Negotiation Archives - The Voice of Job Seekers

Giving Women The Courage to Negotiate Salary

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I am happy to continue this dialogue on the gender pay gap to empower women to be informed and inspired to seek better salary and compensation. Whether you are a woman mustering the courage to ask for a raise or looking to negotiation for better pay this episode. I encourage both men and women to listen to this episode to universally make the most out of your career trajectory.

Have you ever asked an employer for more money?

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Call and leave a voicemail or text me at 708-365-9822
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Aubrey Bach (@aubreybach) is the Senior Manager, Editorial and Marketing at PayScale and we are going to dive deep into Payscale’s 2016 Salary Negotiation Report. Although we discussed a few points with Lydia Frank two three episodes ago, we will attempt to parse parts of the report to provide help women particularly make gains in their salary negotiation strategy.

Here are some highlights from our discussion:

43 percent of PayScale users say they have ever asked for a raise or promotion during their career
Payscale surveyed 31,000 to benchmark their pay to help you ask for a raise
Aubrey cited the site She Negotiates stating that men are four times as likely to negotiate than women
Men and women are split on researching to negotiate. Women are likely not to
Millenial women express being uncomfortable in talking about money
Aubrey refers to an article she wrote about a Kate Winslet stating being uncomfortable about discussing salary
We talked about the negative stigma given to women when they negotiate. Or managers feeling OK when men negotiate and feel different when asks for more money
Aubrey mentioned the Seattle company Textio CEO Kieran Synder, who put statistical data around “aggressive” on a woman’s performance review would lead to more negative readings compared to men
Perception of “unconscious bias” is affecting men and women’s behavior
Women statistically initiate negotiations less often than their male counterparts and ask for about 30% less
When men see that they meet 50% of the job requirements they will apply vs. women needing to see 100% to think about it
75% of people who ask will likely get a raise
One million dollars is what many job seekers leave on the table in a lifetime because he or she never asked for a better salary and compensation package
Negotiate paid time off, education, and flexible work—not just salary. Consider time to relax and consider your career trajectory. Consider your lifestyle desires

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About Mark Anthony Dyson

I am the "The Voice of Job Seekers!" I offer compassionate career and job search advice as I hack and re-imagine the job search process. You need to be "the prescription to an employer's job description." You must be solution-oriented and work in positions in companies where you are the remedy. Your job search must be a lifestyle, and your career must be in front of you constantly. You can no longer shed your aspirations at the change seasons. There are strengths you have that need constant use and development. Be sure you sign up to download my E-Book, "421 Modern Job Search Tips 2021!" You can find my career advice and work in media outlets such as Forbes, Inc., Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, Glassdoor, and many other outlets.

4 More Ways of Basic Salary and Employment Negotiation

A friend recently negotiated a $10,000 bump in a salary offer because he used reasoning with a company that came after him. The current company paid $16,000 for his master’s degree, and asked the approaching company to invest part of what he would have to pay back. The company was impressed and agreed to work with him. Note that he only requested a portion and not the whole. Negotiation is an critical discussion in closing the deal. The ideal approach sets the tone for a prosperous career. Remember, reasonable. Read on!

1. Patient salary negotiation earns respect from employers

If you are tactful and respectful in making a request for anything using sound reason, the reciprocated respect is worth more than a salary bump. The word “REASON” is a powerful negotiation tool because it can make or break your efforts. To present a reason as a one-way often fails because the candidate is self-seeking. To offer sound reasoning is a value exchange: “I would like to work from home a day or two a week in exchange for working 6-8 hours overtime at the office.” This may work better with an employer who promotes work/life balance but it is only an offer.

2. You’re experienced. How about flexible?

If you have given a range of an expected salary, I hope is a thought-out, calculated, and measured answer. What about the other issues important to you, such as schedule, benefits, and perhaps holidays? If you have read articles on negotiation, they will say you should create a “must-have” list. Remember, be reasonable in requesting your “must-haves.” Negotiate with the professional relationship in mind.

3. Wait for it…in writing

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If you want clarity wait for the offer in writing before convening the Geneva convention. Depending on the professional level, the offer based on the value communicated. In lower level professions (hourly wage) the wiggle room is very small, which means you will have to consider non-salary negotiations (not true for every case but common).

An article in The Central New York Business Journal suggested,

If the desired salary isn’t available…make sure a position will offer other incentives prove beneficial later in a job candidate’s career.

Top Mistakes Professionals Make When Negotiating Their Salary. (2011). Business Journal (Central New York), 25(20), 10.

4. Salary negotiation is not a list of demands. It’s a business conversation

This approach is easier on both parties. No one is holding anyone hostage. Understand that for each “must-have” or request you make, expect requests. The success of this meeting will be the positive energy and mutual satisfaction (as stated in #6). Anything less than that you lose. Like the song says, “Know when to hold ‘em, and know when to fold ‘em…”

Again, the advice is basic, and by all means, read books on the subject if you desire a thorough knowledge base. Successful knowledge base rooted in expert knowledge of the value you offer and how to ask for what you want. Do you have tips to share? Please share in the comments.