May 2025
It’s offer time.
Most people aren’t professional negotiators—and unless the role specifically calls for those skills, don’t hold it against them.
Instead, focus on alignment. Below are five powerful ways to ask the most important question at the offer stage—questions designed to surface expectations, preferences, and mindset—so both sides can arrive at a fair, successful agreement.
Our Favorite:
“Is your instinct to lean toward an offer that’s ambitious—maybe even top of market, with equally high expectations—or one that’s still competitive, but comes with more reasonable runway and support? No wrong answer, just curious how you naturally weigh those trade-offs.”
Conversational:
“When you picture the ideal offer, do you lean toward something aggressive and high-end, knowing it may come with intense expectations? Or do you prefer something that’s fair and solid, but allows for steadier growth? No trick here—just interested in how you think.”
Businesslike and Balanced:
“Would you prefer an offer that’s highly ambitious and likely to carry top-tier expectations, or one that’s competitively strong but structured for a more measured ramp-up and long-term fit? Just trying to understand your natural preference.”
Slightly Edgy:
“Do you get more excited by an offer that screams ‘top performer, day one,’ or one that says ‘strong fit with smart expectations’? Not a test—just helps us frame the opportunity right.”
The Theme to Emphasize:
“We’re not hiring someone for their best day—we’re hiring someone who can succeed over time. The goal isn’t to extract maximum output for maximum pay, it’s to build a relationship where expectations and compensation are balanced, allowing the hire to thrive, stay longer, and make a lasting impact.”
This isn’t about underpaying, it’s about right-paying, so both sides are set up for a win that lasts.