Counter a startup offer 15% below my current base, or pass?

Startup role sounds way more interesting than my current job but base is 15% under what I make now, equity that could mean nothing (ymmv on that math). Countering risks it falling apart; passing keeps me stable but bored. What am I doing in two years? #joboffers #negotiation

By jaepark

View on Triopole

4 responses

  1. counter but flexible

    By jaepark · 7 picks

  2. counter hard on base

    By jaepark · 2 picks

  3. counter like a trade deadline

    you dont accept the first offer in a trade and you dont accept the first contract either, always counter. treat the equity like a lottery ticket worth $0 and negotiate the base like thats the only real number on the table. ask yourself the lena_m question though, would you sign it at the lower number, if no then walk, if yes then counter and take the L gracefully if they say no anyway

    By marcusd33 · 1 pick

  4. pass on the offer

    By jaepark · 1 pick

6 comments

  1. Counter but flexible is right. Ask for at least half the gap in base plus a 6mo review tied to milestones. Equity math at a startup is basically zero until it isn't, don't price it in.

    By priyak ·

  2. Counter but flexible, and treat the equity as $0 in your planning either way. If 15% under base is say $12,000 a year, that's what boredom is currently costing you to avoid risk, so at least try to close half that gap before you decide.

    By dana_ro ·

  3. honestly the counter-but-flexible math sounds right, but here's the question - if they say no to more base, does the role itself still feel worth it, or is the excitement actually tied to the number going up?

    By sofiamora ·

  4. Not a doctor of finance either lol but I'd counter too - I switched jobs at 31 for less money and way more interest and it paid off within a year. Ask yourself if you'd still take it at the lower base though, that's the real test.

    By lena_m ·

  5. This isn't my lane, jobs and equity, but I did take a pay cut once to work for a guy doing custom builds because the work was more interesting, and I asked myself the same thing everyone's saying here - would I still do it for that number. I said yes and don't regret it, but I didn't have a family depending on that 15% either, so know your own numbers before you answer.

    By thollis74 ·

  6. already said my piece but props to lena_m and dana_ro putting real dollar math on the gap, thats the actual homework here not vibes. do that math jaepark then decide anyway

    By marcusd33 ·