Today, I focused on negotiating a job offer I received from RWF, a company much closer to my home. Currently, I have a long commute of nearly two hours, which has been exhausting. The principal at RWF was very accommodating regarding my visa and after evaluating my skills, they extended an offer of $54,500. However, I felt it was important to present my current compensation package to negotiate a better salary. My current base salary is $56,600 for a 35-hour workweek, plus a performance-based bonus that can exceed $10,000. Additionally, my current role includes extra PTO and support for my architectural licensure, which is crucial for my career development. I expressed my excitement about the position at RWF and acknowledged that I would be moving to a 40-hour workweek with different benefits. I proposed a starting salary between $66,000 and $68,000, considering my experience and the overall compensation I would be leaving behind. I also inquired about the possibility of a sign-on bonus to offset the year-end bonus I would miss out on and asked if they could assist with my licensing exam fees and study materials. I’m feeling a mix of nerves and hope about this negotiation process.