Why "win me over" is not real leverage
A mistake we see job seekers make a lot is overrelying on their current role as leverage. Having a job can feel like they’re holding all the cards: “I’d be...
Hey friends,
A mistake we see job seekers make a lot is overrelying on their current role as leverage. Having a job can feel like they’re holding all the cards: “I’d be fine staying in my current role, I’m happy where I’m at, the recruiter reached out to me and I wasn’t even looking for a new job.”
But being happy where you are is usually not the leverage you think it is, and anchoring yourself to your current role can actually weaken your position. Here’s why:
1️⃣ Your current situation is more visible than you think
When a company approaches you, they already know where you work. They usually have a good sense of what that company pays, whether from market data or from people in their network. In other words, your cards are pretty transparent.
You might have some hidden leverage if you’re an exceptional performer, or if you have unusually strong refreshers, bonuses, or equity that you can bring up in the negotiations. But the baseline of where you are is not a mystery to them.
2️⃣ Talking to them at all signals openness to leaving
By the time you make it through interviews and receive an offer, you’ve already invested a significant amount of time and effort. That alone signals that you’re open to leaving your current company.
At that point, saying you’re happy where you are carries much less weight. Your actions tell the company that you’re at least willing to consider a move, which weakens the leverage you may think you have at this stage.
3️⃣ The best leverage in job negotiations still comes from another offer
At the offer stage, the strongest leverage is still having another concrete option outside your current role. When companies sense real competition for your talent, they can be far more willing to increase your compensation to avoid losing you to the market. And of course, it needs to be handled with diplomacy and strategy.
Being in a job while you’re recruiting does have its advantages: it gives you a sense of safety knowing that you’ll still be employed if you don’t get the offer. It can help you walk away if something about the new opportunities doesn’t feel right.
But on its own, it doesn’t meaningfully change the power dynamics in a job offer negotiation. Understanding the difference can prevent you from overestimating your leverage and underplaying your strategy.
Best,
Gerta & Alex
Cofounders, YourNegotiations.com
P.S. Are you job searching or have upcoming negotiations?
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