- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message

Negotiating a signing bonus and making a counter offer
Posted on 6/4/15 at 9:17 am
Posted on 6/4/15 at 9:17 am
Following up on yesterday's thread where I got offered a new job, they are offering me a signing bonus to help with my relocation, the problem is that a moving truck and the gas for it going one way to Seattle is expensive as hell and will swallow up my entire signing bonus, and therefore won't cover hotels along the way to Seattle and in Seattle(Seattle hotels are expensive) and other relocating expenses like movers and a plane ticket.
Since I haven't signed the offer yet what is a good strategy to make a counter offer on the signing bonus so it can be enough to meet my expenses? I need about $1500 more than what is being offered.
Since I haven't signed the offer yet what is a good strategy to make a counter offer on the signing bonus so it can be enough to meet my expenses? I need about $1500 more than what is being offered.
Posted on 6/4/15 at 9:19 am to goldennugget
Yes, it is. Lay the math out for them...shouldn't be a problem.
Posted on 6/4/15 at 9:19 am to goldennugget
quote:
I need about $1500 more than what is being offered.
Tell them you need this much to, at a minimum, cover your expenses.
Posted on 6/4/15 at 9:20 am to goldennugget
It's rarely a good idea to argue discretionary compensation like that.
Not sure what percent of the current amount $1500 is, but it might not be harmful to show them how you calculated the cost to move and see if they will cover the gap. I stress might here.
Not sure what percent of the current amount $1500 is, but it might not be harmful to show them how you calculated the cost to move and see if they will cover the gap. I stress might here.
Posted on 6/4/15 at 9:20 am to goldennugget
Do your homework, create a detailed budget for the move, provide that budget to the company and ask if they can do more to help you relocate.
Eta: have reasonable expectations based on the position you are being hired for.
Eta: have reasonable expectations based on the position you are being hired for.
This post was edited on 6/4/15 at 9:22 am
Posted on 6/4/15 at 9:21 am to goldennugget
"My moving expenses are higher than the relocation fee offered to me. The price difference is around $1500. Could you please reconsider the addition of this fee into my signing bonus? Thank you and good day."
Posted on 6/4/15 at 9:22 am to LSUSilverfox
I'm sure you already have, but make sure that the net amount is what you think it is (after taxes, how is it taxed, etc).
There should be no expectation that the signing bonus is a break-even proposition, either. In my experience, relo is a separate bucket.
If they want you, and extra $1500 or even $3K is nothing as a one-time expense.
There should be no expectation that the signing bonus is a break-even proposition, either. In my experience, relo is a separate bucket.
If they want you, and extra $1500 or even $3K is nothing as a one-time expense.
Posted on 6/4/15 at 9:22 am to LSUSilverfox
quote:
Tell them you need this much to, at a minimum, cover your expenses.
Agreed. This is a very easy solution to your problem.
Posted on 6/4/15 at 9:22 am to upgrayedd
quote:
"My moving expenses are higher than the relocation fee offered to me. The price difference is around $1500. Could you please reconsider the addition of this fee into my signing bonus? Thank you and good day."
After careful consideration, we have rescinded your offer of employment, and gone with a more local alternative
Posted on 6/4/15 at 9:24 am to LSUfan20005
quote:That all really depends on what the job is, his potential value to the company and his value compared to the next available option for the job.
If they want you, and extra $1500 or even $3K is nothing as a one-time expense.
Posted on 6/4/15 at 9:24 am to goldennugget
(no message)
This post was edited on 9/23/24 at 10:54 am
Posted on 6/4/15 at 9:24 am to goldennugget
quote:
the problem is that a moving truck and the gas for it going one way to Seattle is expensive as hell
What about a Pod? Any chance you can sell off a bunch of your stuff and buy once in Seattle? You won't believe the amount of clutter and useless stuff is in your house until you move.
Posted on 6/4/15 at 9:24 am to GRTiger
quote:
Not sure what percent of the current amount $1500 is, but it might not be harmful to show them how you calculated the cost to move and see if they will cover the gap. I stress might here.
Well they keep making it a point that they want my move to be as easy as possible, so I would hope they would be open to assisting me more financially with the move
To get a UHAUL or Budget Rental Truck where I live one way to Seattle would cost $3000. Then the gas to drive it to Seattle would be about $600. If I pick up the truck in Omaha, NE instead its $1500 but thats 4 hours away.
Even with the Omaha option thats $2100 with the truck + gas to go to Seattle, that doesn't include hotels or an apartment deposit or paying for movers.
My plan is to drive out there with my car and stay in a hotel until I find an apartment, then fly back and do my apartment inspection/check out and load up the rentral truck with all my stuff.
All the expenses I have calculated is about $4000 to make this move. You do the math
Posted on 6/4/15 at 9:25 am to goldennugget
quote:
by goldennugget
Follow the Script of your Soul. There, you will find the answer.
Posted on 6/4/15 at 9:26 am to 12Pence
quote:
What about a Pod? Any chance you can sell off a bunch of your stuff and buy once in Seattle? You won't believe the amount of clutter and useless stuff is in your house until you move.
Because I live in somewhat of a rural area, this cost would be more expensive than getting a rental truck in Omaha.
Posted on 6/4/15 at 9:26 am to Shamalamadingdong
quote:
After careful consideration, we have rescinded your offer of employment, and gone with a more local alternative
Seriously, never, NEVER come out of your own pocket for a relo (unless the new salary is a fantastic raise after COLA).
This will create a long term rift that you will always remember.
Moving is one of the biggest changes you can make in life. You are away from family and support structure and take on a ton of risk. You could easily find yourself laid-off in a year in a new city with no support structure.
IMO, unless you are right out of school or desperate, you should MAKE money on a relo.
EDIT: Another variable is how much you want the new city. If you consider the move a quality of life improvement, that is a reason to come out of pocket a bit.
This post was edited on 6/4/15 at 9:28 am
Posted on 6/4/15 at 9:27 am to GrammarKnotsi
quote:
After careful consideration, we have rescinded your offer of employment, and gone with a more local alternative

Posted on 6/4/15 at 9:28 am to GrammarKnotsi
quote:
After careful consideration, we have rescinded your offer of employment, and gone with a more local alternative
The reason I don't see this happening is because the position has been open for 6 months now and they wanted to make sure they got the right person(me) so thats why I think I have some leverage here
Posted on 6/4/15 at 9:29 am to goldennugget
How many times have you changed jobs in the past year? Seems like a lot.
Don't ask for more money. Just take the amount you spend in moving as an adjustment to your gross income on your next tax return (side note: you have to work at the new location for at least 75% of the next year).
Don't ask for more money. Just take the amount you spend in moving as an adjustment to your gross income on your next tax return (side note: you have to work at the new location for at least 75% of the next year).
Back to top
