Episodes

  • 129. 5 Salary Negotiation Mistakes CSMs Make

    129. 5 Salary Negotiation Mistakes CSMs Make
    Jul 15 2026
    Are you making one of the biggest salary negotiation mistakes without even realizing it?In this episode, I’m breaking down the five negotiation mistakes I see Customer Success Managers make over and over, and why they could be costing you thousands of dollars. I’ll share real coaching stories from my clients, the simple questions that can completely change an offer, and how to negotiate with more confidence without feeling pushy or difficult.You’ll walk away knowing how to approach your next offer strategically so you can maximize your compensation and avoid leaving money on the table. If you want to get paid what you’re worth and negotiate your next offer with confidence, hit play and let’s dive in.And if you want expert support from resume to negotiation, apply for coaching HERE and let’s build a job search strategy that gets results.00:45 – Why one word in your job offer could be costing you thousands03:39 – The salary negotiation shift most Customer Success Managers never think to make08:34 – The difference between getting a good offer and getting the best possible one09:04 – Why playing it safe during salary negotiations can cost you more than you think11:06 – The negotiation mistake that gives away your leverage before the conversation even starts14:44 – The biggest salary negotiation mistake Customer Success Managers make after getting an offerFREEBIES & 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/episode129FOLLOW & 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:If you want to learn how to land interviews and stand out in a crowded market, join me on Thursday, July 30th, for a free, live masterclass, How to Land Interviews for Competitive Customer Success Jobs: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/landinterviewslive
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    21 mins
  • 128. How To Impress a CS Hiring Manager (from a CS Hiring Manager) - with Eric Clouse!

    128. How To Impress a CS Hiring Manager (from a CS Hiring Manager) - with Eric Clouse!
    Jul 8 2026

    What do Customer Success hiring managers actually notice that most candidates never think about?

    In this episode, I'm joined by Customer Success hiring manager Eric Clouse to talk through what actually stands out at every stage of the hiring process. We cover recruiter outreach, resumes, and interviews, along with the mistakes that quietly hurt candidates. We also get into how hiring managers are evaluating AI skills today and what the future of Customer Success means for your career.

    You'll walk away with a much clearer understanding of what today's CS leaders are looking for and how to approach your job search more strategically. If you want to stop guessing what hiring managers value and start making stronger career moves, hit play and let's dive in.

    And if you're ready to build an outreach strategy that helps you stand out with hiring managers, apply for coaching HERE and let's work together.

    01:16 – Why hiring managers think differently than most job seekers realize

    04:28 – The LinkedIn outreach mistake that could be costing you interviews

    07:13 – What hiring managers actually want to see before they ever read your resume

    16:08 – Why tailoring your resume to the job description can backfire

    22:06 – The interview mistake that quietly reveals you're not thinking like a CSM

    25:54 – What hiring managers are really looking for when they ask about AI

    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/episode128

    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!
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    46 mins
  • 127. AI Won't Replace You as a CSM (But It Does Raise the Bar) - with Dan Ennis!

    127. AI Won't Replace You as a CSM (But It Does Raise the Bar) - with Dan Ennis!
    Jul 1 2026
    AI is not coming for your Customer Success job, but it is changing what great CSMs look like.In this conversation with Dan Ennis, Senior Director of Customer Success at Workato, we unpack what hiring leaders are actually looking for in the age of AI and where most candidates are getting it wrong. You'll hear how AI is raising the bar for interviews, assignments, and day to day customer work, plus the biggest mistakes job seekers and CSMs are making when they rely too heavily on AI. We also get into who thrives in AI companies, who struggles, and why startup experience may matter more than ever.You'll walk away with a clearer understanding of how to use AI to become more effective without losing the skills that make you valuable. If you are ready to stop worrying about whether AI will replace you and start learning how to stay ahead of the curve, hit play and let's dive in.And if you feel like the bar keeps moving and you can't keep up with what hiring teams want, apply for coaching HERE and let my team help you land your next role.00:08 – Why AI is raising the bar for Customer Success professionals10:00 – What hiring managers can tell about you from the questions you ask12:37 – Why generic interview assignments are costing candidates opportunities19:48 – The biggest mistake candidates make when using AI25:15 – What AI fluency actually looks like for CSMs30:10 – Why AI customers require a different kind of Customer SuccessFREEBIES & 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/episode127FOLLOW & 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:If you want to learn how to land interviews and stand out in a crowded market, join me on Thursday, July 30th, for a free, live masterclass, How to Land Interviews for Competitive Customer Success Jobs: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/landinterviewslive
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    47 mins
  • 126. 5 CSM Interview Mistakes That Cost You the Offer

