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Customer Success Career Coach, Career Tips and Proven Job Interview Strategies For Every Customer Success Manager

Customer Success Career Coach, Career Tips and Proven Job Interview Strategies For Every Customer Success Manager

Written by: Carly Agar | Customer Success Career Coach
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 Customer Success Career Coach is the must-listen podcast for current and aspiring Customer Success pros. Join us as we spill the secret strategies and tips for building your Customer Success career. This isn't your typical snooze-fest – we're diving deep into the world of Customer Success careers. Whether you're starting from scratch (hey career transitioners!) or eyeing that next big promotion, we've got the playbook for you. I'm Carly Agar, your trusty 10+ year CS veteran and award-winning CS career coach, and I'm here to turn your career dreams into reality. Every Wednesday, join me and some amazing guests as we dish out practical advice and real-life steps you can actually use. No fluff, just stuff you can apply ASAP to score that dream job, snag that promotion, or become the team rockstar. What's on the Menu? 🔥 Pro Tips: Learn the tricks of the trade from seasoned pros. 🚀 Career Growth Hacks: Elevate your game, one episode at a time. 🔄 Unexpected Paths: Hear stories that'll make you rethink your career's GPS. Follow Carly on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/carly-agar/. For free job search tools, go to www.carlyagar.com/freebies. To work with Carly, go to https://www.carlyagar.com/apply Popular Episode Topics Include: Customer Success Career Tips for a CSM, Proven Job Interview Strategies and Professional Growth as a Customer Success Manager, SaaS Customer Success Career Tips for a CSM, Preparing for Your Next Customer Success Interview, Mastering Common CSM Interview Questions, Building a Standout Customer Success Resume, Landing Customer Success Jobs, Customer Success Skills Every CSM Needs to GrowCopyright 2026 Carly Agar | Customer Success Career Coach Careers Economics Management Management & Leadership Personal Success
Episodes
  • 116. 8 Negotiation Mistakes CS Job Seekers Make (That Cost Them Money)

    116. 8 Negotiation Mistakes CS Job Seekers Make (That Cost Them Money)
    Apr 15 2026

    What if the only thing standing between you and a higher offer is how you negotiate it?

    In this episode, I’m breaking down the 8 negotiation mistakes I see customer success job seekers make that quietly cost them thousands. We’re getting into when to actually negotiate, how to handle that first salary question without boxing yourself in, and the overlooked levers you can pull beyond base salary that most people miss.

    If you want to approach your next offer with confidence, use real leverage, and stop leaving money on the table, hit play, because one of these mistakes? You’re probably making it without even realizing.

    04:09 – When to negotiate that will give you the most leverage

    05:22 – How to answer phone screen salary questions

    10:50 – What else you can negotiate besides your salary

    16:14 – Why respectful negotiation won’t cost you the offer and exposes red-flag companies

    18:31 – Why you shouldn’t skip applying for jobs with low posted salary ranges (even though they are negotiable)

    FREEBIES & RESOURCES:

    🛎️ Actively looking for a job in Customer Success or plan to in the near future? Apply for 1:1 Coaching with me HERE

    🛎️ Optimize your resume for Customer Success jobs to land consistent interviews with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/resume

    🛎️ Learn how to sell yourself as the best candidate & walk into your next Customer Success job interview with confidence with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/sellyourself

    🛎️ Learn how to Master Behavioral Interviews with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/behavioral

    CONNECT WITH ME:

    ❤️ Let's be LinkedIn friends: www.linkedin.com/in/carly-agar/

    💭 Got any questions? Send me an email at support@carlyagar.com

    HEAD TO THE SHOW NOTES: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/episode116

    FOLLOW & REVIEW:

    Are you loving the podcast? I'd appreciate it if you could take a few seconds to do these two things:

    👉🏻 Hit the FOLLOW button so you don't miss out on any new episodes when they drop

    👉🏻 And either leave a review on Apple Podcasts or let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment over on Spotify!

    This helps me reach more customer success pros who need these insights.

    Thanks for tuning in to the Customer Success Career Coach podcast! I'll catch you next week.

    New episodes drop every Wednesday!

    Mentioned in this episode:

    We analyzed 1,474 CSM conversations to uncover why they’re leaving and what actually keeps them in 2026. Grab the free Talent Report here: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/report

    Show More Show Less
    22 mins
  • 115. The Passive Job Search Is Dead (And Hiring a Recruiter Won't Save You)

