SoFi Blog

You filled out a job application, went through a few rounds of interviews, and you’re this close to securing the new job. But there’s just one hurdle left—the dreaded salary conversation.

I get it: Talking about money is uncomfortable. You might be worried they’ll pass if you go too high, or you’ll regret it if you go too low. But how do you know when you’ve hit that sweet spot and are asking for just the right amount?

When it comes time to talk money at the negotiation table, there’s a new law that could affect your next job interview. Namely, starting in New York City, Philadelphia, and the state of Massachusetts, employers can no longer ask what income you made at your previous job. (And luckily, more cities and states are following suit.) For job seekers, this is great news, and should ease some of the anxiety of figuring out how to negotiate your compensation package. Withholding current salary information can be a good way to make sure you’re not pigeonholed into a particular range when asking for a higher number.

A duchess once said: “You can never be too thin or too rich.” Many people would disagree with the first part, but very few would argue with the second. However, while you can’t have too much money, you might have too much cash.

How much cash should you have?

Is there a dream that you tabled years ago and having been meaning to revisit? Maybe you aspired to write the Great American Novel, but became accustomed to the office lifestyle. Or perhaps you’ve toyed with the idea of taking a mid-career break at 40 to lay on a beach in Ibiza or hike the Appalachian Trail. More people are taking a sabbatical or mid-career break in their 30s and 40s, whether to pursue personal passions, travel, volunteer, or consider a career shift.

Welcome to Hey Coach!, a career advice column hosted by SoFi’s Career Advisory Group, a team of expert career coaches dedicated to helping SoFi members reach professional success. Got a tricky career question of your own? Email [email protected].

Hey Coach,

My husband and I have made the decision to move across the country so we can live closer to our families in the Bay Area. We’ve been living in New York for the last ten years and have really planted roots—great friends, families and jobs—but we’re looking to start a family of our own soon and know being closer to loved ones is the right choice.