There’s still a long way to go when it comes to closing the gender pay gap in the UK. According to government research published last spring, nearly eight in 10 large British companies still pay male employees more than their female counterparts – with the Trades Union Congress reporting a 17.9 per cent difference in current earnings between men and women across the country. While progress often feels excruciatingly slow, negotiating your own take-home pay is a good step in the right direction. Below, Emilie Bellet, founder and CEO of financial empowerment service Vestpod, answers our questions about how to get over the fear of being “difficult” – and get what you deserve in terms of remuneration.
What’s the best way to accurately gauge how much you should be earning in the first place?
Always do your research. There are a lot of websites available now to help you figure out what a good salary is for your position. LinkedIn, GlassDoor, and PayScale are all really useful for this. It’s also a great idea to speak with recruiters – who you can also find online and meet for a chat. These people collect information from both job seekers and key employers for a living – so they have a clear sense of what you should be taking home in terms of payment. It will help you to assess your value in the market, and it’s a totally confidential process.
How should you prepare for salary negotiations?
Keep a running list of your accomplishments. Too many people wait until just before their annual review to consider their biggest successes. There’s no way that you can remember everything that you brought to the table over the course of a year without checking in with yourself on at least a weekly basis. Keep a document measuring your impact – and translating that impact back into added revenue for the company whenever possible. It’s also useful to have a female mentor who will state your case on your behalf as well. A study published in the Harvard Business Review shows that women actually tend to be better advocates for each other than for themselves.
Is it a good idea to discuss your salary with your co-workers?
Honestly, I believe that it is, even if it creates some jealousy at first. Maybe one of your co-workers in another department earns 50 per cent more than you – but if you don’t have the awkward conversation, you’re always going to be in the dark. That’s not to say that your pay should necessarily match anyone else’s. It’s just a good indicator of what’s realistic for any given position. If you’re nervous, sometimes the best way to approach it is to tell someone your salary range. It opens up a dialogue and will help you to prepare your case for a raise.
What are some of the best negotiating techniques you have learned?
Firstly, be yourself. There’s no reason to pretend to be an alpha female if your style is less confrontational and more relaxed. Authenticity is key here. Secondly, be confident and use whatever tricks you need to feel powerful – whether that means wearing a lucky outfit, doing meditative breathing exercises, or striking a Wonder Woman pose in front of a mirror before you go in. Someone who came to one of my recent workshops told me that whenever she had to confer with her boss, she would get to the meeting room 20 minutes early just to get herself familiar with the space. If you’re nervous about demanding a specific figure, this is another moment to give a salary range. A final tip: don’t try and fill every silence when you’re negotiating. It undermines your point.
How should you deal with the fall out if your proposal is rejected?
If your attempts to state your case for a well-deserved pay rise have repeatedly fallen on deaf ears, you can try bluffing – i.e. telling your current boss or a potential employer that you’re going to walk away without more money. In that case though, you need to be prepared to follow through. Ultimately, everyone should be happy with the outcome of a salary negotiation. You’re on the same team, and you’re all going to have to contentedly work together at the end of the day. If that feels impossible, then you might be right to cut and run. Always remember: you deserve to be valued and adequately compensated for your work.
You’re Not Broke, You’re Pre-Rich by Emilie Bellet is out May 30 with Cassell Press.
