Microsoft Technical Program Manager Salary

So now you've got the compensation data, are you ready to negotiate? Not quite.

First off, comp data is constantly changing. Microsoft’s numbers changed substantially from 2021 to 2022, and it’s critical to know the full range for each component to optimize your negotiation. 

However, counter to what many people think, having compensation data alone is not typically enough. This is particularly true at Microsoft which is known for paying below market and rarely gives top-of-band offers. You can go tell your Microsoft recruiter that $X is top of band and that you want that number, but in 90% of cases that won’t work. So, what will?

Companies negotiate when they believe you won’t accept their offer. But, since you just finished a long and arduous interview process with them, they know you are likely to accept the job.

This means you need to create leverage and make it believable that you are considering other options but would prefer Microsoft if the compensation is comparable. This sounds easy but quickly becomes challenging if you don’t have other offers or if your other offers aren’t higher than the top-of-band comp numbers you are targeting.

Even if you are in a perfect situation where you have a competing offer with comp higher than the top-of-band numbers you are targeting, the negotiation can still get complicated. Microsoft will often inflate numbers using stretched performance bonuses and stock refresher targets, and therefore claim they have matched the competing offer. Or, they may simply say they are unable to match your specific competing offer. 

There are dozens of rules at Microsoft that can completely de-rail a negotiation. Coming up with the right negotiation approach can feel a bit like throwing pasta at a wall – and not knowing what will stick.

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