21. We interview an HR leader & employment attorney

This week, we spoke with Kevin Houng, an HR/people business partner, former employment attorney, and one of Alex’s longest friends, who’s helped launch dozens of venture-backed teams and guided executives through complex compensation decisions.In our conversation, we covered:How companies actually decide budgets for open roles, from scrappy startups to Fortune 500 giantsWhy larger organizations lean on rigid salary bands (and algorithms) while smaller teams often make exceptions for the right candidateThe truth about “we don’t negotiate” policies, and why there’s almost always more room than recruiters admitTactics for spotting your leverage, asking the right discovery questions, and pushing past the fear of rescinded offersWe also share:Kevin’s journey from Columbia Law School attorney to HR leader, guiding both employers and employees through high-stakes conversationsSurprising factors that tip the scales in negotiations, like how long a role has been open, or whether a company is in growth vs. downturn modeWhy being polite and persistent beats being “hard to get”, and the overlooked power of thoughtful follow-up notesTune in for an insider’s view from both sides of the hiring table, plus practical scripts and mindsets to help you negotiate with confidence, secure fair pay, and avoid leaving money on the table.For more:Book free consultation call with Alex: CalendlyGet our free negotiation worksheet: YourNegotiations.comRead our weekly newsletter: NewsletterInstagram: @yournegotiationsLinkedIn: Gerta | Alex