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What is Sign-on Bonus?
A sign-on bonus is a one-time payment given when you join a company, usually to offset unvested equity you left behind or to close an offer gap. It commonly comes with a clawback if you leave early.
Examples
- A $40,000 sign-on paid in the first paycheck.
- A sign-on split half at start and half at the one-year mark.
- A clawback requiring repayment if you leave within 12 months.
Why this matters
RaiseCheck shows how a sign-on affects the true year-one and year-two value of an offer — recruiters often use it to make a weak base look stronger.
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