"Women earn roughly 83 cents for every dollar men earn, and gender differences in negotiating a starting salary may be one of the largest contributors." - Marie Leech

Being a working mom can be challenging and negotiating a job offer while balancing work and family life can seem daunting...especially if it's not something you're accustomed to doing. It's essential, however, to ensure you're being paid fairly and getting the best possible deal. In this blog post, we'll share three quick tips for busy moms who are negotiating a job offer.

"By not negotiating a starting salary, an individual stands to lose more than $500,000 by age 60, reports suggest. Men are more than four times as likely as women to negotiate their first salary." - Marie Leech

Now do I have your attention?

Tip #1: DO Know Your Numbers

It's essential to know how much you need to earn to support your family's needs. Before starting negotiations, calculate your monthly expenses and figure out the minimum amount you need to earn to cover those expenses with a buffer for the extras. Far too many people overlook the buffer and end up living paycheck to paycheck. Use this number as a starting point for your negotiation and be sure to consider other benefits like health insurance and retirement contributions when assessing the total rewards package.

Tip #2: DO Your Research

Before starting any negotiation, it's important to do your research. Make sure you're aware of the average salary for your role and experience level in your industry and geographic location. You can use online resources like Glassdoor to get an idea of what to expect. Additionally, research the company you're negotiating with, including their financial performance, recent news, and company culture. This information will help you better understand their position and negotiate from a place of knowledge.

Tip #3: DO NOT Negotiate Via Email

Email is a great (and sometimes overused) tool for many things, but it is absolutely not the best option for negotiating a job offer. Negotiations are best done over the phone or in person, as it allows for a more personal and interactive discussion. Additionally, nonverbal cues like tone of voice and body language can be helpful in understanding the other party's position and working towards a mutually beneficial outcome. Put some time on the calendar of the recruiter to discuss the offer once you've done your research.

Not sure of the right language to use? 

Here's a generic script you can use as a starting point. We highly recommend you personalize it to fit your specific situation.

"Thank you so much for this offer. I am super appreciative and look forward to joining the team. Also thank you for allowing me time to review the details of the package and conduct additional market research. At this point, I was hoping to be closer to $xxx,xxx for the base salary with all things considered. Is there any room for flexibility?"

Then stop talking! There is no need to sell yourself again. You want what you want and they already know you're more than capable of meeting/exceeding expectations. You wouldn't have received an offer if there was any doubt in their minds. 

Need help with your specific situation? That's why we're here. :) Schedule a discovery call with us to discuss your current job search and how we might partner with you to help increase your earning potential.