    126. 5 CSM Interview Mistakes That Cost You the Offer
    Jun 24 2026
    The interview mistakes costing you offers are probably not the ones you think they are.In part two of this series, I'm breaking down the final five interview mistakes our coaches see Customer Success candidates make over and over again. I'm sharing why trying to sound polished can actually hurt your performance, the mindset shifts that can help you stop second guessing yourself, and the patterns that make strong candidates come across as less confident than they really are.You'll walk away with a different perspective on what interviews actually are and how to show up with more confidence, authenticity, and trust in yourself. If you're ready to stop overthinking every interview and start performing like the Customer Success professional you already are, hit play and let's dive in.And if you're ready to stop talking yourself out of the room before you even walk into it, apply for coaching HERE and let's work through it together.2:11 – Why ditching the “perfect” script could reveal more authentic interview answers4:32 – The shift that makes interviews feel much less intimidating7:31 – How one simple framework can help you stop rambling and keep answers sharp9:36 – The real reason more prep time might be holding you back instead of helping11:16 – The mindset switch that could boost your confidence (and results) in interviews12:53 – How to improve your interview if you’re still feeling stuckOTHER EPISODES YOU’LL LOVE:🎙️Episode 125: 9 Reasons You Freeze in CSM Interviews (And How to Fix Each)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/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/episode126 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:If you want to learn how to land interviews and stand out in a crowded market, join me on Thursday, July 30th, for a free, live masterclass, How to Land Interviews for Competitive Customer Success Jobs: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/landinterviewslive
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    17 mins
  • 125. 9 Reasons You Freeze in CSM Interviews (And How to Fix Each)

    125. 9 Reasons You Freeze in CSM Interviews (And How to Fix Each)
    Jun 17 2026
    How many times have you walked out of an interview and immediately told yourself, "I'm just bad at interviewing"?In part one of this two part series, I'm breaking down four of the biggest reasons Customer Success candidates freeze, ramble, or go completely blank during interviews. These are real coaching lessons pulled directly from conversations our team has had with hundreds of job seekers. I cover why memorizing answers is actually making interviews harder, the mistake perfectionists make when they try to prepare for every possible question, and strategies that can help you think more clearly and communicate with more confidence in the moment.You'll walk away with practical strategies you can use immediately to feel more prepared and confident in your next interview. If you want to stop telling yourself you're bad at interviewing and start fixing the things that are actually holding you back, hit play and let's dive in.And if you're tired of freezing in interviews, apply for coaching HERE and let's work through it together.1:05 – Why most people aren’t actually bad at interviews, but are preparing the wrong way4:03 – The mistake candidates make with interview prep that sets you up to freeze7:12 – Why prepping for every question backfires and the smarter approach to interview prep10:14 – An overlooked interview move that makes you sound more confident12:25 – The interview answer shift that stops you from rambling and gets you noticedFREEBIES & 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/episode125FOLLOW & 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:If you want to learn how to land interviews and stand out in a crowded market, join me on Thursday, July 30th, for a free, live masterclass, How to Land Interviews for Competitive Customer Success Jobs: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/landinterviewslive
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    17 mins
  • 124. How This CSM Got a 40% Interview Conversion Rate (With Special Guest, Mariia!)

