Welcome back to Design a Career You Love where I help corporate professionals like you design, build and navigate your high impact career with clarity and confidence. ✨ If someone forwarded you this email, subscribe here so you won't miss out on future editions. Hiring Managers expect you to negotiate. “But if I ask for more, they might pull the offer," you say. If you’ve ever thought that, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common fears I hear from clients - especially when they finally land a role that seems like the perfect next step. (I recently had a client who came to me after 18 months on the job search and once he got an offer, he definitely didn't want to do anything to jeopardize it). But here’s the truth: In most industries - especially in functions like tech, finance, marketing, consulting, and in any type of leadership role - the first offer isn’t the final offer. It’s a starting point. When you accept too quickly, it doesn’t make you look grateful. It makes you look inexperienced. That might sound harsh. But it’s also freeing. Negotiation ≠ConflictNegotiation doesn’t mean you're being difficult. You're not threatening anyone. You're having a professional conversation about aligning the offer with your value, your priorities, and your life. At the end of the day a hiring manager wants to understand what you need so that they can create a positive working contract - so that you want to stay working on their team. If you don't communicate, they'll never know (remember, hiring managers aren't mind readers). But most of us weren’t taught that. Especially if you were raised to “just be grateful” for opportunities… …it makes total sense that your first instinct is to smile, say thank you, and sign the offer as fast as possible. That instinct? It's expensive. The $10K Mistake (and What It Really Costs You)Let’s say you leave $10K on the table because you don’t want to rock the boat. That $10K doesn’t just disappear once. It becomes your new baseline - your next salary anchor, the starting point for future raises, bonuses, even promotions. Give it a few years - and that $10K mistake quietly becomes $30K… then $60K… then six figures.
In one study, researchers found that failing to negotiate your first salary - by just $5,000 - can cost you over $600,000 in lost earnings over the course of your career.​ — Linda Babcock & Sara Laschever, “Women Don’t Ask” Not negotiating isn’t playing it safe. What You’re Leaving on the TableHere’s the good news: you can negotiate way more than just salary. Sometimes the extras matter more. Here’s what’s usually on the table:
🟡 Pro tip: Bundle your requests. Don’t nickel-and-dime. Be thoughtful and concise. Ask Smart, Not ScaredYou don’t need a TED Talk. Just a few confident sentences. Try these: “Thanks so much for the offer - I'm excited about the opportunity. I’ve reviewed the details, and I’d love to explore whether there’s any flexibility on compensation.”
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“Based on the scope of the role and what I’ve seen in the market, I was hoping we could get closer to [$X].”
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“Is there any room to move on equity or signing bonus?”
You're not demanding. You're discussing. (also, how a hiring manager handles this conversation is an important indicator as to whether they'll be a good boss or not. Pay attention!) The Negotiation ChecklistBefore you say yes, ask yourself: ✅ Do I know what matters most to me in this offer? ✅ Have I asked for what I actually want? ✅ What are all the options available to me? ✅ Am I making this decision from clarity, not fear? Remember, you can do this. Need help working though an offer? Book an on-demand coaching session to work through your offer details with me. ​ I'll help figure out your strategy as well as what to say and how to say it. (the last client who I helped do this was able to negotiate a 9% raise on a multi-6-figure offer, that was 37.5x ROI on his coaching investment) 👉 Click here to book your Negotiation Coaching Session.Sitting on an offer? Let’s talk through it. Until next week, Beckie ​ When you’re ready, here are 3 ways I can support you:1. Complete Career TransformationMy signature one-on-one coaching program will help you get clear on what’s next for your career, plus upgrade your story, sales documents (resume, cover letter & LinkedIn profile) and strategy to confidently transition into a career that fuels your life, making Mondays the best day of the week. Apply Here.​ 2. Career Power HourReceive coaching and feedback from me on any element of your career growth or job search - including job offer negotiation - in this high impact 60-minute session. Reserve Now. 3. Follow me on LinkedIn​For daily advice on navigating career transitions, job search tips and how to design a career you love. |
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Welcome back to Design a Career You Love where I help corporate professionals like you design, build and navigate your high impact career with clarity and confidence. ✨ If someone forwarded you this email, subscribe here so you won't miss out on future editions. Last week a client told me: “I feel like I’m circling. I want a new role, but I'm not sure where to land.” She’s not underqualified. She’s not unmotivated. She’s just stuck in what psychologists call “choice overload.” The data behind...
Welcome back to Design a Career You Love where I help corporate professionals like you design, build and navigate your high impact career with clarity and confidence. ✨ If someone forwarded you this email, subscribe here so you won't miss out on future editions. You can feel it in the air right now.The annual performance review cycles. The side chats with your manager. The low-key rumors about who's “in line” for what. It’s promotion season. And if you’re waiting, watching, or wondering if...
Welcome back to Design a Career You Love where I help corporate professionals like you design, build and navigate your high impact career with clarity and confidence. ✨ If someone forwarded you this email, subscribe here so you won't miss out on future editions. Hey Reader, You made it through the third round. Maybe the fourth. You’re starting to lose count. You’ve met the hiring manager, the team, someone’s boss, and maybe a guy who seemed like he just wandered into the Zoom room by...