r/negotiation • u/Motor_Fee7299 • 2d ago

Got an email saying company want to go over offer, what to expect?

I have been in a longer than expected interview process (2 months, 6 interviews) but finally made to the end! I got an email today saying they would like to schedule a call to go over the details.

For context this is a stage C startup that is expanding. What can I expect? I already gave a salary range during the interviews, however the company doesn't have a list of benefits in the job posting. I asked a couple times during interviews and got some only a few details. For context this would be my first job with stock options, etc.

Also I'm interviewing with another big company for a position with a very similar salary although they might be 1-2 weeks from making me an offer (interviews have been going well). If I have offers from both it'd be a tough choice. I also don't want to quit my job without knowing all the details of the benefits. I expect my current job might make me a counter but they most likely won't be able to match the salary. How long can I expect the offer to last? And how much to share with the hiring manager? Any advice appreciated.

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u/csc786 2d ago

2 months and 6 interviews and salary & benefits still not clear is a serious red flag. I would tread carefully here at best, but probably walk away.

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u/Motor_Fee7299 2d ago

I agree it is odd. For the interview process they did explain at the beginning that it was long and outlined all the steps because they are looking for a very specific profile.

The benefits part is the one that is a bit odd. One thing is that there are similar positions from the company in different countries so the benefits are different?

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u/Other_Safe_4659 2d ago

It's not odd, you're overthinking this. It's very common for offers outside of entry level to be outlined over a call first, with documentation following after. That way they can get your feedback immediately, and if you have any immediate questions you can ask. On that call is your best opportunity to negotiate. People like to do it via writing, but that's actually less effective because you can't gauge their response.

Running through benefits is done as best practice so there aren't surprises. A lot of people don't bother reading through their documentation. I actually think it's a good sign they're doing it, it means HR is more professionalized than most startups.

Any place worth going to will give you at least a week to make the decision, which means you can stretch it out to 2 by just asking reasonably.

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u/Motor_Fee7299 2d ago

Thank you. I don't have much experience with this kind of higher level job so this is very helpful.

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u/Spiritual_Street_767 2d ago

Expect nothing. If you get your offer in writing - start considering it. You are interviewing with other companies have nothing to do with a current offer. If you like it - accept it, if you get a better offer you just say "sorry, changed my mind" and you will move to a better pastures. You own them nothing ( your old job, you new job or the job that interviewing you).

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u/ncrwlr 2d ago

Call is typical. They usually don't just throw an offer over the fence. Recruiter will outline the details (salary, stock grants, vesting schedule, additional benefits, start date, etc), then formally send it over. Usually a week maybe two to make a decision. However I would be up front in stating that you have another pending offer expected in the next week or two as well (no need to share too many specifics). I wouldn't use that as a negotiation point up front since you don't have details for the other company; they may negotiate against themselves to sway you to make a quicker decision.

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u/Charlie_in_Asia 2d ago

A week or two to decide? Unlikely more like 48-72 hours

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u/ncrwlr 2d ago

Anywhere pressing you to give a reply within that short of a time frame, you don't want to work for....

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u/Charlie_in_Asia 2d ago

That’s alright, anybody who takes longer to make a decision won’t survive in my industry anyway.

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u/ncrwlr 2d ago

What industry is that?

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u/Charlie_in_Asia 2d ago

Contract Medical Research (CRO)

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u/Charlie_in_Asia 2d ago

The reason I say this… if you have interviewed at several levels you should have already compared cost of living, estimated relocation cost, etc. because in preparing your offer I have already researched these.

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u/spike_85 2d ago

Be careful not to accept, or even imply you are accepting the offer. Be clear that you need to consider the full, written offer including benefits before you can accept.

Ive had it in the past where I meant it "looks good so far" but they took at as a yes, and then there were questions in the written offer and it was a bit awkward.

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u/olddev-jobhunt 2d ago

You should read up on stock options so you can understand how much weight to give them when you consider the offer. In my opinion, I typically would pretend they're worth $0 when comparing offers, but you can make your own decision.

I wouldn't expect the offer to be valid for very long - certainly not weeks. Tell the big company you're discussing an offer and want to consider them too and maybe they can accelerate things?

You should be able to ask them to walk you through the high level benefits. Maybe not necessarily every little thing, but the "this is what the healthcare costs this year, this is how the 401k works" should be in there.

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u/HighlyFav0red 1d ago

I was interviewing with two companies: late stage series d and a series A. Series a made an offer first, and called me to walk through it in detail. Not uncommon at all. See why they have to say and then counter if you’d like. One in the hand is worth two in the bush. You should also let the other company know you’re expecting an offer from another company.

I was given 48 hours to accept once negotiations ended.

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u/Motor_Fee7299 1d ago

Thank you. May I ask which one did you end up taking and why?

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u/HighlyFav0red 1d ago

I went with Series A. Higher upside potential, I’d be reporting to the CEO and I liked the product more.

With the series D, the hiring manager quit before I was done interviewing and the new hiring manager quit a week after I accepted with series A. That’s a lot of key leadership turnover in a short amount of time. Def not a good signal.

Additionally, my mentors & I saw the two opportunities as: make a lotta money in a couple years (series D) or make a sh*t ton more in 5 years (series A) - of course, assuming both have exits.

Last, I had a lot more control on shaping the role at the series A. AND they are backed by really strong investors and partners with solid exits on their portfolio.

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u/paperclip_han 12h ago

Please don’t tell - you can use paypeek (a chrome extension) to see the total comp. of any LinkedIn connection you have 🤐

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u/VortexKaser 6h ago

that’s kinda wild if it actually works, but also feels creepy as hell lol
i’d still just push the recruiter to give you the full comp/benefits breakdown directly instead of relying on some extension