According to a report from the Kapor Center, women earn only 18% of all Bachelor’s degrees in computing. Among them, only 24% of CS degrees are completed by Black or Latinx women. Only 3% of Black women have careers in the tech industry in the US. And there is evidence that suggests that number may be dwindling.
From an article written by Dominique Fluker with Glassdoor, over the course of a Black woman’s career, she is likely to make one million dollars less than her white male counterpart in a similar job role.
Salary negotiation is an important conversation, not only because of livelihood, but because it reflects how hard you’ve worked, and helps build confidence, esteem, and respect.
How Do You Negotiate
- Prepare with data and confidence– Knowing your worth doesn’t just come from a feeling, but also is backed by data. Websites such as Glassdoor, Payscale, and Levels.fyi provide salary information by region and company size. Look for compensation packages based on your job title, experience, and scope of your work.
a. Keep a kudos folder– A former manager told me years ago to keep track of awards, mentions, and work I’ve done on major projects to reflect my work and bring it into negotiations for my next raise. This comes in handy because often times your manager doesn’t know everything you put your hands to.
- Knowing HOW you negotiate– Having the right words to broach the subject of salary negotiation is vital. From an article posted to AnitaB.org, these are some conversation starters:
“I’m excited about this opportunity—and based on my skills and market research, I was expecting something closer to [X]. Can we explore that range?”
“I’d love to talk about total compensation, including base, equity, and benefits, as a whole.”
“Based on my recent impact and responsibilities, I’d like to revisit my compensation. How can we align on next steps?”
These are perfect for performance reviews, initial offer negotiations, and promotion discussions.
- Shifting Your Mindset
What I’m learning on the job is being an advocate for myself. Whether it’s needing or desiring coaching or help with improving skills. It’s not asking too much and it’s not selfish.
Self-advocacy- the ability to act or speak on your own behalf to express, your wants, needs, or desires.
We must be willing to advocate for ourselves. Sometimes we feel like what we’re offered is what we deserve or we are just grateful to be making that amount. You standing up for yourself and showing that you and your work are valuable isn’t just for you. It’s for those following in your steps.
Share your experiences because this will encourage other women and allows for a deeper conversation.