    124. How This CSM Got a 40% Interview Conversion Rate (With Special Guest, Mariia!)
    Jun 10 2026
    Most Customer Success job seekers track their applications. Mariia tracked the data behind her entire job search.In this episode, I'm sitting down with Mariia, a Customer Success Manager who recently landed her dream role in cybersecurity. Because she tracked every part of her job search, we were able to see exactly which activities generated the biggest return on her time and energy and which ones created the most momentum.In this client spotlight episode, we unpack the strategy shifts that helped her dramatically increase her interview conversion rate, the outreach approach that changed the trajectory of her search, and why being more intentional gave her more opportunities instead of fewer.The result? Two job offers, five companies she ultimately turned down, and a Customer Success role that checked every box on her list.If you're ready to stop guessing what's working in your job search and start focusing on the activities that actually create momentum, hit play and let's dive in.And if you're doing all the things and not getting the results you want, apply for coaching HERE and let's figure out what's actually standing between you and your next offer.1:15 – The mindset shift Mariia used to land two dream job offers and confidently turn down five others6:20 – Which job seeking activities don’t actually move the needle in a CS job search8:02 – The two high-ROI actions Mariia focused on that made all the difference11:43 – How Mariia’s application-to-interview rate increased from 8% to 40%14:27 – How switching to quality over quantity and getting selective with applications completely shifted Mariia’s confidence and options22:47 – Why mindset and surrounding yourself with experts were key in Mariia’s job searchOTHER EPISODES YOU’LL LOVE:🎙️ Episode 120: He Applied to 1,000 CS Jobs and Got 0 Interviews. Here's What Finally Worked🎙️ Episode 117: From Laid Off to Director of CS in 60 Days (the 2 Moves That Made it Happen)🎙️ Episode 112: He Spent 2.5 Years Applying to Jobs the Wrong Way. Here's What Finally WorkedFREEBIES & 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/episode124FOLLOW & 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:If you want to learn how to land interviews and stand out in a crowded market, join me on Thursday, July 30th, for a free, live masterclass, How to Land Interviews for Competitive Customer Success Jobs: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/landinterviewslive
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    32 mins
  • 123. 3 Things CS Job Seekers Waste the Most Time On (That Aren’t Getting Them Hired)

    123. 3 Things CS Job Seekers Waste the Most Time On (That Aren’t Getting Them Hired)
    Jun 3 2026
    What if the reason your job search is not working has nothing to do with your experience and everything to do with the things you keep wasting time on?In this episode, I’m breaking down the three biggest mistakes I see Customer Success job seekers making that feel productive but are actually keeping them stuck longer. I’m sharing the patterns we uncovered from clients who recently landed roles, why some “good” job search advice is backfiring, and the one strategy most candidates are avoiding that is quietly helping people get interviews faster.You’ll walk away with a completely different perspective on what actually moves the needle in a CS job search and how to stop wasting time on things that are not getting you hired. If you’re ready to get more traction, stand out, and start landing better opportunities, hit play and let’s dive in.And if you’re feeling stuck in your job search and want to hear exactly what helped real Customer Success professionals land offers in this market, register for the live Customer Success Career Panel HERE.1:54 – Why customizing your resume for every single job is actually hurting your chances instead of helping7:25 – How mass applying to dozens of roles every week leads to fewer interviews13:25 – The biggest missed opportunity in job searching15:02 – How a rejected candidate landed an interview after being turned down16:17 – Why doing consistent, targeted outreach gets faster and better results18:06 – The three things to stop doing to stand out in your customer success 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/episode123FOLLOW & 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:If you want to learn how to land interviews and stand out in a crowded market, join me on Thursday, July 30th, for a free, live masterclass, How to Land Interviews for Competitive Customer Success Jobs: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/landinterviewslive
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    23 mins
  • 122. 5 Ways Top Performing CSMs Use Champions to Drive Adoption, Expansion & Renewals in Their Accounts

    122. 5 Ways Top Performing CSMs Use Champions to Drive Adoption, Expansion & Renewals in Their Accounts
    May 27 2026

    What if the biggest opportunities in your accounts are being left on the table because you are treating champions like power users instead of strategic partners?

    In this episode, I’m breaking down the five specific ways top performing CSMs use champions to drive adoption, expansion, and renewals without carrying the entire account on their back.

    I’m sharing the exact plays I used throughout my CS career, why most CSMs are thinking about champions the wrong way, and how to turn your internal advocates into the people opening doors, influencing teams, and helping you protect revenue.

    You’ll walk away knowing how to sound more strategic, create more momentum in your accounts, and stop feeling like you have to do everything yourself. If you’re ready to become the kind of CSM that companies cannot afford to lose, hit play, and let’s dive in.

    1:10 – Why most CSMs aren’t set up to leverage champions (and it’s not your fault)

    3:22 – The three must-haves that make someone a true champion, not just a coach

    6:47 – Turning your champion into a community builder with a simple Slack channel

    10:55 – Upleveling adoption by helping champions create a resource hub or wiki

    14:38 – Making your product stickier by baking it into new hire onboarding

    16:30 – Driving expansion with champion-led value stories that actually land

    21:44 – Teaching champions to talk ROI to crush renewal conversations

    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/episode122

    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:

    If you want to learn how to land interviews and stand out in a crowded market, join me on Thursday, July 30th, for a free, live masterclass, How to Land Interviews for Competitive Customer Success Jobs: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/landinterviewslive
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    31 mins