(2 Minutes of Reading-lots to consider!)
Thank you Mika Brzezinski of MSNBC’s Morning Joe for continuing to shine a national spotlight on the need for women to define and demand their value!
Gender and pay equity have long been topics of policy discussion in this country. Women can join the conversation on a personal level by directing, rather than reacting to, conversations about responsibilities and compensation.
Creating internal operating principles and crafting external communications can help women be proactive in closing the gaps in gender and pay equity.
Here are 5 Do’s and 1 Don’t to guide you in determining your value in the marketplace and help you negotiate from a position of strength.
5 Do’s
1. Know the Market
Speak with people in your chosen field to learn the salary/benefit ranges. If you are considering working for a nonprofit, review their IRS 990 forms to determine the trajectory of staff compensation. LinkedIn is a great resource to learn about specific companies.
2. Know, and be Able to Articulate Your Values
Defining your values will help you prioritize your moral code and determine the most suitable workplace culture.
3. Define Your Operating Principles
While values are your internal compass, your operating principles are outward facing and outline how you want to engage with clients and colleagues.Be prepared to talk about your operating principles in an interview.
4. Determine Your Value Proposition
Identify the combination of skills that will make you an asset to an employer. Having a distinct value proposition and knowing the market will help you negotiate from a position of strength.
5. Craft an Elevator Pitch
Talking about who you are, what you do and what you are looking for succinctly and clearly helps your network work on your behalf. Your network wants to help you succeed. Help them by asking for a specific action (referral, introduction or informational interview) on your behalf. Open-ended questions typically result in little action.
1 Don’t
For Asking for What You are Worth
For Negotiating Fairly and Firmly
For Getting What you Want
Ask lots of questions. Be proactive.
Learn as much as you can.