This note is a set of tactics for salary negotiation in tech interviews. It starts with mindset. An interview is a fair exchange, and salary is only one part of the value bundle, next to learning, mentors, culture, and career path. It then walks through timing and leverage. Salary comes last, and the first side to name a number gives up ground. Negotiation really begins once you have an offer, and the note covers low offers, offers above expectation, and who actually decides the number. A short section on the interview itself covers the CV, questions to ask, punctuality, and honesty. The closing point is simple. Real ability that matches what the company needs is what makes the rest work.
Mindset for Interviews and Salary Negotiation
- It is not "asking for a job": It's a fair exchange - you rent out your skills and receive salary, opportunities, and benefits in return
- Salary is a bundle of value:
- The monthly amount you receive
- Opportunities to learn and grow professionally
- Opportunities to develop your abilities (onsite, international colleagues, workshops, technical support)
- The career advancement path
- Finding good mentors and good friends
- Company culture
- The chance to stay for the long haul
Salary Is the Last Topic
- Steer to another topic when asked about salary
- "Salary is the last thing I'll discuss" - after everything else is cleared up
- Employers appreciate this
Don't Name a Number First
- Whoever names a number first loses negotiating leverage
- Steer toward technical matters and ask for their number
- If you're forced to: Give a range, starting from your expectation
- Example: "For this position and my abilities, it would be in the range of 30-37 million VND"
- Key phrase: "offers from a few other companies" - which means you need to interview at many places
Negotiation Starts When You Have an Offer
- All the earlier interviews set the stage for the salary negotiation
- If the offer is low: Accept a probation period and renegotiate after 2-6 months, or take salary + commission/equity
- If the offer is higher than expected: You can still keep negotiating upward
- Guiding principle: If you ask, you may not get it; if you don't ask, you definitely won't
Understand the Rules of the Game
- The salary decision-maker may be the interviewer, a superior, HR, or a committee
- Usual process: Technical interview → scoring → propose the maximum level → HR writes up a justification to bring it down
- Try to close the offer during the interview: Be proactive
- If negotiating by phone: "This offer is quite attractive; I'll get back to you within 3 days at most"
- Meeting a C-level: Negotiation is easier, and they close on the spot
The Interview
- CV: No typos; show 3 things: what you did, what you learned, and the difficulties you faced and how you solved them
- Prepare questions: Expertise, policies, culture, people, direction
- Punctuality and demeanor: Discipline matters a lot
- Say only what you know: Don't bluff; if you don't know, say so honestly
The Core
- You must have real ability, exactly what the company needs, and show it to them
See also: Job Applications · IT Job Interview Notes · Interview Questions