5 Ways to Prepare Yourself To Negotiate

We all know the statistics.  In general, women make 84% of what men in comparable positions earn. There are of course, myriad factors that affect the pay gap and a lot of things feel like they’re out of our control. BUT there is something that we can take charge of: choosing to negotiate. 

On average, women are less likely to ask for a raise, a better starting package, or a promotion. 

We are often taught not to be “self-serving” and this stereotype leads to the increased likelihood of  “gender blow-back” - subtle punishment for stepping outside of gender norms -   when we do get up the courage to ask for a raise. With practice and preparation, we can master the art of negotiating and start to get compensated for what we are worth (or at least closer to what we are worth!).  

Here are five ways to prepare yourself to negotiate:

1. Know Your Why

You know you want a raise. You know you deserve a promotion. You know it’s time to negotiate your benefits. But now you need to present your reasoning. 

Whether it has been a year since your last salary increase, you’ve taken on new responsibilities, or you’ve been doing excellent work and bringing in more clients/money to the company, make a list of your ‘whys’ to be better prepared. 

2. Know What You’re Asking For

Now that you know why you are asking, now is the time to figure out exactly what you are asking for. When you go into your negotiation meeting, you should have specific goals in mind so that you don’t just settle for what is offered to you. 

3. Do Your Research

Figure out what your work is worth by researching online. Find out what the market value is for your occupation, your area, and how long you’ve been doing it. Also, find out as much as you can about your company’s salary structure and how they usually address pay raises or benefits. 

4. Know Your Answers

Role play! Before the meeting, research and write down all of the questions you think your employer will ask and prepare your responses. It also helps to know exactly how you will respond to a “maybe” or even a “no”. 

5. Practice With Someone You Trust

Practice makes perfect. It’s helpful to run through your proposal out loud and in front of somebody you trust. This will help you iron out any rough patches, find holes in the presentation, and feel more confident when you do it for real. 

If you need additional support while preparing for your negotiation, I offer one-on-one coaching and have successfully helped women in the same position. All you need to do is fill out this quick application to see if we’re a good fit.