[mcv]

> So you've left your old job, and now want to negotiate? No one's fooled about who has leverage.

Handle it before you leave your old job, then. Do what works best for you.

I have negotiated contracts while already working, and that has worked fine for me. If they back out, I'll find something else. At some point you may notice they won't move any further, and then you've got a choice to make. If this is just another job and there are plenty like it, you quit. If it's a unique opportunity, you suck it up and sign.

But the point remains that you should never sign a contract on the spot. Unless it's really something super standard, negotiated by your union, or otherwise something that you really can't get around. But in every other circumstance, you always have options open. Never forget that.

[BeetleB]

> Handle it before you leave your old job, then. Do what works best for you.

I'm not disagreeing with you. Set your boundaries. Just be aware that this will preclude you from working in many big companies.