I was on holiday when my client got the call
Two times in a row my clients have gotten offers while I was on holiday.
One while I was at Disneyland Paris. The other while I was relaxing in the Canary Islands.
I normally go fully OOO when I'm away.
Phone on silent. Laptop closed. The whole thing.
But these moments are the ones I do this job for.
When a client messaged me with "I got an offer" and I’m enjoying an ice cream in front of the ocean or standing in a queue for a Star Wars ride...I’m writing back to that message pronto.
I’m about to enjoy an ice cream before the news arrived.
I’m about to enjoy an ice cream before the news arrived.
It's an absolute pleasure to jump back in when this happens.
Not because I have to. Because I want to.
But look, the offer isn't where the real work happens. It's everything that came before it.
The work before the call
By the time an offer lands, weeks (sometimes months) of preparation have already gone into it.
The positioning. The storytelling. The confidence to know what you're worth and how to communicate it.
We've run through mock interviews. Stress-tested their stories. Refined how they talk about their impact so it's clear, structured, and memorable.
We've talked about how to handle executive interviews where the stakes feel different.
We've practiced closing conversations with concrete next steps instead of vague "let's stay in touch" endings.
So when the offer comes in, my clients aren't scrambling. They're ready.
It’s quick to cover what to say, what to ask and they know how to evaluate whether this is the right move.
I get to celebrate with them.
Then comes the negotiation
Here's where most people get nervous.
You've been searching for weeks or months. You finally get the call. And the temptation to say yes immediately is astronomical.
I get it. But this is exactly the moment you need to slow down.
The offer you sign forms the basis of your future earning potential, likely for years. It's not just about this role. It's about what comes after it.
Both of these clients could have accepted their first offers. They were good offers. But "good" and "right" aren't always the same thing.
So from a beach in the Canaries and a in the square inside Disneyland Paris, we cover the game plan together.
Here’s what that normally includes:
What's the total comp picture?
What's negotiable beyond salary?
What's the sign-on bonus situation?
What about equity, vesting schedules, start dates, remote flexibility?
Pretty much anything that goes into an offer can be negotiated.
Not every company will flex on everything, but once you've made it to this stage, they want to hire you. They don't want to start the search over.
That gives you leverage. Use it.
What I always tell my clients
When you get a verbal offer, don't accept it on the spot. Here's what to say:
"This sounds great and I'm excited to move ahead. I would love to see the offer details in writing so I can take time to review and get back to you."
That does two things. It communicates your intent to move forward without committing. And it buys you time to think clearly.
Once you have the written details, take a breath. Review the full picture. And then come back with a thoughtful counter.
You don't need to be aggressive. You just need to be prepared.
And if you have someone in your corner who's done this dozens of times? Even better.
Why this matters to me
I don't tell these stories to brag. I tell them because this is the part of coaching that doesn't fit neatly into a framework or a worksheet.
It's the human part.
The excitement in someone's voice when they've been searching for months and finally hear the words "we'd like to offer you the role."
The relief. The pride. Sometimes the tears.
I've coached people through tough markets, long searches, and a lot of rejection. So when the moment arrives, I don't care if I'm on a roller coaster or lying on a beach.
I'm jumping right back in.
Because the whole point of doing this work upfront—the prep, the practice, the tough conversations—is so that when the offer lands, you're not hoping for the best.
You're ready for it.
And if you want someone in your corner when your moment comes, that's what I’m here for.
I’m getting a new squad together next week.
James