Hello everyone,
Welcome to my blog, where we dive into empowering women in tech and tackling the unique challenges we face. I’m Limor Bergman Gross, and today, I want to share some invaluable insights from the latest episode of my podcast, ‘From a Woman to a Leader.’
In this episode, I had the pleasure of interviewing Michelle Merritt, a seasoned expert with over 20 years of experience as a Fortune 500 recruiter and corporate culture executive. We discussed strategies for mastering job offer negotiations, and I’m excited to share the key takeaways with you.
Understanding Your Worth
One of the biggest challenges we face is negotiating our worth. Michelle emphasizes the importance of knowing your value and being prepared to articulate it. She shares a powerful story about learning negotiation skills from her grandfathers and highlights that no one is a born negotiator—it’s a skill we can all learn and master.
Negotiation in Writing
Michelle advises negotiating in writing to ensure clarity and protection. This approach helps avoid misunderstandings and ensures that all terms are clearly documented. It’s especially important when discussing base salary, bonuses, and other compensation factors.
Strategies for Tough Market Conditions
Negotiating in less-than-ideal market conditions can be daunting. Michelle offers creative strategies to navigate these situations, emphasizing the need to know your priorities and be flexible. Understanding the market and being prepared with research can make a significant difference.
Navigating Equity Negotiations
Equity negotiations, especially in startups, can be complex. Michelle provides tips on understanding divestiture clauses and the importance of having everything in writing. She also suggests consulting an employment attorney for complicated agreements to ensure you’re protected.
Securing Favorable Severance Agreements
As we advance in our careers, negotiating severance agreements becomes more crucial. Michelle shares insights on securing favorable terms, ensuring you have the financial cushion to transition smoothly if needed.
Learn more by listening to the full episode
This episode is packed with actionable advice and strategies to help you master job offer negotiations. Whether you’re just starting your career or aiming for a higher position, Michelle’s insights will empower you to negotiate confidently and secure the compensation you deserve.
Key Takeaways:
- Know your worth and be prepared to articulate it.
- Negotiate in writing to ensure clarity and protection.
- Be flexible and understand market conditions.
- Navigate equity negotiations with careful consideration.
- Secure favorable severance agreements to protect your future.
I highly recommend tuning in to the full episode to get all the details and stories that Michelle shares. You can listen to it here.
Thank you for reading! I hope these insights help you in your next job offer negotiation. If you have any questions or thoughts, feel free to leave a comment below.
Stay empowered,
Limor Bergman Gross
About Michelle:
Drawing on her 20-year corporate career as a Fortune 500 recruiter and corporate culture executive, Michelle provides a wealth of experience for her clients. Today, she guides executive leaders through the end-to-end job search process, from resume writing to negotiating offers.
As a sought-after speaker and trainer, Michelle is a trusted source for leading-edge trends affecting senior-level job seekers and board candidates.
Recognized as a civic and local leader, she serves on several community and volunteer boards (ask her about her Guinness World Record). She is based in Greater Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Follow Michelle on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellemerritt/
Website: www.dscareermanagement.com
Know your rights: https://www.hrdive.com/
