Rise & Shine: Let's Talk Money! ๐ค Are You Leaving Money on the Table?
Call me crazy, but salary negotiation might just be my favorite part of coaching.
Why?
Because this is the moment where all our hard work โ the clarity, confidence, and communication โ comes full circle. I get to advocate with you (and sometimes for you!) to make sure the value you bring is matched by the compensation you receive.
And here's the kicker: this is also where my clients get a massive ROI on their coaching investment.
โจ Weโre talking 500% returns.
โจ Even 5900% returns!!!
โจ Yes, you read that right. Thatโs not a typo.
Letโs talk about how you can do the same.
๐ฌ First Things First: Why Negotiation Matters
So many professionals skip negotiating. Hereโs why thatโs a problem:
You leave tens of thousands on the table โ now and over time.
Raises and bonuses are typically percentage-based. A low starting salary means lower increases over time.
Companies expect negotiation. Not doing it can send the wrong message.
Let me put this into perspective for you with this exampleโฆ
Meet Ali! ๐โโ๏ธ She is an amazing mid-career professional, who just landed a new role and decided not to negotiate her salary because she was just excited to get an offer.
You might be thinkingโฆ โAt least she landed a new role!โ.
What if I told you she could have negotiated a $5k or $10k salary increase and the employer would have said yes?!
Do you know what that adds up to over time, based on an average annual merit increase of 3%???
(Note: Average merit increases for 2025 are actually slightly higher at 3.3%, but let's be conservative in our calculation for this example.)
๐คฏ๐คฏ๐คฏ
Bottom line: Negotiating doesnโt make you greedy. It makes you SMART! ๐ก
๐ก What You Can Negotiate (Spoiler: Itโs Not Just Salary)
Most people think itโs just about base pay, but thereโs so much more on the table. Here are some things Iโve helped clients negotiate:
โ โฏ5-Figure Salary Increases
โ โฏExtra PTO
โ โฏBetter Titles
โ โฏ6-Month Promotion + Raise Agreements
โ โฏHigher Bonus Percentages
โ โฏFlexible or Remote Schedules
โ โฏProfessional Development Stipends
๐ฅ Real Results from Real Clients
๐ง One client negotiated a $30K increase AND a 4% annual bonus increase.
๐ฏ Another landed a 6-month promotion track with a guaranteed raise baked in plus an extra week vacation.
๐ฅ And yes โ one saw a 5900% return on what she invested in coaching. Let that sink in...๐คฏ
๐ Tips to Negotiate Like a Pro
1. Know Your Value
Before you can ask for more, you need to know what youโre worth.
What problems do you solve?
What results have you driven?
We get crystal clear on this in our sessions.
2. Research the Range
Use tools like Payscale, Glassdoor, Salary.com, and Indeed to understand the compensation landscape in your industry and location.
3. Never Give the First Number
If asked for salary expectations, pivot:
๐ฌโฏโIโm focused on finding the right role and team fit. I trust weโll be able to land on a package that reflects the value I bring.โ
OR โIโd love to first understand what budget you have set for this role and understand expectations and responsibilities you have for this position.โ
4. Ask for Time
You donโt have to say yes on the spot. โThank you! Iโd love to review this and get back to you by [insert time frame].โ
5. Consider the Full Package
Salary is just one part. Look at benefits, work-life balance, bonus potential, promotion paths, and what matters most to YOU.
If they havenโt shared those details with you yet, be sure to ask for more information on full compensation before agreeing or saying yes when asked if you are good with the salary they have listed.
๐ช Reflection Time
Before your next negotiation, ask yourself:
What are the non-negotiables in this season of my life?
Where do I need to speak up for my worth?
What would future me thank me for asking?
If youโre sitting on an offer (or hoping oneโs coming), letโs make sure youโre ready to handle that conversation with confidence and clarity.
Because nothing lights me up more than watching you stand tall and get what you deserve.
Ready to talk numbers? Letโs go!!! ๐ช
๐ฉ Forward this to a friend whoโs about to negotiate an offer.
And if youโre not already part of the Rise & Shine community โ hit that subscribe button so you never miss a career-changing tip.
Until next timeโฆ keep rising, keep shining.
๐ Alyssa
Founder, Rise Up Career Coaching
Helping you find joy and purpose in your professional journey.
You can find all past newsletters here:https://www.riseupcareercoach.com/newsletter
