So what's the money like?

Nick Corcodilos in today’s “Ask The Headhunter” ezine embarks on a new theme: how to say it. He explains this as “advice on how to say what needs to be said when you’re talking to someone about a job.”

The concept dates back to a conversation Corcodilos had with a wise friend several years ago. Corcodilos was puzzled about how to bring the topic of money into a conversation early enough to avoid long, fruitless negotiations when the two parties’ dollar figures are way too far apart to ever meet.

The friend suggested raising the topic of fees by simply asking, “So what’s the money like?”

Corcodilos praised this approach as “casual … off-the-cuff … innocent … enthusiastic.”

Notice that while The Headhunter’s core subject is the job search, his example of how to use this line is from a business negotiation. He conveniently avoids how such a direct question works in a job interview when common wisdom says that the first party who mentions money loses.

Still, I like the question. There are times when it’s the perfect thing to say. Cut through the clutter and say what needs to be said.

Brings to mind John Mayer’s song, “Say What You Need to Say” and his repetitive, insistent chorus, “Say what you need to say, say what you need to say, say what you need to say, say what you need to say.”

Originally posted 3-31-09