The Most Important Career Advice You Haven’t Acted on Yet (Copy)

Executives today are navigating one of the most competitive talent markets we have seen in years. Whether it’s retaining top performers or attracting new leaders, one theme consistently emerges: candidates who can clearly articulate their value rise to the top. Given this market, here are some practical tips for approaching raises, promotions, and career moves with confidence.

Why This Matters

If you are an executive, two career moments often define your career trajectory:
1. Asking for a raise or promotion in your current organization.
2. Interviewing and negotiating for a new role elsewhere.

Both are high-stakes conversations. Too many leaders rely on tenure or reputation, treat negotiation as adversarial rather than collaborative, assume the resume speaks for itself without preparing their career story, and underestimate the importance of presence and influence in the room. Success instead comes from preparation, narrative, and confidence.

1. Asking for a Raise or Promotion

Anchor the conversation with data.

Quantify your impact through measurable data such as P&L improvement, market share growth, operational efficiencies, team retention, etc. Come prepared with specifics.

Frame it as a mutual benefit.

Employers respond best when they see how retaining and rewarding you accelerates overall organizational goals. Position your request as a win-win for the organization.

Practice your delivery.

Negotiation is as much about tone and timing as substance. Rehearse your key points until you can deliver them with clarity and confidence. Consider role-playing with a trusted colleague or mentor to fine-tune.

Visibility matters.

Promotions often go to those who are not only strong performers but also recognized as influencers inside the organization. Volunteer for cross-functional projects and look for opportunities to be seen as a leader beyond your immediate team.

 2. Interviewing for a New Role

Craft a compelling narrative.

Hiring leaders want to see the trajectory. Build a storyline that connects the dots: where you started, how you scaled impact, and what challenges you have solved. End with why this move is the natural next step in your career. Practice telling it in 2-3 minutes.

Prepare for objections.

Anticipate the tough questions, such as why you are leaving your current role, gaps in your résumé, and/or industry shifts. Draft concise, confident responses and rehearse until they feel natural.

Negotiate beyond salary.

Before the interview, determine what matters most to you besides salary, such as scope of role, resources, team composition, growth opportunities, etc. Come prepared with a list of thoughtful questions to help you assess these variables.

Manage the pressure.

Nerves are normal. Create a pre-interview routine: review your notes, do a quick breathing exercise, or take a short walk. Again, consider role-playing with a trusted colleague or mentor to fine-tune.

How Candidates Can Thrive in These Moments

• Quantify your value: Back up your contributions with data and results, not just tenure.

• Treat negotiation as collaboration: Position discussions as a way to align your growth with the organization’s success.

• Own your career story: Practice telling a clear, compelling narrative rather than relying on your resume alone.

• Communicate with confidence: Being prepared and confident makes your impact memorable.

The bottom line: Whether you are preparing to ask for a raise or interviewing for your next role, the same principles apply. These are not just soft skills—they are career multipliers.

We consistently see executives who master negotiation and communication accelerate faster both within their current organizations and in the job market.

We are here to help if we can and welcome your experiences and comments.

Steve + Z3Team