What are the most important things when looking for a new job?
Well, according to research from Gallup, the two most important factors for the vast majority of job seekers are salary and well-being.
It’s not surprising. According to research from SHRM, 82 percent of workers in the United States are more likely to apply to jobs that share a salary range.
So, when companies are not only upfront about salary ranges, but excited to show off their financial perks, it’s worth noting.
Built In spoke with Melanie Seymour, senior director of compensation and people operations at CarGurus, to learn more about the company’s financial benefits like company equity, charitable contribution matching, performance bonuses and a pay transparency policy.
CarGurus operates an online automotive marketplace connecting buyers and sellers of new and used cars in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.
How does your company ensure its pay and bonus plans are competitive?
CarGurus’ unique culture and innovative work make it a great place to build a career. Fair and competitive compensation — including a market-aligned base salary, annual bonus and equity — provides the stability, reward and recognition that keep people engaged and motivated. We ensure our pay and incentive plans are equitable and competitive by regularly benchmarking our compensation and benefits programs against those of our peers and others in the tech industry. Our annual bonus plan reflects a mix of individual and company performance, reinforcing each individual’s role in helping us achieve our organizational goals. In our revenue organization, team members earn commission rather than an annual bonus, allowing these employees to feel their impact in real time.
What are your perks and benefits like?
CarGurus designs its perks and benefits to meet employees where they are, offering flexible, thoughtful support for their evolving lives, families and goals. We provide best-in-class medical, dental and vision coverage, 401(k) with company match, plus numerous offerings to support physical, mental and financial wellness. Parents in particular value our Care.com membership, as well as fertility health and family-forming benefits through Carrot. These complement a flexible hybrid workplace model and robust time off policies, including unlimited personal time off, a month-long paid sabbatical every five years, plus additional flex and mental health days throughout the year.
“CarGurus designs its perks and benefits to meet employees where they are, offering flexible, thoughtful support for their evolving lives, families and goals.”
Office-based employees get $15 toward lunch delivery each day, up to $325 in commuting cost coverage and access to a 24/7 fitness center. Fun pop-ups like “Wellness Mondays” and “Bagel Fridays” make time in the office even more seamless and enjoyable. Offerings like a $1,250 Auto Perk credit toward a car purchase from one of our dealer-partners and tuition reimbursement up to $10,000 a year underscore our investment in our people at work and well beyond.
Does your employer offer stock or equity and is it considered competitive?
Yes, as part of our total compensation package, all full-time new hires across all levels at CarGurus receive equity in the form of “restricted stock units.” The RSU values move with our stock price and vest 25 percent annually over four years, with quarterly vesting starting after the first year.
We offer additional equity to select strong performers during our annual review cycle or upon promotions to ensure employees feel connected to our growth and recognized for their contributions. As with salary, bonus and commission, we regularly work with external experts to benchmark our equity awards against those of the broader market and peers in the tech industry to ensure they stay competitive and support our recruiting and retention goals.
