T2 Offer Negotiation Advice

Hi there, 

Let's start with - Congrats!! Super happy to hear you landed an offer!

Now, let's get to your question:

1. T2 and MBB firms tend to have fixed base salaries based on Region (country of office) + Role --> i.e., yes, it is sort of the "industry norm" as you framed it.

- That being said, T2 firms do tend to be slightly more flexible in terms of creating exceptions for base salaries, which they may do if they feel the candidate has more experience/education than the average candidate of that particular role in the office.

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So, should you negotiate for a higher base?

This is quite a personal question of course - the answer depends somewhat on how strongly you feel about it.

That said, if you choose to negotiate, as long as you do it tactfully and frame it well, there should not be any downsides. I have seen numerous cases of McKinsey candidates attempting to negotiate, and even though it has mostly been unsuccessful (i've seen a few cases of candidates successfully negotiating for a sign-on bonus), I have NEVER seen any negative consequences of the attempts.

Just remember to approach it tactfully, and provide a clear rationale for why you believe your case deserves a potential exception. There is a lot of great resources online for how to approach this, even many peer-reviewed papers - check it out.

Hope this helps!

Sincerely, 
Thor

They will not rescind the offer. They will just say no. You are being paid what they pay for that level. And for your experience level, there is no expectation that there will be a noticeable difference in performance.

If you prove to be more senior than expected, you will be promoted in 6 months. Of course, you can flag this, and say that you would like to have an early promotion being considered - but 9/10 you'll just be learning the ropes just like (9/10) everyone else.

And if everything goes as expected, you will be promoted in 12 months - meaning that any benefit you capture right now won't last long. In 12 months you'll get the 2nd year associate salary, just like (9/10) everyone else.

If you are getting a lower salary, you can ask for a sign up bonus to make up for the difference, or part of the difference.

Congratulations on your offer! You're at the stage of the process everyone is hoping for :)

It is extremely unlikely that a firm would rescind an offer if you ask to negotiate the salary, however, it may or may not translate into a bump. Something that is an easier pill for firms to swallow is offering (or increasing the already offered) signing bonus. It is quite common that this is a tool that candidates use to negotiate the compensation.

The thing is that in most consulting firms the base compensation is tied to the role. 

So to have a higher compensation, you'd need to go for a higher role. And this is something you typically align at the start of the recruiting process, not at the end. 

What can be negotiated, for the firms and offices that offer it, is the signing and/or the relocation bonus.

Best,
Cristian

Hi there,

Congrats on the offer. Most firms have fairly fixed bands, but some will adjust within that band if you make a clear, calm case based on your background or competing offers. The downside is usually just a “no,” not a rescinded offer, as long as you keep the tone professional and open. 

Hi there, 

It might not be easy to negotiate the base, as many firms have a fixed base for a specific tenure. 

It is possible, however, to negotiate the sign on bonus. 

Ask nicely and don't push too hard. They won't rescind offer if you negotiate professionally. 

Best,

Emily

hey there :)

It’s absolutely normal to negotiate, especially as an experienced hire. Asking for a higher base won’t usually make them rescind the offer, but you want to do it professionally, frame it around your experience and market research, not just wanting more. The downside is minimal; at most, they might say no or adjust slightly. Make sure you emphasize your value and be reasonable, T2 firms often have tighter bands than MBB, but you can usually get some uplift if you ask.

best, Alessa :)