Read More Got it! More Salary Negotiation – A Chance For Women To Catch Up With Men Salary Negotiation – A Chance For Women To Catch Up With Men written by Hannah Negotiating a better salary can be a daunting prospect at the best of times but research has consistently shown that women perform particularly poorly when it comes to these conversations. Add to this the pay difference between male and female lawyers – which, according to recent Law Society data, stands at around one third— and it becomes clear that women in particular need to rethink how they approach salary negotiations. Start the conversation The first, and potentially most difficult step, is to initiate the discussion. The topic is likely to come up naturally when commencing a new job or changing roles but is harder at other times. Annual reviews are a good opportunity to take advantage of an easy opening where pay can be discussed. Be direct and ask for a raise – talking around the issue or alluding to it won’t get you anywhere and is a mistake women frequently make more than men. Get your facts together It is important to be able to back up any request for pay increase with current data on average pay in the relevant sector. Having some specific examples of salary ranges for your role will add weight to your argument and will ensure your expectations are realistic. Women have been shown to fall down on preparation in particular even though the stats are likely to work in their favour. See our salary surveys for some help with this. Show your value Treat the conversation like a job interview— point out your value to the team and your strengths. Highlight your previous achievements and ways you can contribute to the organisation’s profits and success. Focus on how you are an asset— not on why you need the money. Think of the bigger picture Be prepared to be flexible and take other benefits into account. Extra holidays, training opportunities or travel might be worth just as much to you as an increased salary. Consider these alternatives and know what you’re willing to accept— or make suggestions if your employer doesn’t bring them up. Men excel at this and reap the rewards as a consequence. Be prepared to negotiate If possible, try to have your employer be the first to suggest a figure. Be prepared with a counter-offer and don’t feel obliged to accept the first offer. Women are much more likely to take “no” for an answer, while men will often continue to bargain. If you have to make the first suggestion, choose a figure in the mid-to-high range for your role and industry, backed up by your research. Don’t undervalue yourself There may be valid reasons why the organisation is not in a position to offer you a salary increase despite your best bargaining skills. Always act in a professional manner if your proposal is not accepted. Women tend to take rejection in the workplace much more personally than men so remember that it’s just business. If appropriate, try to set a date for a salary review in the future or agree to an increase if specific targets are met. If, however, you feel like you aren’t being compensated for your true worth, it may be time to look elsewhere. FEATURED BLOG 10 months ago by Do you have what it takes to be an IT Lawyer? Lawyers specialising in sectors such as banking compliance, property, and information technology (IT) are in demand at the moment. Some legal niches are cyclical but IT law is a niche that has shown consistent growth in recent years despite headwinds affecting other practices.Traditionally, IT law was considered as the law related to the provision, installation and maintenance of IT infrastructure, data servers a... 10 months ago by Hannah Salary Negotiation – A Chance For Women To Catch Up With Men Negotiating a better salary can be a daunting prospect at the best of times but research has co... 10 months ago by Hannah A Better Option: The West End Firm? Moving to a West End firm is often seen as a good option for City associates or junior partners... 10 months ago by Hannah Key Trends for In-house Legal Departments In the current, competitive, economic climate, the most prominent trend for in house legal depa... 10 months ago by Hannah How to Make Partner in a Law Firm Since 2008, tough markets, cost cutting and pricing pressures have all conspired to squeeze law... Ej Legal job search who we are what we do what we think contact us 76 Canon Street, London, EC4N 6AE Tel: 0207 400 2000 EJ Legal © 2020. All rights reserved. Site Map Cookie Policy Privacy policy Terms & Conditions website by Volcanic