How to Ask For a Raise as a Woman: Get the Salary You Deserve

Research shows that women are less confident about asking for a raise in their current jobs compared to men—by 50% in fact. What is it that seems to get in the way of women in the workforce fighting for the compensation they deserve? As it turns out, there are many factors that contribute to this confidence gap—not to mention the pay gap, which recently gauged that women are paid 17% less than men.

Women face several unique challenges when it comes to asking for a raise. Many women are more prone to feel a reluctance to break cultural norms, having been socialized to appear agreeable and avoid confrontation. Some may lack self-esteem, or fail to perceive their true professional value, wrongly assuming they should be content with what they have. There is also fear at play: fear of rejection, or fear of being seen as greedy or aggressive.

If you're a woman looking for help finding your voice and asking for a raise, look no further. DoNotPay has the advice and tips you need to know .

7 Tips for Women Negotiating a Pay Raise

The key to successfully requesting a raise is to prepare your request ahead of time and to stand your ground during negotiations. While it is normal to feel anxious or uneasy at the prospect of discussing your salary over the phone or in person, women especially must fight to overcome these feelings if they ever expect to convince their employers that they are worth more when it comes to salary. DoNotPay has seven helpful tips to help you , so you can earn your true value.

Practice Being Assertive

Oftentimes when society views a woman as "bossy," it is really describing a woman who is assertive and knows her worth. Assertiveness is a trait that is absolutely essential for a successful negotiation. If this quality does not come naturally to you, try practicing asking for what you want in other areas of your life. Voice your opinions with friends and family, practice saying "no" when too much is asked of you, and rehearse your words before speaking. Not only will this help you communicate better, but you may find it helps to reduce stress and builds confidence.

Stop Apologizing

Do you find yourself saying "sorry" for the slightest things? Over-apologizing is prevalent in women who have low self-esteem or fear what others think. When it comes to your career, don't apologize for asking for a raise. Remember that at its core your job is a basic business transaction in which your employer pays you for the value you provide.

Quantify Your Accomplishments

The best way to demonstrate your value during a pay increase conversation is to prepare an outline of your accomplishments. Use these as proof of your hard work and the basis of your argument for higher compensation. Here are some examples of ways to quantify your achievements:

Use concrete data to show your positive impact on company growth.
Show how you've acquired new skills or certifications.
List any accolades or awards you have received for your work.
Detail the way you creatively solved a difficult problem.

Network With Other Women

Never underestimate the power of women helping women. Talk with close friends or acquaintances who work in the same field at a similar level. Try a practice negotiation with a partner who can critique your approach. This kind of networking can help you gain the insight and knowledge you need to find success in your hunt for a raise.

Do Your Research

Walk into any pay raise negotiation with firm numbers in mind by doing your research ahead of time. There are several reliable websites you can use to determine the marketplace value of your job or jobs similar to yours. Here are some popular sites with good pay calculators:

Prepare to Negotiate Benefits

Additional compensation may come in other forms besides money. Consider whether you would accept additional benefits as part of your pay negotiation. This might include things like more paid time off, flexible hours or the ability to work from home, tweaked expenses or even focused training and development.

Follow Up

It's always a good idea to get everything in writing, so you can confidently reference your official pay raise request and the response from your boss. A great way to document the outcome of your conversation is with a follow-up via email or formal letter. Make sure to thank your boss for their time, summarize any arrangements that were offered, and ask them to reply in agreement.

Extra Tips for Negotiating Salary

Here are some bonus tips for a better chance of higher pay:

Have a number in mind	Having a number ready is a sign of you knowing your worth. Your objective salary should be at the bottom of your range, and your aspirational compensation should be at the top.
Timing	Knowing when to ask is critical when asking for a higher salary. For example, don't ask for a raise when the fiscal year is about to end when budgets are already settled.
Be confident	If you know you are worth more than they are offering don't be reluctant to negotiate for higher pay. Advocating for yourself is a sign of confidence that can help you get the salary point you wanted.

How DoNotPay Can Help Women Ask For a Raise

Realistically, it can take a long time for individuals to build up high levels of confidence, and this goes for both men and women. While these tips have been specifically tailored to show women how to successfully negotiate a pay increase, the truth remains that the act of asking your boss for a raise is still a daunting one. We have one final tip that is sure to make the process even easier: ask for a raise with the help of DoNotPay!

DoNotPay has the ability to customize a formal salary negotiation letter that you can present to your employer when it's time to ask for a raise. It's quick and easy and will save you time and stress as you figure out how to approach such an important request.

Here's how to get started:

Search "negotiate my salary" on DoNotPay.
Enter the name of your company and the industry you work in, so we can find the right wage statistics for your role.
Answer a series of questions regarding your qualifications and achievements, relocation expenses, and other job offers if applicable.
Enter the new base salary you would like to request.

That's it! As a working woman, you'll love this simple and reliable negotiation tool from DoNotPay. It will make you wonder what else DoNotPay can do.

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