The Insider's Guide to Tech Compensation, Negotiation, and Career Growth

In this episode, I’m joined by my co-host Carly Malatskey, a former software engineer turned investor and podcast host of She Leads. We dive into a listener's question about multiple tech job offers, and compare three compensation packages. We break down tactics for negotiating comp while exploring how to pick a role that aligns with your superpower. Whether you're actively job hunting or looking to understand tech compensation better, this episode offers practical insights for making informed career decisions.
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Key topics:
Why chasing comp early hurts career growth
Comparing job offers
Breaking down key components of total comp
Ensuring you can exercise your shares
When and how to discuss salary expectations
Much more
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Referenced:
Tech compensation: Beyond the offer letter
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Where to find Carly:
LinkedIn
She Leads Podcast
Twitter/X
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Where to find Nikhyl:
Twitter/X
LinkedIn
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Find The Skip:
Website
Substack
YouTube
Spotify
Apple Podcasts
TikTok
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Don't forget to subscribe to The Skip to hear me coach you through timely career lessons. If you’re interested in joining me on a future call, send me a note on LinkedIn, Threads, or Twitter. You can also email me at [email protected]
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Timestamps
(00:00) Tactic for negotiating comp
(01:54) Unpacking the mailbag format
(03:09) Three job offers: which one should I take?
(06:02) Understanding bonus structures
(09:32) Why equity still matters today
(17:38) Breaking the equity exit trap
(25:29) Equity versus your market rate
(30:37) Don't chase comp early on
(34:12) Aligning the role to your superpower
(37:47) Negotiating comp: Start with what matters most
(47:30) When to discuss salary
(51:49) Problems with averaged comp
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theskip.substack.com