From Undervalued to Empowered: How Sophia Negotiated a Promotion and an 8% Raise

Feeling stuck in your career? You’re not alone.

Sophia, a senior business analyst, had been taking on director-level responsibilities but wasn’t receiving the recognition or compensation she deserved. Unsure of how to advocate for herself or navigate the modern job market, she turned to Coach DQ for guidance.

“I felt that my work was being undervalued, and that I was being undervalued,” Sophia recalls. “I didn’t know how to go about getting recognized or how to ask for the authority and compensation I deserved.”

The Challenge

Sophia had been with her company for several years and wasn’t sure how to leverage personal branding, social media, or job search strategies to advance her career. A friend recommended Coach DQ, and she saw an opportunity to gain clarity and take action.

The Coaching Process

With Coach DQ’s expertise, Sophia:

✔ Learned strategic job search techniques and personal branding strategies.

✔ Tailored her CV with targeted keywords to attract the right opportunities.

✔ Identified roles that aligned with her unique blend of business and technology skills.

✔ Developed confidence in advocating for herself in the workplace.

During their work together, Sophia’s division underwent a reorganization. She watched as colleagues who hadn’t been delivering results were promoted while she remained stagnant. Frustrated but determined, she leaned into Coach DQ’s advice.

“Dawn told me, ‘They’re not going to promote you just because you’re doing your job well.’ She was right! I had to start advocating for myself.”

The Breakthrough

Armed with a strategic approach, Sophia took action. She approached her boss with a firm but professional statement:

“It’s very unfortunate that there are no career opportunities for the top performers in this organization. It’s not good for the organization.”

She didn’t stop there. She proactively drafted a job description for the role she wanted. After a few modifications, her boss escalated it to upper management.

Within a week, Sophia had successfully negotiated a promotion—along with an 8% salary increase.

The Ongoing Transformation

Sophia continues to work with Coach DQ, refining her career trajectory. She is now exploring new job opportunities while addressing gaps in her resume and developing strategies to confidently discuss her visual impairment in professional settings.

“I’ve done very well with it thus far,” Sophia shares. “Dawn has helped me find ways to bring it into conversations naturally, without awkwardness.”

The Power of Coaching

When asked what has been the most valuable part of working with Coach DQ, Sophia doesn’t hesitate:

“Strategizing. I’m smart enough to recognize what I need to do to move forward, but I don’t always know how to go about it!”

Thanks to Coach DQ’s guidance, Sophia has not only secured a well-earned promotion but also built the confidence and skills to continue advancing her career.

Are you ready to take control of your career like Sophia?

Coach DQ helps top-performing professionals in marketing, advertising, and creative industries negotiate raises, land promotions, and uncover new career opportunities. If you're ready to take the next step, reach out today!