How to Negotiate Like a Girl
Negotiation. Do you avoid it?
Every woman should know how to negotiate with confidence and style. It’s easier than you think and more often than not, it pays off.
So… How much money are YOU leaving on the table?
When was the last time you asked for a raise, lifted your prices, or negotiated a contract?
There's nothing wrong with a bit of negotiation. Throughout the ages, women have been taught to put up, shut up and not draw attention to themselves. But times have changed! We’re just as capable and deserving of pay rises as men.
You know this already.
But DO you really?
Studies show that 20% of women choose not to negotiate.
Ever.
“A woman who opts not to negotiate her starting salary upon graduation will forgo an average of $7,000 the first year.” (Harvard Business Review 2018)
This, coupled with future non-negotiations then compounds over the length of her career. The result is a loss of between $650,000 and $1million the course of the average career.
Why is this?
We haven't had as much practice as the boyz!
Relatively speaking women are still new to the workforce. Only 40 years ago or so, it was perfectly legal to fire a woman if she became married or pregnant. It’s also socially engrained for women to be more accommodating to others - we’ve observed since birth, our mothers, aunts, and grandmothers focusing on other’s needs before their own.
It's time to uplevel our skills. You’ve got this!
My Top Negotiation Tips for Women
Preparation
Do your homework and be prepared with a figure in mind. Look at comparison websites. Always go in higher than you want to allow room for a counteroffer from the other side.
Think like a Boss
Show how you can add value, show how you can make them/the company look good! Document it - authority may need to come from someone outside of your initial meeting. Make it easy for them to plead your case.
Ambition
Set out your goals so they can see how you are always moving forwards and contributing to growth on all fronts.
Look Ahead
If they come back with a no, don’t give up. Ask them to consider non-financial bonuses like your own office, a travel allowance, or other industry perks. No matter what, start the conversation about how to work towards a rise in the next 6 to 12 months.
Channel Your Inner Wonder Woman
Last but not least, the most important tip of all! Prime your energy beforehand to increase confidence and openness. If you don’t believe you’re worth this raise no one else will. Whether people acknowledge it or not, your energy can be read - this is not philosophy, it’s physics.
Stay beautiful! Everything's working out for you now. DM me if you want to know more.
Love, Julia
PS If you’re ready to upgrade your finances take a look at my Money Course and Free Resources.
References
https://wappp.hks.harvard.edu/files/wappp/files/social_incentives_for_gender_differences_in_the_propensity_to_initiate_negotiations-_sometimes_it_does_hurt_to_ask_0.pdf
https://hbr.org/2018/08/how-women-can-get-what-they-want-in-a-negotiation