Advancing your career and boosting your earnings requires persistence. For women, however, the path is often more complex. Recent research indicates that the strategies successful for men may not be as effective for women.
While direct negotiation often works for men, this approach can be less effective for women, as explained by April Dykman of Get Rich Slowly. The study identifies two key strategies that may yield better results for women:
...the most effective tactics for women to advance their careers and increase job satisfaction and salary are making their achievements known and building relationships with influential individuals.
Women can highlight their successes by ensuring their manager is aware of their accomplishments. Additionally, they can seek constructive feedback and take credit for the work they contribute.
Accessing "powerful others" involves building a robust network, understanding the core dynamics of your organization, and actively seeking involvement in high-visibility projects.
Nina, a reader of Get Rich Slowly, shared her personal negotiation approach:
In every interview, I always ask questions that are specific to women. When interviewing with a female, I ask about her experiences, whether gender plays a role in promotions, if there are enough women in leadership roles, and whether the company has strong female role models. With male interviewers, I keep it more general, asking about the gender balance within potential teams or units...
The research found that men tend to have more success when they adopt proactive strategies. Specifically, men excel at seeking "external opportunities." They also benefit from gaining access to influential individuals.
The study's main takeaway? Identical career strategies produce different outcomes for women and men. To learn more about which strategies are most effective, be sure to read the full post.
Image courtesy of University of Salford.
