How to Negotiate Your Employment Agreement Unexpectedly

By Cord Harper, CEO of Endeavor Agency

February 21, 2020

 Sometimes the need to negotiate your employment agreement lands in your lap unexpectedly. Do you know how to handle this situation on a moment’s notice?


UNEXPECTED NEGOTIATING YOUR EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

The boss calls you into the office and hands you some papers. “It’s been a tough year and we have to make some adjustments,” he says. “This is an amendment to your agreement for this year’s bonus plan. I need you to sign it.”


You weren’t expecting this and didn’t even realize it had been that bad a year. You look at the new plan and see it’s a sizable cut to your bonus. “Um…I, uh, don’t know….,” you stammer not knowing what to say.

“Look, it is what it is. We don’t really have much say in the matter,” your boss continues. “The CFO wants these back by the end of the day.”


Don’t sign anything on the spot. The pressure applied is completely unfair, especially given the unreasonable time constraints. The company took more than a few hours to reach this decision and draft the amendment. You should have at least a few days to consider your options.


There are options. The challenge in this scenario is having enough time and clear thoughts to consider what they are. The best thing to do right away is seek expert guidance. Sometimes it’s hard to get an expert on the phone on short notice. When this kind of call comes in I make time to help.


Don’t hesitate to reach out if you need help to negotiate your employment agreement now.

Contact Endeavor

About Endeavor Agency


Endeavor Agency is the nation’s leading company helping individual executives, VPs, senior managers, professionals, and physicians find the jobs they truly want. Our additional resources, expertise, and career change specialists help our clients uncover more and better job opportunities than what they could access on their own.


Endeavor Agency helps rebrand clients to effectively communicate their value throughout the interview process and increase their odds dramatically of winning offers. Additionally, Endeavor Agency helps clients achieve better results in negotiating the terms of their employment agreements.


Endeavor Agency also provides executive coachingoutplacement services, and business consulting services. Endeavor can also help guide executives focused on the private equity and venture capital market segments.

Professional working on a personal creative woodworking project at a table during a job search
By Cord Harper August 3, 2026
Job search rejection can wear you down fast. Learn why building something of your own, paired with real conversations, helps you break through a job search slump.
Experienced worker preparing for a job interview, confident despite age discrimination/ageism
By Cord Harper July 29, 2026
Age discrimination in hiring is often unconscious, not malicious. Learn the real reasons behind ageism and how experienced candidates can overcome this barrier.
Professional-level job seeker preparing calendar for September employment hiring opportunities
By Cord Harper July 27, 2026
Is the September hiring surge still real? Learn why September remains a great time to build momentum in your job search and prepare for new career opportunities.
Executive job interview as candidate discusses leadership experience during a career transition
By Cord Harper July 20, 2026
Learn why employers don't always hire the most qualified candidate and how interview psychology and career coaching can improve your executive job search success.
Two female students checking in at the registration table for their college's career fair.
By Cord Harper July 13, 2026
Prepare for a college career fair with practical tips on networking, resumes, recruiter conversations, follow-up, and landing internships or full-time opportunities.
Professional candidate presenting a business analysis and recommendations during a case study.
By Cord Harper July 6, 2026
For case study interviews, discover what employers evaluate, how to structure your analysis, interpret data, communicate well, and deliver strong recommendations.
A professional is evaluating their next career move after missing out on a job opportunity.
By Cord Harper June 29, 2026
Learn the 10 most common explanations job candidates use after losing a job opportunity and how honest self-reflection can improve future interview success.
Executive following up with recruiters and employers after being ghosted during a job search
By Cord Harper June 22, 2026
Job candidate ghosting is frustrating, but silence does not always mean rejection. Learn why employers stop responding and how follow-up can reopen opportunities.
Job seeker reviewing automated job applications while networking remains the key to securing intervi
By Cord Harper June 15, 2026
AI job application services promise faster job searches, but do they actually generate interviews? Learn what customer reviews reveal and why networking still wins.
Professional networking conversation between business professionals discussing career opportunities
By Cord Harper June 8, 2026
Learn how building relationships inside target companies can uncover hidden jobs, improve interview preparation, and increase your chances of an employee referral.
More Posts