4) Offer Evaluation & Negotiation

Your "Total Compensation" (TC) is usually made up of three different buckets of money.

• Base Salary: This is the guaranteed money you get in every paycheck. This is the most important number because your future raises are usually based on this.
• Sign-on Bonus: A one-time payment given when you start. Warning: If you quit before one year, you usually have to pay this back!
• Equity (Stocks): Some companies give you shares of the company. This can make you rich if the company grows, but it is "paper money" until it vests (usually over 4 years).

Free Resource: Understanding Tech Compensation (Salary vs. Equity)