How to ask for a raise as a woman is a question that’s challenging to answer. That’s because several factors contribute to a modern woman’s salary. And it’s not always about her gender identity either. According to recent studies, the gender pay gap may have more to do with assertiveness than anything else.
Research suggests that women are less likely to ask for a raise than men. Moreover, women typically bid lower salaries than their male counterparts. So, why do the ladies hold back? The reasons might surprise you.
Table of Contents
A Woman’s Guide to the Workplace
How to Ask for a Raise as a Woman
#1. Remember, It’s Strictly Business
#9. Practice Makes (Almost) Perfect
When to Ask for a Raise as a Woman
A Woman’s Guide to the Workplace
Succeeding in the workplace requires grit and confidence. But lopsided values and illogical assumptions can rob a woman of her professional dignity. On average, females are only half as confident about asking for more money. Meanwhile, nearly 42% of males in the workplace have no qualms about requesting a raise.
So, why the discrepancy? Much of it depends on assertiveness or lack thereof. She must know when and how to ask for a raise as a woman. Then, she has to provide practical credentials for a promotion while remaining competitive and relevant. But like Annie Oakley said, “Anything you can do, I can do better.” Now is your chance to prove it.
However, knowing how to ask for a raise as a woman can be tricky. The reason is that there are numerous hoops you must jump. Aside from not under-valuing yourself, you have to also bring the full force of your feminine energy to the table. For many, that looks pushy and overly aggressive. But for others, it’s the key to success.
TIP: Immediately improve your chances of getting a raise at work by keeping a detailed record of your achievements.
How to Ask for a Raise as a Woman
If you know how to ask for a raise as a woman, you possess a priceless professional asset. So, become a valuable role model through frugal use of your power. Here are ten strategies to help boost your bank account:
#1. Remember, It’s Strictly Business
None of this is personal. Or at least it’s not supposed to be. Personal attacks at work are inappropriate and sometimes illegal, especially in cases of gender discrimination. And if you feel discriminated against at work, you should run your complaints up the chain of command first. Otherwise, never assume that people make decisions based on your sex or gender.
Companies typically do what will best serve the market. They want to increase the profit margin and boost brand recognition. Whether the leaders are male or female doesn’t usually matter. So, you can use that to your advantage if you keep the conversation strictly business.
#2. Do Your Homework
Higher pay requires more responsibility, thereby requiring better familiarity with the business. That means most hiring managers search for eager employees who know a lot about the company. They’re not always looking for someone to flash credentials and name-drop references. Sometimes, the biggest competitor has an intimate knowledge of the market.
Spend several weeks studying the company’s history. Then find ways to align its trajectory with yours. Determine where your values clash or collide. And try to discover the areas where your services will shine. After that, you can use the knowledge to lead teams, solve problems, and inspire others.
#3. Communicate Clear Goals
You deserve a raise because you work hard. And you also know what the business needs. So, communicate concerns, ask questions, and offer solutions when requesting more money at work. Most likely, your pay hinges on your performance. But consistently meeting goals isn’t always enough. In some cases, you have to streamline operations to make everyone’s job easier.
Either way, let managers know how you intend to proceed. Convince them to give you a raise despite their apprehension with clear, mutually beneficial objectives. You want to demonstrate your ability to recognize needs and engineer better results. And likewise, you must advocate for issues relevant to the business.
#4. Level the Playing Field
You probably work in a competitive industry. So, the study demand to determine the probability of a salary increase. Usually, startups can’t pay employees more money until they gain traction. And while they value their staff, prematurely increasing salaries could sink the business.
Meanwhile, large corporations have more wiggle room in the budget. However, your hard work can go unnoticed with such large crews. But know where you stand and calculate a salary at the top of their comfort zone. Then use these simple criteria to help increase your chances of getting a raise:
- If your industry is shrinking, focus on specializing. Find a way to help your company become an authority to their target market.
- If your industry is booming, focus on innovation. Lead your company toward the future with pioneering ideas that set you apart.
- If your industry is stagnant, focus on marketing. Attract more clients to increase profits and improve your chances of getting more money.
To level the playing field, you must first understand the brand statement and its meaning to the demographic. So, refer to #2 if you need more information.
#5. Don’t Fear Rejection
Did you know that the famous author, Judy Blume, received continual rejection letters from publishers for over two years? In other words, she knew her worth and discovered how to ask for a raise as a woman. Yet, the publishers repeatedly rejected her request until she refined her approach. It happens to the best of us.
You can’t walk into the room prepared to fail, or that’s what you’ll do. And you can’t become paralyzed by fear of rejection either. You already have the job and keep it. So, what do you have to lose? Worst case scenario, your manager rejects your request for more money, and you go home disappointed.
#6. Try More Than Once
If you don’t succeed after the first attempt, wait a while and try again. You’ll likely be subject to a performance review once or twice per year. And you can use the feedback to improve efficiency or productivity on the job. Then approach managers with a renewed perspective and better credentials.
