[Photo Courtesy: www.publicdomainpictures.net] career womenintech womenatwork womeninstem

[Photo Courtesy: www.publicdomainpictures.net] career womenintech womenatwork womeninstem
[Photo Courtesy: www.publicdomainpictures.net]
Twenty years ago, I learned a very valuable lesson about money. A young man taught me the lesson. His initials were PSG. We were working for a mid-size corporation, and the annual performance evaluation timeframe was fast approaching. Naturally, we all wondered how much of a salary increase we would receive. PSG was a very professional young man. He had a degree in Finance, and was working on his MBA. He was very ambitious, and often talked about his short-term, mid-term, and long-term goals. PSG told me that he always prepared for his annual performance evaluation by preparing a Powerpoint presentation, which included the following:

  1. His accomplishments during the past year
  2. How his accomplishments helped the company
  3. What he planned to accomplish during the coming year

I admitted to PSG that I had never heard of anyone preparing such a presentation! PSG also told me another salary negotiation strategy …


Salary Negotiation Tip
At the end of the performance review, when your manager provides the details on your salary increase, always flinch. Flinch means to act surprised and/or disappointed. Continue to maintain a professional demeanor, but use a facial expression to indicate your surprise and/or displeasure. Let your manager know that you were expecting X% based on your accomplishments. Ask your manager if he/she would “reconsider.” Most likely, your manager will say they have to check with their management or Human Resources. This strategy puts it into your boss’s mind that you expect more than the average salary increase. It lets your manager know that you are confident in your skills and abilities, and that you are not afraid to ask for more! For women, this is especially important because we aren’t raised to keep asking for more. We are raised to compromise, and get along. Even if your manager comes back later and says he/she cannot give you more this year, next year they will remember that you expect more. The following article illustrates how women applying for technology jobs are offered less than men 63% of the time. The moral of the story is to ask for your money!

Women in tech offered lower salaries than men — but they often ask for less: report


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