I’ve been traveling for the last few weeks meeting high performing professionals on the East Coast and it’s been a lot of fun. I also got to spend some time at home with my family and close friends. So it’s been lovely, but honestly, I could do without the Polar Vortex, Nor’easters and steady mix of snow and ice that’s leaving me…. Fuh…fuh.. fuhreezing!
During my trip, I gave a speech to 100 high performing up-and-coming professionals. As I looked out on the group of 20-something men and women suited up for a big day of meeting executives and possible future employers, I thought I would spend some time answering their questions about getting the career and life they love. However, halfway through the very active Q&A, I threw out a softball question to the crowd.
I asked “You just received a job offer that you’ve been working toward for several months. What’s the one thing you must do to ensure you get paid what you are worth?”
All I got were a bunch of blank stares.
Oh boy.
To get paid what you are worth, you must NEGOTIATE. Click to Tweet: 
I learned the hard way that it pays to negotiate.
When I first started out in the work world as a analyst for a Big 4 consultancy, I was so happy to get the offer that I didn’t even think of countering. I just accepted.
Then, a few months later, after finishing an 8 week training program with my ‘start group,’ I met up for drinks with one of my male colleagues in my class. He casually (ok, more like drunkenly) mentioned how much he made. It was $10,000 more a year than I made and we were in the exact same role. That sobered me up… real quick!
I fell into the trap most women do: I didn’t know I SHOULD negotiate, let alone HOW.
So, for all of you ladies out there who are fed up with not getting paid what you are worth, here are a few tips about how to prepare for the negotiation.
Check out this video packed with tips to optimize your negotiation strategy. (You didn’t know you had one, huh?). OK, you need to watch this video! Click on my picture below.
It’s from my “Expect More. Get More With Beena Kavalam” web show on Negotiation. Follow me on google+ to get the invites and reminders for the web show and online office hours.
Believing in you,
