my friend gets an offer as strategist in a top IBs, (her first job after phd)and the offer does not include a sign-on bonus!! she's kind of pissed off, and wonders if she can ask the firm. however, she doesn't want to leave any bad impression with the firm, as she reallylikes it, and will join it no matter there is sign-on bonus or not.but no sign-on bonus looks weird to me - what do you guys think? does thatmean the firm is lukewarm on her? but it's a top IB and >1 groups in it want her!

I think that your friend shouldn't be pissed, maybe disappointed, but not pissed. Did this person have other offers on the table? If there were other offers, maybe they should subtley mention that another firm had made an offer, and there was a sign on bonus at that firm.I think if this friend is really interested in this firm, and the offer has already been made, it may be too late to get one and they should go ahead and join. Don't want to come across as petty and potentially look bad. Kind of difficult position. I think if the firm is making an offer, doesn't mean they are luke warm, but could indicate that they feel there is no reason to give a sign on if they are a top tier firm, "you should be lucky to work for us" type of situation.Hope that helps.

Sign on bonus is standard and NOT subjective, atleast for 1st year analysts/associates (atleast in NYC). It's very unusual that she is not getting a bonus. Perhaps she should bring it up with one of her to be colleagues and ask them about it?

Or ask for compensation for "re-location".

Sounds a bit greedy. Tell her to focus on the opportunity and in a year's time a sign on bonus will look piddly in comparison

Is compensation for relocation standard too?

My understanding is: No signing bonus may be a good thing in this market. Signing bonus for fresh grad usually comes with capped year end bonus for the 1st year. It is because they are usually placed in a formal program and within that program, nearly all participants will be given the same package across the departments and across the countries. The reason is that fresh grads 1st year compensation is usually not paid by your desk. If you do not have signing bonus, it is possible that your compensation is allocated from your desk bonus pool and the year end bonus will then be open end which can easily compensate your sign on bonus in the current market situation.Like the other said, 3-4 years down the road, your signing bonus will just be a fraction.The most important thing is to get the right job in the first place without concerning too much the salary if it is not too far off your expectation.

Re-location package and sign on are seperate. With regards to year end bonus, it depends on whether or not you are on a rotation program initially. If you are hired directly by a desk, they pay the bonus from their profit pool. I'm not positive about this though.

thanks for your replies. it turns out Ethan is right. my friend was put in a "un-tracked" program so that her year-end bonus would have a higher upward potential. But she's only gonna work for the last 3 months for this year, so the bonus won't be much anyway.

Generally speaking, how much is the sign-in bonus for the first job after Ph.D? I am in the same situation. and how much percentage will the year-end bonus be like?

QuoteOriginally posted by: monicailoveyouGenerally speaking, how much is the sign-in bonus for the first job after Ph.D? I am in the same situation. and how much percentage will the year-end bonus be like?here is a michaelpage survey, i think it is just averages, so have it with a pinch of salt:michael page salary survey

QuoteOriginally posted by: monicailoveyouGenerally speaking, how much is the sign-in bonus for the first job after Ph.D? I am in the same situation. and how much percentage will the year-end bonus be like?sign on bonus for fresh PhD's in UK banks is around £15kFV

In the USAssociate: $30kAnalyst: $10KDoesnt the sign on in UK depend on the position they're offering you? Or is there a standard position for Ph.D.s?

QuoteOriginally posted by: randomaxIn the USAssociate: $30kAnalyst: $10KDoesnt the sign on in UK depend on the position they're offering you? Or is there a standard position for Ph.D.s?PhD's join as associates on graduate programs.