Strategies for Women to Negotiate Salary Compensation

Strategies for Women to Negotiate Salary Compensation Strategies for Women to Negotiate Salary Compensation Negotiating salary isn’t easy, and it can be especially difficult for women. In general, women are less likely to ask for more money when they are offered a job and more likely to stay in a lower paid job. Reasons vary, but some of it involves being uncomfortable discussing salary and being hesitant to ask for more. The Gender Pay Gap The fact that women earn less than men complicates the salary situation. It’s not just that men earn more, and women earn 79 cents for every dollar for every dollar a man earns. Payscale’s report on The State of the Gender Pay Gap in 2019 identifies significant differences between men’s and women’s earnings based on a variety of factors.   The only time there isn’t a gender gap between men and women is when you compare single childless men and women. After that, the playing field isn’t even. Jen Hubley Luckwaldt, Editor of Payscale’s Career News blog says, “The data show that women pay a penalty for marrying and having children - even when they never prioritize family over work. The only time the pay gap is 0.0 percent is when we compare single, childless men and women, with the same jobs and experience, who never prioritize the personal over the professional. What this means is that the pay gap is due at least partly to unconscious bias. Even when they have the same jobs as men, and work just as hard as their male colleagues, women with families are perceived to be less dedicated and suffer the professional consequences.” Given that you’re not starting on a level playing field, being able to negotiate a compensation package is important. It doesn’t even have to equate with your gender. It’s just as much a question of getting paid what you’re worth in today’s job market. If Youre Not Comfortable Talking About Salary, Its Not Just You If discussing what you have earned - and what you expect to earn - makes you uncomfortable, youre not alone. A  survey from Glassdoor reports  that  60 percent of woman and 48 percent of men believe salary history questions should not be asked. Women are also less likely to negotiate compensation,  two  out of  three women (68 percent)  do not negotiate pay  compared to just about 52 percent of men. When (and When Not) to Negotiate Salary Some experts believe you should always negotiate salary and ask for more money. Before you do that though, it’s a good idea to research the job and the employer to be sure that the compensation package is negotiable. There are some positions where the pay rate is set in advance. On the plus side, there won’t be gender discrimination because everyone is paid the same. On the negative side, what you are offered is what you will be paid. Some of the jobs which tend to have a fixed pay rate include: Retail, customer service, and hospitality low-level jobsHourly positionsEntry level jobsUnion jobsJobs that pay a prevailing rateGovernment and civil service jobsJobs at large companies with a structured compensation plan (you may be able to negotiate a higher amount on a range in this case) As you move up the career ladder and compensation becomes more competitive the gender pay gap becomes more significant. Payscale reports that female pay levels off at $49,000 at 35- to 40-years-old, while male pay levels off at $75,000 at 50- to 55-years-old. The largest pay gap is for executives with women earning 32.8 percent less than men. Many mid-career to high-level jobs have negotiable salaries. Compensation may be part of a salary range with a low, mid and high point or it could be paid selectively based on the candidate’s qualifications, which is when gender becomes a factor. Women are more likely to be paid at the lower end of the scale because they are starting at a lower price point. Because you are currently earning less, you may be offered less. This can add up to a significant amount of lost compensation during your working career. How to Determine If a Job Offer Is Negotiable The best way to determine whether a job offer is negotiable is to conduct as much research on the job and company as you can. You don’t have to say “yes” right away. Request some time to consider, and then collect as much data as you can. Use sites like Payscale and Glassdoor to research what the job - and you - are worth. If you know someone at the company, ask if they would be able to help you consider the offer. You can also ask if they are able to give you any insight into the company’s compensation policies and practices. When to Negotiate a Counter Offer If you are absolutely thrilled with a job offer, you can accept it right away. Or, you can take a little extra time to be sure. Carefully evaluate the offer, comparing it to the job you have now, the future prospects at your current employer, and the other jobs you have applied for. Consider the benefits, perks, retirement plan, stock options, and other extras before you start negotiating. Know which employee perks are typically open to negotiation. If everything seems perfect, you don’t have to ask for more money just because you can. Do remember that this job, if you accept it, is the baseline for your future earnings so carefully consider whether to make a counteroffer before you accept. Tips for Women for Asking for More Money Know how much you want to earn.Before you even think about negotiating salary, it’s important to know how much you expect to earn in your next job. If the offer isn’t close, you don’t need to take it. If you were expecting $60,000, for example, and the offer is for $40,000 it is probably too much of a reach. Rethink your expectations and realize this probably isn’t the job for you. Know that it’s acceptable to ask.You may not feel comfortable asking for more money, but that doesn’t mean it’s not okay to ask. It’s better to ask the question than wonder if you could have negotiated a better offer. For example, a candidate was offered a terrific comp package by her dream employer. Even though she would have taken the first offer, she inquired as to whether there was any flexibility. The company offered her more base pay and a bonus. If she hadn’t asked, she wouldn’t have known there was room to make a better deal. Be aware of gender differences.Taking the time to research salaries will help you learn if this is a role where women may traditionally be paid less. If it is, there may be a chance to get more. Be creative when countering, if the base salary isn’t negotiable, perhaps bonuses, benefits or a commitment for a future raise may be. Get the hiring manager on your side.The hiring manager can be your advocate for a better offer. If he or she really wants to hire you, they can push human resources or management to get you more. One way to approach it is to say something like, “I would be thrilled with the position, but is there any leeway in the compensation package?” That way you’re not directly asking for more, you’re simply inquiring. Be informed and prepared to make a pitch.When discussing a job offer with an employer, be ready to explain why you’re worth a higher salary. You can share the data you have collected, remind the hiring manager of your credentials, and reiterate your ability to help the organization succeed. Be careful what you say.There are good ways - and not so good ways - to ask for more money. There are some things you should avoid saying when youre negotiating salary  because they wont help you make the case. Keep it positive.When the job offer is much lower than you anticipated, keep any negative thoughts you might have to yourself. Don’t demand more money. Even if you get it, it may cause hard feelings. If it’s so low that you know you won’t take it, it’s fine to mention that the offer wasn’t what you expected. Thank the employer for the offer, and move on. Know that you don’t have to take the job.If there is no way that you and the organization can come to terms on a reasonable compensation package that is agreeable to both you and the company, if a counteroffer doesn’t help bridge the gap, you can politely decline the offer and continue your job search. The Key to Salary Negotiation Success Even though negotiating salary isn’t easy, the better informed you are, the more you research, and the more data you collect, the better equipped you will be to successfully negotiate a job offer. If you are willing to ask, you may be able to get a higher salary. Remember, if you can increase the salary for this job, you’ll also up your future earnings potential.