What is a signing bonus and when is it negotiable?

A signing bonus is a one-time payment upon contract signing — popular because it is more cost-effective on the balance sheet than a salary increase. It does not appear in the base salary and does not increase subsequent obligations for the employer. According to WEF Future of Jobs and LinkedIn Economic Graph: it is particularly common in tech and high-demand professions (BA Q048 skills shortage). Negotiable when: the base salary is maxed out, you have a concrete financial argument (bonus loss at the previous employer, relocation costs), or the employer has said 'no' to base salary. Pay attention to the retention clause: many signing bonuses must be repaid if you resign within 12–24 months — read the contract carefully.