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

01/30/25 • 55 min

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:

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Where to find Nikhyl:

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Find The Skip:

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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

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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

–

Referenced:

Tech compensation: Beyond the offer letter

–

Where to find Carly:

–

Where to find Nikhyl:

–

Find The Skip:

–

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

Previous Episode

The Widening Tech Career Divide: Big vs Small Tech

In this episode, I’m joined by Carly Malatskey, an engineer-turned-investor and podcast host of She Leads. We dive into one of the most important career questions in tech today: Should you work in big tech or small tech, or found your own company? With the rise of AI and new economic conditions, these choices have never been more different. We break down how industry dynamics have changed, the tradeoffs associated with each path, and some exercises for determining the best fit for you.

Key topics:

How AI is reshaping the tech job market
The (under-appreciated) differences between big tech and small tech
How PM and engineering roles have changed
How to assess your potential as a founder
What your worries reveal about your ideal work environment

Referenced:

Carly’s podcast: https://www.sheleadspod.com/
Ready to start a startup?: https://www.skip.show/ready-to-start-a-startup-shreyas-doshi-former-pm-leader-at-stripe-twitter-google/

Where to find Carly:

Where to find Nikhyl:

Where to find The Skip:

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.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Teaser: Big tech vs small tech: Should you do both?

(00:35) Intro

(03:15) Why this discussion matters

(05:06) The biggest change in tech during 2024

(08:20) Why everyone should consider being a founder

(10:14) How to assess your potential as a founder

(14:44) How PM & engineering changed in 2024

(23:06) The all-important differences between big and small tech

(28:55) Assessing your fit for big vs small tech

(36:18) The challenges and benefits of working at both scales

(42:31) Do the best PMs work in big tech?

(52:17) Who this advice doesn't apply to

(54:56) Key takeaways

(56:33) Get in touch with Nikhyl

Next Episode

Should you Stay or Go? A 5-factor framework for career-defining decisions

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 tackle a listener’s question about whether to stay in their current job or take a new one. Using a 5-factor framework, we break down how to evaluate career decisions based on compensation, skills, lifestyle, long-term success, and work environment. Whether you’re considering a career move now or just want a structured way to assess future opportunities, this episode offers a practical guide to making confident job decisions.

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Key topics: