Ask HN: Negotiating Salary

I have recently finished interviews for Frontend dev role with a remote company and expect a decision from them by next week. During my first interview with the HR I set an expectation of $40 for my hourly rate. But during my subsequent interview with the CTO, he complained about my hourly rate and said that it was too high compared to your skillset and expertise. I deliberately pitch too high in the start so I can get away with a good deal later.

The interviews are over, right now it is not guaranteed they will go with me. But assuming they give me an offer, I have a feeling they will offer me some where around $30/hr (just this rate, no other compensation) for this position which I am happy to accept.

The question is, when they offer me with a lower rate how should I deal with the situation so that I don't loose the position and get away with the best deal?

P.S The company is US-based with a development team spread all across the globe. I am from South Asia and even $30/h is a very big deal.

This is the best single source of information on the topic: https://www.kalzumeus.com/2012/01/23/salary-negotiation/

I’d just read through that.

I would try to gently put them on the back foot when they offer a wage.

When you receive the offer, you should comment on the differential between expected and offered wage, even if you intend to accept. For example, you might say with a gently puzzled tone, "this is lower than what I would ideally be earning, based on my experience and capabilities. Can you explain how you came to this number?"

You may be able to push back on them a little bit. You will be able to tell if there's room to negotiate, based on the response to you. Don't overdo it, as simply commenting on the differential and seeing how they respond is a way of gently squeezing them. If it seems the number is negotiable, ask if they can compromise with (for example) $33. The art is in doing this in a confident and friendly way, so that the position doesn't collapse.

Whatever number you set as the price you want, don't waver on it after it escapes your lips. Let them consider the number unless it's clear there will be no budging. If possible, do some research on other roles or other engineers you know in the business, so that you can justify your ask. It's not your standard of living that sets the price, it's your alternative job and their alternative hire.

My 2c: never name the price first. If they undercut you, act extremely shocked. always ask for higher than you're willing to settle for.

Ask for things in the margins at the last minute. Another vacation day. An upgrade on some ergonomic equipment. Etc.

I have a similar question -

If I am applying for a remote position, is it justifiable to ask for the average salary of the country the company is incorporated at, even if living cost in current country is much cheaper? I know that some remote first companies (such as Gitlab) has a complex salary calculator which takes into account all sorts of things, while some companies (like oxide.computer) pays a flat compensation for any place on earth.