The Secret Language of Work (Paperback)

*NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER*

As seen in The Financial Times Business Books of the Month

“If you work, and you talk, you need this book.” - Jefferson Fisher, bestselling author of 'The Next Conversation'

From the creator of AdviceWithErin, the ‘internet’s big sister’ for your career, comes the straight-talking guide to what to say at work―and how to say it with confidence.

You know that moment.
You’re in an interview, on a Zoom, or sitting in a meeting.
Someone says, “Tell me about yourself.”

And your mind goes blank.

What are they really asking? Why does everyone else seem to know the rules? And why didn’t anyone teach us this?

Erin McGoff is here to do just that.

In The Secret Language of Work, Erin shares her signature, customisable scripts to help you handle the moments that matter most, from interviews and salary negotiations to setting boundaries, speaking up in meetings, navigating office politics and advocating for yourself. You’ll learn exactly what to say, word for word, so you can stop second-guessing and start showing up with clarity.

Learning how to say the right words, in the right order, in the right way, at the right time, is an art that too few people are taught.

But communication is the ultimate career advantage. And it’s a skill you can learn.

With Erin’s practical advice and no-nonsense scripts, you’ll master the secret language of work, build real confidence, and create the career you deserve.

Erin McGoff is an award-winning filmmaker and content creator―known as the “internet’s big sister" through her AdviceWithErin branding. McGoff has built a significant online presence with millions of followers, delivering candid career and life advice for Gen Z and Millennials.

She received a Pulitzer Fellowship in 2017 and was named a Forbes 30 Under 30 recipient in 2025. Her impact has been recognized by publications like the New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Business Insider, among others, and she is currently a contributor to CNBC.

McGoff lives in Washington, D.C., with an occasional trip up to her cabin in the Catskills she custom-built, with her husband, Michael, and dog Olive.