Tips for Talking Salary at Interviews for Women

Tips for Talking Salary at Interviews for WomenTips for Talking Salary at Interviews for WomenWhen youre a woman who is job hunting, youre right to be concerned about compensation. The gender gap (the difference between what men and women earn) can be significant. Its not just a question of women earning 25.6% less than men. Overall, thats the case, but there are significant differences based on the type of job youre working at, your marital status, the level of the standort, and the industry you work in. Payscales Inside the Gender Pay Gap Report details the difference, and its not only an interesting read. It can help you determine the best way to approach compensation when youre talking with employers. When Is Salary an Issue for Women? Salary may or may not be an issue when youre job searching. It varies depending on what you do and where you want to work. Whats tricky is knowing what applies to the employer youre vorstellungsgesprching with. In general, there is mora likel y to be fixed pay rate for lower-level, service, entry-level, and union jobs, as well as for positions that pay at union scale, which are sometimes called prevailing rate jobs. Many large companies have a structured compensation plan that pays the same wages, regardless of gender. Dont presume that you will be paid less solely because youre a woman. Youre more likely to have to discuss your salary and to try to get a higher one, when youre interviewing for mid-career to high-level positions where there are more variations in pay, not only within a company but also across industries. When you are considering jobs at a small company with unique positions, there may also be more parity issues than at a bigger employer. How to Discuss Salary During Job Interviews Whats the best way to discuss your current salary and what you expect to earn at your next job? First off, know that if youre not comfortable doing so, youre not alone. Most women dont like talking about or asking for mon ey. However, its much easier to do if youre well-informed about what youre worth. Here are some tips for making the process easier. Do Your Homework Come to the interview prepared with research and data. Use websites like Payscale.com, Glassdoor.com, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics wage estimates, to get salary information for jobs and companies. Youll be able to gather statistics on what jobs pay for someone with your qualifications, in your location, and even specifically for the company, youre interviewing with.Get Insider Information Do you know someone working at the company or do you have a connection who does? Ask your contacts if they can share any information on the companys compensation structure and what jobs with the company pay. Know Your Bottom Line Its important to know what you need to earn to pay your bills and have something left over. Consider what the minimum salary is that you need at your next job. Do some more research to make sure your expectations are in line with the average salary for the position. Also, consider what you would be earning in a similar job at your current company if the new position is a step up. That raise factor is important because you may not want to change jobs if youre not going to be earning more. Be Patient You dont need to be the person who brings up compensation during a job interview but do be prepared to answer questions about your salary history and how much you expect to earn at your next job. That said, if you do have a concern about whether the compensation is going meet your expectations, its appropriate to ask the hiring manager if there is a salary range for the position.Turn the Question Into a Discussion One strategy is to turn the question into a conversation. When you are asked about how much you make, share the information with the interviewer. Then inquire about the compensation for the role for which youre interviewing. That will give you some information on what the job pays so you can ta ilor your responses to further questions about earnings. Here are tips for discussing your salary expectations with employers. Try to Get Beyond Your Current Compensation If the pay seems like it will be a big step up from your current salary, one strategy is to mention that the responsibilities and expectations for the new role are more demanding than your current (or last) job. You can mention that you have more skills, experience, education, certifications, or anything else that will bolster your candidacy. You could also mention that your current salary is not competitive.For example I am currently earning $X, but Im aware that it is on the lower end of the scale for someone with my qualifications and experience. Be Positive and Confident One of the worst ways to get more money is to come across as though you need it. Go into the interview with confidence and a positive attitude. Be prepared to expand upon the credentials that got you selected for the interview, to share concret e examples of your accomplishments, and to close the interview on a high note.Be Flexible Its especially important for women to consider the entire compensation package. A job is more than just a paycheck. Dont turn down a job purely based on salary. Learn about future earnings potential, benefits, perks, bonuses and the compensation plan in its entirety. Many employers offer flexible work schedules, work from home options, child care, paid leave for parents, and other benefits. Know Its Not Just You Youre not alone if youre not comfortable talking about salary. Its the same for most women. Do keep in mind that it is acceptable to discuss it with hiring managers, and to politely end the interview process if it doesnt appear that the job is a match. That can be a smart strategy because your current earnings impact your future earnings. Unfortunately, the less you make now, the less you may be offered. Thats especially true as you move up the career ladder. Dont Sell Yourself Short Most importantly, dont short change yourself when youre in a job interview and talking about pay. Know what youre worth as an employee, know the differential between what you and your male counterpart may be earning, and get as much information as possible on what you can expect to be paid. The more informed you are, the easier it will be to avoid having an awkward conversation about compensation and to get paid what youre worth.