I did indeed use salary as a first cut, meaning it was clear that only 2–3 companies would be competitive. After that, it was down to how the companies treated me, the vibe I got on their campuses, benefits, reputation, and where I saw myself learning the most. As I mentioned, I was willing to accept less from the company I signed with at the end; it just so happened that they upped their package above everyone else’s, so it was a fairytale ending for me.