How to negotiate your bonus when changing jobs

I'm looking for responses from people who have gone through this before. Let's say I'm looking to lateral from my current company (company A) to a different company (company B) doing the exact same job as I am currently. For example, at my company, you receive your bonus 4 months after the end of year performance upon which it is based. Let's assume company B has the same bonus schedule and you lateral immediately after you receive your bonus. That means that in your new role, your bonus will be prorated to your start date and you will effectively lose out on 4 months of bonus.

So herein the question: do you accept the 4-month bonus loss and justify the move with a higher base? Or do you negotiate a signing bonus to cover the 4-month bonus loss? What have you monkeys done in the past?

 

I would negotiate the sign on bonus.

E.g. if it is a private equity company or so they might give you a stake in the existing assets that equals the negotiated sign on bonus. There is then no immediate cash flow but potential for a higher bonus that is paid later. For your future employer this option is safer than just giving you an upfront payment.

Writing about travel at Karate and Caviar
 

Most people who lateral wait for the bonus to hit their account before leaving. If you leave around January or something, usually the new firm will 'buyout' your bonus, that is, they guarantee a portion of your bonus.

 

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