    115. The Passive Job Search Is Dead (And Hiring a Recruiter Won't Save You)
    Apr 8 2026
    What if the reason you’re stuck in your job search… is because you’re not actually searching at all?In this episode, I’m breaking down why “passively looking” isn’t a strategy (it’s a comfort zone), why handing your resume to a recruiter won’t magically land you opportunities, and the subtle mindset shift that’s keeping you stuck way longer than you need to be. I’ll walk you through what an actual job search looks like and why it’s probably a lot simpler (and more doable) than you think.By the end, you’ll see exactly where you’ve been spinning your wheels and what to do instead to start creating real momentum. If you want to stop “passively looking” and start landing real opportunities that actually move your career forward, hit play and let’s dive in.And if you’re ready to stop “passively looking” and start running a job search that actually gets results, apply for coaching HERE and let’s build a strategy that moves you forward.02:49 – Why Being “Open to Opportunities” Isn’t a Real Strategy03:42 – Passive Job Searching as a Coping Mechanism (and Why It Keeps You Stuck)05:47 – The Critical Flaw in Thinking Being Selective Means You Should Be Passive08:03 – Why Relying on Recruiters Won’t Land You Your Next Role10:18 – What an Active Job Search Actually Looks Like (And Why It Doesn’t Have to Be Exhausting)11:28 – How to Be Selective AND Strategic: The Three-Ingredient Formula14:23 – Why the “Passive” Job Search Is Dead and What to Do Instead15:36 – What It’s Costing You to Stay Passive in Your Job SearchFREEBIES & RESOURCES:🛎️ Actively looking for a job in Customer Success or plan to in the near future? Apply for 1:1 Coaching with me HERE🛎️ Optimize your resume for Customer Success jobs to land consistent interviews with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/resume🛎️ Learn how to sell yourself as the best candidate & walk into your next Customer Success job interview with confidence with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/sellyourself🛎️ Learn how to Master Behavioral Interviews with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/behavioralCONNECT WITH ME:❤️ Let's be LinkedIn friends: www.linkedin.com/in/carly-agar/💭 Got any questions? Send me an email at support@carlyagar.comHEAD TO THE SHOW NOTES: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/episode115FOLLOW & REVIEW:Are you loving the podcast? I'd appreciate it if you could take a few seconds to do these two things:👉🏻 Hit the FOLLOW button so you don't miss out on any new episodes when they drop👉🏻 And either leave a review on Apple Podcasts or let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment over on Spotify!This helps me reach more customer success pros who need these insights.Thanks for tuning in to the Customer Success Career Coach podcast! I'll catch you next week.New episodes drop every Wednesday!Mentioned in this episode:We analyzed 1,474 CSM conversations to uncover why they’re leaving and what actually keeps them in 2026. Grab the free Talent Report here: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/report
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    17 mins
  • 114. From Senior CSM to People Leader: How to Bridge the Experience Gap

    114. From Senior CSM to People Leader: How to Bridge the Experience Gap
    Apr 1 2026

    What actually separates a great Senior CSM from someone who’s ready to lead a team, and why does that jump feel so much harder than it should?

    In this episode, I’m breaking down the real gap no one talks about when stepping into people leadership and why being exceptional at your role isn’t the same as being ready to manage others. I’ll walk you through the mindset shifts, skill gaps, and behind-the-scenes expectations that quietly determine whether you get promoted or passed over.

    If you’re ready to stop feeling overlooked and start positioning yourself like a future leader, this will show you what to focus on next. Hit play and let’s dive in.

    And if you’re ready to bridge the gap and position yourself as the obvious next leader, apply for coaching HERE and let’s map out your next move together.

    01:33 – Why Moving from Senior IC to Leadership Feels Impossible and Why It Isn’t Your Fault

    03:16 – Why Waiting For An Internal Promotion Can Keep You Stuck

    05:16 – How Targeting Early-Stage Or Founding CSM Roles At Startups Can Be Your Ticket To Player-Coach and Leadership Positions (If You Find The Right Fit)

    07:41 – How to Identify Real Player-Coach Opportunities (and Avoid the Trap Roles)

    14:37 – The Must-Have Experiences to Compete for Startup CS Leadership Roles

    17:19 – How to Position Yourself as the Solution Startups Are Actually Searching For

    FREEBIES & RESOURCES:

    🛎️ Actively looking for a job in Customer Success or plan to in the near future? Apply for 1:1 Coaching with me HERE

    🛎️ Optimize your resume for Customer Success jobs to land consistent interviews with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/resume

    🛎️ Learn how to sell yourself as the best candidate & walk into your next Customer Success job interview with confidence with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/sellyourself

    🛎️ Learn how to Master Behavioral Interviews with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/behavioral

    CONNECT WITH ME:

    ❤️ Let's be LinkedIn friends: www.linkedin.com/in/carly-agar/

    💭 Got any questions? Send me an email at support@carlyagar.com

    HEAD TO THE SHOW NOTES: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/episode114

    FOLLOW & REVIEW:

    Are you loving the podcast? I'd appreciate it if you could take a few seconds to do these two things:

    👉🏻 Hit the FOLLOW button so you don't miss out on any new episodes when they drop

    👉🏻 And either leave a review on Apple Podcasts or let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment over on Spotify!

    This helps me reach more customer success pros who need these insights.

    Thanks for tuning in to the Customer Success Career Coach podcast! I'll catch you next week.

    New episodes drop every Wednesday!

    Mentioned in this episode:

    We analyzed 1,474 CSM conversations to uncover why they’re leaving and what actually keeps them in 2026. Grab the free Talent Report here: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/report

    Show More Show Less
    21 mins
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