Hi Reader,

We wanted to share some insights from a recent Wall Street Journal article that might surprise you:

• 23% of Harvard MBAs who graduated this year didn’t land a job within three months (compared to only 10% in 2022).
• Top-tier schools—from Wharton to MIT Sloan—are reporting record-high percentages of grads still seeking work.
• Tech giants like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft, as well as major consulting firms, have reduced MBA hiring or delayed start dates.

So, what does that mean for you—even if you don’t have “Harvard” or “Wharton” on your resume?

1. Brand Names Won’t Cut It Alone

Prestige can get you in the door, but it’s not a free pass to the job offer.

Showcasing real, measurable results and problem-solving skills matters more than the school printed on your diploma.

2. The Power of a Personal Network

With companies going “lean,” recruiters aren’t always coming to campus or giving big signing bonuses.

You need to be out there, initiating the conversations.

Whether it’s coffee chats, alumni referrals, or LinkedIn networking, relationships will carry more weight than ever.

3. Negotiation Starts Before the Offer

It’s easy to think negotiation begins only after you have an offer in hand.

Not true.

Every interview, every conversation, is a moment to build your leverage:

• Show your excitement for the role—managers invest more in candidates who want to be there, and recruiters will go to bat for you internally with the hiring team if they believe there's a genuine shot at you accepting the role.
• Don’t overshare details that reduce your leverage (like details of competing offers or your salary expectations).
• Test the waters early by politely asking about their total budget, which is different from the salary range many companies post on their job posts. Get them to reveal their cards first.

4. Adapt or Get Left Behind

One big takeaway from the article:

This “new reality” in hiring isn’t going away anytime soon.

So whether you’re fresh out of an MBA or pivoting careers, flexibility is your friend.

That might mean staying open to contract roles, smaller companies, or different industries—at least temporarily.

What We’re Seeing

Clients who come to us early in their search—MBA or not—are landing higher salaries and better positions because they’re proactive.

They’re mapping out their negotiation game plan before recruiters ask, “So what are your salary expectations?”

Still Feeling Uncertain?

If you’re navigating a tough job market, we’ve got you.

Whether it’s acing interview negotiations, deciding if you should pivot careers entirely, or figuring out how to talk about a delayed start date, we help you keep the leverage you’ve earned.

Book a free consultation call or simply reply to this email to learn more about how we can guide you toward a stronger offer—even in a down market.

Here’s to making your MBA (or any other credential) work for you, not against you.

Thanks,
Gerta & Alex
​Co-founders of YourNegotiations.com​