Have I heard of anyone who’s challenged their bonus? Yes, I have. And successfully, too. But is it worth it to haggle over tens of thousands of dollars instead of the long-run goal of getting promoted?

You may win out this time, but They may remember it down the line. Even top performing junior bankers are expendable. Until you get to the partner or MD level, you’re really just someone who executes. What if you think your bonus is some kind of test, to see whether you’ll step up and challenge it? If they are lowballing you that much, I suggest you work elsewhere.

Once you hear the number, you may be tempted to tell someone straightaway about it. I have a policy of not telling anyone work-related my bonus. Here’s my logic: If they make more than me, I don’t want them to know. If they make less than me, I don’t know them to know.