How should women negotiate salary during the offer process for the best results?

Hello, ladies! Are you ready to get paid what you deserve?

If you're like me, you probably dread the moment when a potential employer asks you about your salary expectations. You don't want to sound too greedy, but you also don't want to sell yourself short. You want to be fair, but you also want to be smart. You want to be confident, but you also want to be likable. You want to be a boss, but you also want to be a team player.

You know you need to try to maximize your compensation every time you change jobs, especially since most women don't try to negotiate and then remain stagnant for years. Your best compensation growth is during a job change, not staying through promotions. So if you're the type of person who likes long term growth at one company, making smart choice with compensation during the offer stage is important.

Sound familiar? If so, you're not alone. Many women struggle with negotiating their salary, and it can cost them big time in the long run. According to some estimates, women lose up to $1 million over their lifetime due to the gender pay gap. That's a lot of money that could go towards your retirement, your education, your travel, your hobbies, your family, or your shoe collection.

So how can we close this gap and get paid what we're worth? Well, it's not easy, but it's not impossible either. Here are some tips that I've learned from my own experience and conversations with friends in the industry.

Tip #1: Do your homework

Before you enter any salary negotiation, you need to do some research. You need to know how much your skills and experience are worth in the market, and how much other people in similar positions are earning. You can use websites like Glassdoor, Levels.fyi or PayScale to find salary information for different jobs and industries. You can also ask your friends, mentors, or professional contacts for advice on what's a reasonable range for your role.

Once you have this information, you can use it as a benchmark for your negotiation. You can also use it as evidence to back up your request. For example, you can say something like "According to Glassdoor, the average salary for this position is $75K, and I have more than five years of experience in this field, so I think $80K is a fair and competitive offer."

Tip #2: Be assertive

One of the biggest mistakes that women make when negotiating their salary is being too passive or apologetic. They might say things like "I'm sorry to ask this, but..." or "I know this might sound too much, but..." or "I don't want to seem ungrateful, but..." These phrases undermine your confidence and credibility, and signal that you're willing to settle for less.

Instead of apologizing or hedging, be assertive and confident. Use clear and direct language to state what you want and why you deserve it. For example, you can say something like "I'm excited about this opportunity and I think I can bring a lot of value to your team. Based on my research and my qualifications, I'm looking for a salary of $80K."

Tip #3: Be flexible

While being assertive is important, being flexible is also key. You don't want to come across as rigid or unreasonable in your negotiation. You want to show that you're open to finding a win-win solution that works for both parties.

One way to do this is to consider other aspects of your compensation package besides your base salary. For example, you might be able to negotiate for more vacation days, a signing bonus, a performance bonus, stock options, flexible hours, remote work options, tuition reimbursement, or other perks that are important to you.

Another way to do this is to have a range in mind instead of a single number. For example, instead of asking for $80K flat, you might say that you're looking for something between $75K and $85K depending on the details of the offer. This gives you some room to negotiate and shows that you're willing to compromise.

Tip #4: Be positive

Negotiating your salary can be stressful and nerve-wracking, but it doesn't have to be unpleasant or hostile. You want to maintain a positive and professional tone throughout the process and avoid any negative emotions or expressions.

One way to do this is to focus on the value that you can bring to the organization and how excited you are about working there. For example, you can say something like "I'm really impressed by your company's vision and culture, and I think I can contribute a lot to your goals and projects. I'm looking forward to joining your team and growing with you."

Another way to do this is to express gratitude and appreciation for the offer and the opportunity. For example, you can say something like "Thank you for your offer and for considering me for this role. I'm honored and flattered by your interest in me."

Tip #5: Be prepared

Last but not least, be prepared for any possible outcome of your negotiation. You might get a yes, a no, or a maybe. You might get a counteroffer, a rejection, or a delay. You might get a positive response, a negative response, or a mixed response.

Whatever happens, be ready to handle it with grace and professionalism. Have a plan B in case your negotiation doesn't go as expected. Know what your minimum acceptable offer is and what your walk-away point is. Know how to respond to different scenarios and objections. Know how to follow up and close the deal.

And most importantly, know that you're worth it. Negotiating your salary is not only good for your wallet, but also for your career, your confidence, and your self-respect. So don't be afraid to ask for what you deserve. You go, girl!