For me, the negotiation has been different with each job, and has depended on whether I sought them out or they sought me out. You don't say your situation. Let's assume I'm satisfied in my current role, and a recruiter is cold-contacting me.
If their initial pitch goes well, and they ask about my comp requirements, I know that I'm supposed to have them make the first offer, but I will usually offer a salary and equity number. Granted, that's considered by many a negotiation mistake. So, I will say that I will not consider less than x$ and y-equity, but that it will likely take more. Depends on how the interview process goes and what I learn. But they're numbers that, if we end up there, will be better than my current situation.
So, then things go well, and they make an offer, usually at or very close to what I told them. I've always countered some bump in salary or equity from that, but a package that if they accept, I will accept.
For me personally, money is no longer the top factor, I don't particularly enjoy negotiation, and I'm usually also talking by this point with my potential new boss. So, I willingly make the process pretty streamlined at the expense of possibly squeezing out a little more. That approach is not right for everyone.
That said, I think companies fully expect some negotiation. So whatever negotiation tactic you take, as long as it's respectful, will not hurt your chances of ultimately getting the new gig. In other words, they won't withdraw an offer or anything if you negotiate.
If their initial pitch goes well, and they ask about my comp requirements, I know that I'm supposed to have them make the first offer, but I will usually offer a salary and equity number. Granted, that's considered by many a negotiation mistake. So, I will say that I will not consider less than x$ and y-equity, but that it will likely take more. Depends on how the interview process goes and what I learn. But they're numbers that, if we end up there, will be better than my current situation.
So, then things go well, and they make an offer, usually at or very close to what I told them. I've always countered some bump in salary or equity from that, but a package that if they accept, I will accept.
For me personally, money is no longer the top factor, I don't particularly enjoy negotiation, and I'm usually also talking by this point with my potential new boss. So, I willingly make the process pretty streamlined at the expense of possibly squeezing out a little more. That approach is not right for everyone.
That said, I think companies fully expect some negotiation. So whatever negotiation tactic you take, as long as it's respectful, will not hurt your chances of ultimately getting the new gig. In other words, they won't withdraw an offer or anything if you negotiate.