What to Do When Your Dream Job Offers Less Salary Than You Expected
I’ll never forget the thrill of getting an offer from HubSpot. At the time, the odds were wild—about 1 in 7,000 applicants for my role got an offer. It felt like such an honor. But then came the conversation with HR. They offered me a salary that was half of what I’d been earning before—and they quickly shut down my request to negotiate based on my experience. Ouch.
I was crushed, and honestly, a little disheartened. But looking back, I can confidently say that accepting that offer and spending three years at HubSpot was one of the best career decisions I’ve ever made. Here’s why: while salary matters (of course), the total compensation package and the opportunities for growth can sometimes make up for a less-than-ideal paycheck. In my case, HubSpot’s HR leader couldn’t budge on the salary, but he was open to creative requests. That flexibility made all the difference—and it might for you, too.
If you’re in a similar situation, here are some ideas to help you evaluate the total opportunity and negotiate creatively.
Step 1: Look Beyond the Base Salary
Yes, salary and bonuses are important—but they’re only part of the picture. Benefits like health insurance, coaching, personal development resources, commuting and even co-working perks can significantly boost the value of your total compensation.
If the salary still feels like a stretch, think about asking for other benefits that align with both the company’s priorities and your goals. Positioning these requests thoughtfully shows you’re invested in growing with the company, which is a win.
Step 2: Do Your Homework
Start by reviewing the company’s culture and the key competencies for your role. Look for benefits that will help you grow in those areas or continue contributing to their values. (Translation: make it about them, but also totally about you.)
For example, HubSpot is built around its HEART values—Humble, Empathetic, Adaptable, Remarkable, and Transparent. Knowing this, I could frame my requests to align with their priorities.
I said something like, “I love how HEART is central to HubSpot’s culture. As I grow into management, I want to strengthen my communication skills to better embody these values. Would there be a budget for coaching to support this development?”
Guess what? HubSpot spent $5,000–$10,000 a year on coaching for me. That extra investment nudged my overall compensation into a much more comfortable range —and made me feel even more valued as an employee. (It didn’t help a lot, mind you…so let’s keep going.)
Step 3: Get Creative with Benefits
Here are a few other ideas that worked for me:
Life Support Resources: Many companies offer benefits to support your well-being. At HubSpot, I had access to 10 therapy sessions and 10 coaching sessions annually through their Modern Life program. That kind of support was priceless, especially during stressful times.
Coworking Stipends: During COVID, HubSpot was fully remote, and I knew isolation wouldn’t bring out my best. While they didn’t advertise it, they provided up to $6,000 a year in Co-working benefits—a game changer for my productivity and mental health. If remote work isn’t your thing, ask if the company offers Co-working perks. (see our blog post on the dangers of 100% remote work.)
Step 4: Play the Long Game
Finally, if the employer can’t meet all your requests and you still really want the job, it may be worth thinking long-term. Will this role open doors for your career? Could it be one of those pivotal opportunities you look back on as a turning point?
For me, HubSpot was exactly that. Even with a lower starting salary, the total experience was invaluable. The growth, the skills, and the connections I gained have paid off in ways I couldn’t have imagined at the time. And, as a side benefit, I ended up making a lot more money than I could have imagined in stock options.
Your Turn
If you’ve ever been in a similar situation, I’d love to hear how you approached it. Did you negotiate creatively? Did the experience pay off in the end? Leave a comment below—I am excited to hear your story.