Hi Reader,
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Before we dive in, we wanted to share two virtual events we’re hosting this and next week! Life doesn’t always give you second chances, but for those who missed our last Q&A with our lawyer friend, Alexander Daniels, here are two more opportunities to catch us live and ask whatever burning questions you have around negotiating your compensation, navigating the job search, and excelling in your career:

1. Tomorrow, May 22 @ 1pm PT: Q&A with Product Leader Coach, Nancy Chu, former Meta and Roku product leader who has helped countless job seekers successfully land roles at top tech companies. Bring all your questions, whether about acing the interview process, positioning yourself for top offers, and negotiating your way to a stronger compensation package! RSVP: https://lu.ma/gx0pe585​

2. Next Friday, May 30 @ 12pm PT: Q&A with Executive Coach, Eric Nehrlich, former Google Chief of Staff who coaches mid-career to senior leaders to excel in their jobs. Whether you're early or more senior in your career, there will be a lot to be gained from this session, as he will cover strategies on how to shift from doing the work yourself to getting work done through others and leveling up in your role. RSVP: https://lu.ma/ibxqfukw​

Okay, onto our negotiation topic for the week 👇
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How to negotiate a promotion/raise (without making it awkward)

While many of our tips focus on negotiating new job offers, we often get asked: “How do I negotiate a promotion or raise at my current job?”

Our advice is grounded in first-principles, so the fundamentals still apply - showing genuine enthusiasm for your role, avoiding specifics about competing opportunities, and so on (if you need a recap, see our past newsletters here!).

But negotiating with your current employer comes with its own nuances, and a few things work differently than when you're negotiating a new job offer.

With a new offer, there’s usually a clear and time-bound phase when negotiations happen (and if you’re familiar with our advice, you’d know that we always recommend only negotiating once you receive the written offer! We wrote about this in our last newsletter here).

With a promotion, it’s a longer game. Here are a few key differences and tips to keep in mind.

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1. Promotions run on a longer timeline

You can’t just drop the ask out of nowhere. Instead, treat it like a work project—only this one’s entirely self-driven and no one cares about it as much as you do. Start seeding the conversation early. Don’t wait until your company’s standard raise/promotion cycle is already underway. By then, it’s often too late to influence outcomes. Ideally, you’re setting the stage weeks or even months in advance.

2. Be tactful - very tactful

Asking for a promotion can feel personal and high-stakes. That’s why it’s especially important to approach the conversation with your manager thoughtfully. You don’t want to come across as threatening to leave. Instead, frame it collaboratively.

This shifts the conversation from a demand to a shared challenge—and positions your manager as your partner, not your gatekeeper.

3. You gain leverage by having other options

Even if you're not actively job hunting, we always suggest taking that initial call with the recruiter who cold-DMed you on LinkedIn if the job seems even remotely interesting. If you can picture yourself working there, it’s worth a quick chat. Why? Because it gives you valuable information about your market value, which you can incorporate into your conversations with your current employer when asking for a raise or promotion. At the very least, it’s possibly a compelling Plan B, and sometimes, those recruiter pings just might lead to your next dream role.

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Final thought

You may have great reasons for staying where you are—maybe you love your team, your work, or the company’s mission. Or maybe you simply don’t want to invest time and energy in the job search grind. That’s perfectly valid. Just keep in mind that negotiating a promotion or raise internally often takes longer, can potentially require just as much effort as a job search, and typically results in smaller increases relative to new job offers.

That’s why, in many industries, the biggest pay bumps tend to come from switching jobs. If your company doesn’t see you the way you see yourself—even after all your thoughtful efforts—it might be worth exploring what’s out there to maximize your options.
Has negotiating a promotion or raise been on your mind? Book a free call with us here and we’re happy to provide even more tips and explore if we’re a good fit for working together.

Until next time!

Gerta & Alex
​Co-founders, YourNegotiations.com
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P.S. For more tips and real-life scripts, check out our free resources at YourNegotiations.com​.

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P.P.S. Get $500 for every client referral.​

All you need to send is an intro email.

Just reply to this email and CC your friend. We'll honor this bonus for every client that signs with us by the end of May.

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