use to close gap: "Can we bridge the difference with signing bonus?" - First-year RSU cliff: Ask for bonus to cover ## What to Say "Thank you for the offer. I'm very excited about [company]. Based on my experience with [skill] and market research, I was hoping for [number]. Can we discuss adjusting [base/equity/bonus]?" ## Timing - Never negotiate via email first - get on a call - Don't accept immediately (even if great) - Give yourself 3-7 days to decide ## Common Mistakes - Accepting first offer - Only negotiating salary (equity matters more long-term) - Negotiating before you have written offer - Being aggressive instead of collaborative