Base Salary negotiation - Offer from BCG

Question

Hello everyone,

I have received an offer from BCG platinion for an IT Consultant position.

According to my research on other European offices - cause I can’t find data for the specific office since it’s a new one - the offered base salary seems a bit lower than the average ranges. (Glassdoor Data)

Below I explain my rationale:

I actually compared salary ranges between BCG Consultant and Platinion Consultant across Europe and realized that Platinion Consultants get paid around 25-30% less than a BCG Consultant.

Then, I multiplied this percentage to the specific office BCG Consultant salary ranges and realized that the offered base salary is 10-25% lower than the expected range.

Several questions from my side:

1) How accurate is the Glassdoor data?

2) Do you find my above approach reasonable ?

3) Could I use this analysis as a leverage base to negotiate ?

4) Would it be wise to negotiate or not ?

Thank you

Answer 1

Hi there,

First of all, congratulations on the offer!

I would be happy to share my thoughts on your question:

First of all, it is unfortunately impossible to negotiative your base salary. You can find more on exactly this topic here.
Moreover, while Glassdoor data is somewhat reliable, the more calculations you carry out with it, the less accurate the results will be.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on your specific situation, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

Answer 2

Hello and congratulations on the offer!

Glassdoor is usually directionally accurate in developed markets since they would have enough data points for the range shown
Yes, your approach seems reasonable based on data constraints
Yes, you can but no need to share details of your analysis with them - you can simply allude it to market research
You can go ahead to negotiate - there's no downside to that. Although based on my experience, BCG base salaries are usually standardized for each role level within an office. In some cases, there could be wiggle room with the sign-on bonus or relocation bonus (if relevant)

Feel free to reach out with any further questions.

Fathu

Answer 3

Hey there! From my experience that would be my advice:

Accuracy of Glassdoor Data: Glassdoor data can be a useful reference, but it's not always completely accurate. Salaries reported on the platform come from users, meaning they can vary depending on the number of submissions and their accuracy. It's a good starting point, but it shouldn't be relied upon as the sole data source.
Reasonableness of Your Approach: Your approach to estimating the salary gap between Platinion and BCG Consultant positions based on averages makes sense from a high-level perspective. However, salary can also depend on factors like market maturity, demand for IT consultants in the specific region, and the specific office's financial structure, so you may need more direct insights from people in similar roles or regions to validate your comparison.
Using the Analysis for Negotiation: If you present your analysis in a professional and data-driven way, it could serve as a good base for negotiation. Highlighting the average differences in compensation and expressing your understanding of the market can show that you’ve done your homework. However, be cautious about relying solely on Glassdoor data, as it might not capture the whole picture.
Whether to Negotiate: If you feel the offered salary is significantly below what you expected based on your research, it’s reasonable to try and negotiate. Firms like BCG are used to salary discussions, and as long as you approach it respectfully and professionally, it shouldn’t hurt your standing. That said, be prepared for them to justify their offer, particularly if the specific office is in a different stage of development or has a lower cost of living.

I generally think that your approach is rational but should be supplemented with additional data points, possibly from direct conversations with current or former employees in similar roles. Negotiating is typically acceptable, as long as you maintain a positive and open dialogue with the firm.

Good luck with it!

Alessa :)

Answer 4

Hi there,

Congrats on the offer!

1) Try levels.fyi

2) Yes!

3) The analysis works BUT

4) Generally, these offers are standardized with no possibility to negotiate. The main components that you could talk about would be flexible up-front salary parts if they apply (e.g., relocation bonus).

All the best,

Florian