Estimated Runtime: ~7 minutes
Two scenarios can make or break your negotiation: having multiple offers, and
receiving a counteroffer from your current employer. Multiple offers give you
the most leverage you'll ever have. Counteroffers feel flattering but are almost
always a trap. Let's navigate both.
If you have two or more offers, you're in the strongest possible negotiation
position. Be transparent — tell each company you have a competing offer without
being aggressive. "I want to be transparent — I'm fortunate to have another
offer I'm also considering. Your company is my preference, but I want to make
sure the compensation reflects that commitment." This creates urgency without
manipulation. Companies know that good candidates have options. The key is
timing — try to synchronize your offer deadlines so you can compare them side by
side.
Your current employer matches or beats the new offer. Flattering? Yes. Smart to
accept? Almost never. Eighty percent of people who accept counteroffers leave
within twelve months. The reasons you started looking haven't changed. Your
manager now questions your loyalty. And the counteroffer was reactive — they
should have paid you fairly before you had one foot out the door.
Use a decision matrix to remove emotion from offercomparisons. Weight the
factors that matter most to you, score each offer, and let the data guide you.
This completes Module Seven. You can now research compensation, negotiate
strategically, optimize total packages, and handle competing offers. Module
Eight takes you into your new role — the critical first ninety days.