I got a job offer and they don't meet my base salary expectation but they're giving a substantial bonus package opportunity every year like 13k. I've never gotten a bonus at work, it has always been senior management or my managers benefiting off of my work and idk if that is just how agencies work but this offer is from a large well known company so it's super new to me.
So from what I understand, bonus isn't guaranteed ever and dependent on not only my performance but also how the company is doing. Is it safe to assume that because the economy is tanking, when considering a job offer that I should put more emphasis on base salary? Have you had years where you didn't get a bonus?
I'm trying to negotiate because there are so many cons – high stress environment, less PTO than my current job and, worst of all, forcing me to come into work a few days a week on a long commute so the price has to be right. Pros are higher salary (15k base salary increase) but now I'd also have more expenses and opportunity to work at a well known company.