How to Negotiate a Starting Salary (with Tips Specifically for Womxn)

Posted on April 14, 2021 by Alysha Chin, One of Thousands of Career Coaches on Noomii.

There are so many parts of the job search and application process that are stressful but one of the parts people agonize over the most is salary negotiation. It’s becoming more common for companies to list a salary range with the job posting. However, if they have not you may be walking into the interview with no idea of how much they will pay. And if they have mentioned a salary you may be hoping to negotiate for higher compensation.

Two General Tips:
Try not to bring up compensation before you have a job offer. This will give you more leverage to negotiate.
Once there is a job offer try to not be the first one to give out a dollar amount.
Unfortunately, sometimes salary negotiation does not go this smoothly and you may find yourself being asked “what are your salary expectations?” as early as your first phone call with human resources. If this question is asked early in the interview process you can say something like “I would like to learn more about the job responsibilities and duties before assessing salary expectations.” And we have all heard tips that recommend saying things like “I’m sure my salary expectations are in line with my experience and qualifications” or “I’m sure that if I am the right fit for this position we will be able to come to an agreement on salary.”

The thing is we all know that this is not the answer they want and most times will press you further until they get an actual number. For me personally, this also feels awkward and unnatural to say.

So, what do you do?

Prior to your initial interview with the employer you need to do some research. I have heard this question asked as soon as the first phone call with the company so do your salary research as soon as possible!

What to Research:
Salary range for similar positions
Salary ranges within the company to know if they pay more or less than average
Salary range for a similar position with competitors
Pay range within the area where the job is located
Pay range for individuals with your experience and education
Other means of compensation within that company and with competitors
You can use Job Bank Canada to look up specific occupations and it will list the low, median, and high wage for different regions in Canada.

When answering this question, you can also emphasize your qualifications and the value you are bringing to the company. You can say “based on my years of experience in this field my expectation for salary would range from $50,000 to $55,000.” Or you can say “based on my specific training in this field my expectation for salary would range from $70,000 to $73,000.”

Always make sure you are saying a number you will be happy with receiving. It is much harder to negotiate a higher number once you have said something lower than you would be happy with. You may feel like saying a number to high could cost you the position but that’s why it is important to do your research ahead of time. You also do not want to work in a position where you are feeling under compensated. This can severely impact how you feel about the company as well as your work effort.

If you really like the company and they are not able to offer you the salary amount you are looking for try inquiring about compensation in other means. They might be able to give you increased vacation, a possible bonus, working from home privileges, tuition reimbursement, free parking, subsidized transit passes, gym memberships or other opportunities.

Important Reminder!
This offer is the baseline for your future earnings so it is important to take your time and carefully think about your initial starting offer prior to accepting.

Tips for Womxn:
There are biases placed on womxn when negotiating your pay. So, in order to combat these and get the amount you feel best suits your experience and qualifications here are some tips:

Have an amount you want to earn in mind prior to starting your job search. Think about your qualifications, experience, and unique skills and do some research. Having an idea prior will help you hone and focus your search and be less likely to settle for a wage you won’t be satisfied with.
You are allowed to ask for more. Unless you are positive that the salary is fixed get into the habit of asking if there is salary flexibility or is there any leeway in the compensation package. It may be uncomfortable but most employers expect it. It’s better to ask and have them say no than miss out on the amount that they were actually willing pay you or continuously question what you could be making.
Get comfortable with bragging about your skills. Know exactly what your unique skills and strengths are and state them confidently. Be prepared to defend why you are requesting a higher salary and know your value. Most womxn are taught to feel uncomfortable advocating for themselves but being able to unapologetically state why you are the best for this position is what will get you the job and the rate you deserve.
Be okay with walking away from the offer. I know in some circumstances not everyone is able to do this. If that is the case, accept the position for now but continue to look for something that meets your salary requirements. If you are in a position where you are able to walk away, do so. You will feel better being compensated for the amount you truly feel you deserve.