According to the White House, full-time working women earn on average 77% of the salary of their male counterparts. To earn the same annual salary as a man, a woman would need to work an extra three months. The gap is reducing, though, and there are some things that you can do to make sure that you earn the salary that you deserve — regardless of being female.
Know Your Worth
The first thing that women can do to ensure a fairer wage is to know their value. Do your research, and decide what is an acceptable salary for you. You can use websites such as Salary.com and Glassdoor to find out what similar positions pay. Also remember to look at job websites and position listings, which will often list a salary. Once you’ve established the norm, you’re in a better position to negotiate your salary.
Accentuate Your Strong Points
Image via Flickr by deradrian
Recent studies have suggested that there are scientific differences between male and female brains. Some companies are now hiring a more even amount of both genders to ensure that their company has a good blend of skills. Women tend to have a more contextual thinking style whereas men look at things unifocally. Having a fresh thinking style is hugely valuable in the business world. To bridge the gender gap, emphasize the things that make you different.
Be Confident
Women being wallflowers at work might be a stereotype, but it tends to be true. Men are much more likely to speak out and draw attention to themselves while women prefer to stay quiet and get things done. Don’t forget to sing your own praises while you’re quietly getting everything done. Contribute at meetings, share ideas and thoughts, and generally get involved. Not only will you feel more confident, but you’ll also find that you are much more respected.
Boost Your Skills
Studying will boost your confidence as well as your value. A degree such as a Master of Public Administration (MPA) is a great way to learn new things. If you’re working full time, an online MPA degree can be completed when and where you can make the time. Evening classes or webinars are also good, and reading industry books is a fail-safe way to keep engaged. Remember to share your studying plans and progress in courses with your boss. You might not have to wait until you’ve graduated to get a pay raise.
Plan Your Future
Finally, keep your eye on the prize. Thirteen percent of women have turned down a promotion because they weren’t sure that they were ready, according to Pew Research, and 27% have quit their job due to unhappiness. Have a clear idea of where you’d like to go and how to get there. If you’d like to be at home with your children, navigate toward a position that can be done flexibly. If you want to lead your department, keep your eyes open for potential promotions and opportunities to show that you have the skills.
Finally, don’t accept being paid less. If speaking to your boss hasn’t resulted in a fairer pay, look for opportunities elsewhere, and have the confidence to negotiate hard over your salary. You’re worth it.
Andrea is the Chief Chick of Smart Money Chicks. After filing BK twice (once because she panicked, second time because the pro messed the first time up), she realized that it all could have been avoided if she understood more about how her Finances worked and the options available. At that point, she wanted to help as many as she could never make the same mistakes again. Our Promise is that all the content you read on here is created or edited by Andrea