Hello !
Women make up a vast majority of under earners.
One of the reasons women under earn is because they don't know what they are worth in the job market. Here are five reasons why this happens and what you can do to
turn the tables if you're an under earner.
#1 They Listen To The Mean Inner Voice
You know the one, the one that tells you that you are not smart enough, talented enough, brave enough, pretty enough or just simply not enough. Let's call that mean girl voice Blair. Blair tells you that it is wrong to want more money or it's unfeminine to make
more money than your partner. That voice might even tell you that you don't deserve to have a great salary. Blair says things like "who do you think you are?".
That critical voice may haunt you the rest of your life, I know mine still does. The key is to ignore her. It's not easy, but it's simple. The more you ignore Blair, she will harass you less frequently. When Blair quiets down, you'll be able to hear the
other voice in your head, the one that tells you that you are worthy of a great salary and a job that you find fulfilling.
#2 Women Don't Research The Job Market
Women fail to research what the current salary is for the job they have or the job they are applying for. Salary.com is one of the best I found for researching salaries in a specific job market.
Your research, will prepare you to ask for a salary that is in alignment with your skills and abilities. In job interviews or when asking for a raise in salary, always ask for a number that is higher than you think you can get. That will give you room to negotiate down and
possibly still get the salary you really want.
#3 They Have Forgotten Their Accomplishments
Humility is a good trait to have, except when it isn't. It isn't a good trait to have when you are asking for a promotion at work or looking for a new job. Women are amazing creatures! We are great at accomplishing a whole heck of a lot of
things! However, when it comes to accepting praise and recognition, or asking for more money, we become self-effacing and down play our accomplishments. Don't do that!
Exercise: On a piece of paper, or preferably, a journal, reflect on the qualifications, experiences, and unique skills that you bring to the table. Write them down. It doesn't matter how small of an achievement or how long ago. This is a confidence
building exercise. Keep adding to your list as you recall other accomplishments. Refer to your list every night before you go to bed and every morning when you wake up.
#4 We Don't Visualize Success
Adults can have strong reservations about using their imagination to help them achieve their goals. It's not airy-fairy. There is
scientific proof that visualizing our goals helps us achieve those goals.
Athletes are trained to visualize winning the race, the tennis match, the swimming competition, etc... They vividly see themselves perfecting their skills and their techniques and overtaking their opponents or winning the race. Prior to the event, athletes practice, practice, practice.
You can use the visualization tool as well. Visualize what your life would look like if you made $25K, $50K, $100K or more above your current salary. What kind of work would you love to do? Don't worry about whether or not you are qualified. This play time. Dream big. Where would you live? What would having that kind of money allow you to do, that you can't do now? Hold that image in your mind as you fall asleep at night. Think of it
again in the morning before you get out of bed.
Visualization is a powerful tool, but it is ineffective if you don't take consistent action. This is a critical component to success. It can be something as simple as spending a few minutes each day on a task that is related to your goal.
"If one advances confidently in the direction
of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours..."
~Henry David Thoreau
#5 Societal Conditioning/Lack of Role Models
From a young age, many women are taught to prioritize harmony and
collaboration over confrontation and negotiation. These societal expectations can lead to women feeling that they must accept what is offered without negotiation to avoid being perceived as aggressive or demanding. Research shows that women are more likely than men to be penalized for initiating salary negotiations.
There are more role models for women in high-level positions today, but many of us grew up with very few role
models in terms of negotiation tactics. Seeing more women in leadership roles, successfully negotiating their worth, can inspire others to do the same.
To overcome societal conditioning, look for women who inspire you. Sara Blakely, the founder of Spanx, comes to mind. Mary Kay Ash, the founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics and Oprah Winfrey are two more examples of successful women. It doesn't have to be someone
famous, it can be a local business woman or a friend that inspires you. Emulate the parts of their persona that you admire the most. Imagine what they might do in your situation.
Conclusion
You may have noticed that the common denominators are feelings of low self-worth and lack of confidence and an unwillingness to rock the boat. Too
many of us, myself included, have no problem believing the negative comments that we hear both internally and externally. Yet, we doubt the positive remarks we receive from inside and outside ourselves. Believing the negative comments keeps us stuck. Believing positive comments about ourselves, can move us forward. Which do you choose?
If we are ever going to overcome under
earning, we have to pay more attention to what is unique and fabulous about each of us. We have to ignore the negative, un-empowering thoughts that are holding us back. We have to start acting as if we believe in our ability to have a great job and earn a great salary.