Don’t be obnoxious or pushy. Be aggressive and convincing instead. Try not to miss exciting opportunities because you didn’t qualify the last time. Remember that each day is a chance to learn and grow as a professional. So, flex your expertise and have faith in the process.
FACT: Many women don’t want to appear forceful or ambitious. But that’s what it takes to get ahead.
#7. Over-Prepare
You might deserve a raise, and it might be clear to everyone in the office. But you still have to persuade your employer to agree. And you have to encourage them to come off more money, which is tricky if you’re unprepared. So, here’s a checklist to help you get started:
- Learn about the business
- Refine your resume
- Know who to contact
- Write down some questions
- Dress for success
- Get rid of distractions
- Give good reasons for a raise
- Consider their qualms
- Anticipate their inquiries
- Gather references
- Create a counteroffer
Your position may change with better pay. And that means you have to research higher-level jobs in the industry. But if you prepare, you won’t get lost in unfamiliar territory.
#8. Be Ready to Negotiate
Learning how to ask for a raise as a woman equals stomaching rejection without stumbling. But it also requires keen negotiation skills regardless of your gender. That’s because most companies want to discuss the details before paying employees more money. And they could shoot down your offer if it’s too high.
Don’t low-ball yourself to appease their tight budget. The company will return a counteroffer if they’re interested. At that point, you’ll enter negotiations to determine a higher wage that benefits both parties. Meanwhile, prepare to prove yourself as management pours through your resume to find reasons not to give you more money.
#9. Practice Makes (Almost) Perfect
Requesting a bigger salary can be intimidating, especially if you’re introverted or lacking confidence. It’s not always about the fear of rejection either. Sometimes, a woman prefers not to open pandora’s box because she wants to appear humble. But she should practice asserting her dominance in the field instead. And it helps to do a mock interview first.
See if a trusted friend will ask you some general questions about the position or pay. Then, practice giving your most thoughtful answers. Refine the response until it’s concise, direct, and persuasive. However, don’t expect the conversation to follow a script. You still have to think on your feet.
#10. Timing Is Everything
All companies go through an ebb and flow. Thus, you must align your request with their upward momentum. In other words, wait to ask for a raise when business is booming. But don’t forget to demonstrate how you helped make it happen. Remind management of your irreplaceable value when bidding a higher salary.
Be frank about your expectations but also respectful of busy schedules. Show up on time for any meetings or discussions, and always bring proof to back up your claims. The point is to make management feel compelled to give you a raise, not coerced. So, make your request as easy to consider as possible.
How to ask for a raise as a woman? You got this, girl. It’s all about confidence, preparation, performance, and timing. Besides, most men have no qualms requesting more money, so they’re already one step ahead. But the days of timid women in the workplace are over. Welcome to the next tax bracket.
When to Ask for a Raise as a Woman
If timing is everything, when should you ask for a raise as a woman? What factors determine appropriate timing for a salary negotiation? And why does it matter?
How to ask for a raise as a woman requires impeccable scheduling because the deciders work hard. Your willingness to move around their itinerary shows adaptability and respect for their position. It also demonstrates your capacity for handling unexpected responsibilities, which further persuades them to say yes.
Furthermore, an intimate knowledge of the goings-on inside the business can help. So, here is how to sync your clocks and rock their socks:
- Look at the Time: Find out when they adjust salaries (quarterly, annually, etc.).
- Meet the Press: Determine who is responsible for reviewing and approving payroll.
- Sew Your Oats: Discover what the company requires for a pay raise and do it.
- Play the Field: Consider your other opportunities with the company.
- Review the Tape: Wait until after your latest performance review to request more money.
Need more firepower? You can compare wages with similar professionals and present that information to management during negotiations. Bottom line: know your worth and don’t take less than you deserve.
How to Calculate Your Salary
If you’re not sure how much you should be asking, calculate the average income of someone in your position. Then compare that to what you make at work right now. You can ask the company to match the national average or meet you somewhere in the middle. But try not to fall at the end of the pay spectrum for your industry.
TIP: Use the PayScale salary calculator tool to get a ballpark figure for negotiations. Search wage averages based on location or job title.
Conclusion
How to ask for a raise as a woman is a question that only the wisest can answer. Women in the workplace are less likely to request a pay increase. So, that might contribute to the gender pay gap. Yet, hardworking women are equally deserving of higher compensation when doing similar jobs. But earning more money requires more than a Y chromosome. You must project your confidence to convince management to sign the check.
Prove your worth and earn more cash. Come ready with excellent performance, impeccable record-keeping, flattering references, and a polished resume. And just in case, get prepared for negotiations by thickening your skin against rejection. Chances are that your company doesn’t want to pay you more money regardless of your gender identity unless you can convince them otherwise.
About the Author
Sibongile Ngako is a Harvard-educated corporate fintech and compliance executive leveraging her expertise and background to help empower women professionally, personally, and financially.
