Where this negotiation actually gets complicated
A designer comparing an agency offer to an in-house one is often comparing two different structures, not just two numbers: an agency role might pay more directly but offer less equity and less influence over a single product, while an in-house offer might trade a lower base for equity and deeper ownership of one product's design.
Negotiating well means understanding which of those tradeoffs actually matters before pushing on a number. A level-up raise conversation is its own challenge: a designer who's been operating at a senior level for months without the title has to make a specific, portfolio-backed case rather than a general appeal to time served.
What the practice session covers
Two modes make up this interview type, a new-offer mode for a job offer that has just landed, and an internal-raise mode built for a conversation with a current manager. In new-offer mode, a candidate can practice weighing an agency-style offer against an in-house one out loud, and in internal-raise mode, a candidate can practice tying a level-up ask to specific work rather than a vague sense of having grown.
Scoring
How the scoring applies here
Written reasoning and a scored report follow the session, focused on how the negotiation itself played out, since this is a negotiation, not a hiring evaluation.
The penalty system deducts for an interview that ends abruptly, which matters here specifically, since a manager weighing a level-up request may want more time to decide, and a candidate who lets that stand without securing a specific follow-up date loses points here the same way an unresolved real conversation would.
Frequently asked questions
Can I practice weighing an agency offer against an in-house one, not just a single number?
Yes. New-offer mode is built around the full negotiation a real design offer requires, and a candidate can raise structural differences like equity and ownership the same way they would in an actual call.
Will the AI just agree to a level-up if I ask for one?
No. The AI on the other side of the conversation responds and pushes back the way a real manager weighing timing and budget would, rather than approving it immediately.
Is this useful if I don't have an offer or raise conversation scheduled yet?
Yes. Both new-offer and internal-raise modes can be used ahead of a real conversation, giving a candidate a chance to build their case before an actual conversation puts them under pressure.
Can I practice both a level-up raise and a new offer separately?
Yes. New-offer and internal-raise are separate modes built for their own scenarios, since negotiating a first offer differs from asking a current employer for a level change.
Does a manager asking for more time to decide count against me if I let it stand unresolved?
It can. The penalty system deducts for an abruptly ended session, so securing a specific follow-up date scores better than letting the conversation end without one.
Related pages
Rehearse the compensation conversation before you have it for real
Practice weighing an agency versus in-house offer, or making the case for a level-up raise, with an AI that pushes back.