What to Do When Your Dream Job Offers Less Salary Than You Expected

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.