The growing competition in the job market is pushing applicants to find any way they can to stand out. There may be hundreds of applicants for a single job, especially for <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/highest-paying-jobs-without-a-degree">higher-paying jobs</a>.<a href="https://www.jobvite.com/blog/recruiting-funnel/">Jobvite</a>, a talent acquisition technology company, found from their customer data that only 8.4% of applicants are called for a job interview. Don’t let that number scare you though! They also found that of those who get called for an interview, 36.2% of them are selected to receive offers.How you prepare for that interview could make or break your chances of getting a job offer. This is why it’s important to research and practice some of the most common job interview questions and answers out there.

What’s your least favorite job interview question? Brooklyn, NY 📍#interviewquestions

Key Points:<ul><li>We’ve gathered these top questions from interviewing those in our community (like the video above), and job sites like Glassdoor and Indeed.</li><li>Not all job interview questions will be the same for everyone. What you’re asked in an interview depends on the role and interviewer.&nbsp;</li><li>These common job interview questions are a mix of what you might get asked from both HR and your hiring manager.</li><li>Most job interviews include general, behavioral, and situational questions.</li><li>The example answers provided are for guidance and should be modified to fit your situation.</li><li>No job interview answer is the absolute right answer. There are several different ways to answer any of these questions. What’s most important is how you convey your experience, expertise, and why you’re the best fit for the job.</li><li>You don’t need to memorize your answers word-for-word but instead practice them with someone to get used to how the conversation may flow.&nbsp;</li><li>It’s recommended to find your market salary range for the position before your interview, so you’re prepared for any salary-related questions.</li><li>Use our <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/salary-database">Salary Database</a> to get access to thousands of reported salaries and job data from our community.</li></ul>

&nbsp;<h2>Top 10 Most Common Job Interview Questions, Answers, &amp; Examples</h2>What’s the perfect way to land a job? A killer resume, a unignorable <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/how-to-write-a-cover-letter">cover letter</a>, and finally, a smooth job interview where the hiring manager falls in love with you (in a professional way).&nbsp;

If only you could read the mind of the interviewer, you would never have to fret over another job interview again. You can dream, can’t you? Well, while you’re dreaming, let’s kick your job interview preparation into high gear.&nbsp;The most common types of job interview questions are standard/traditional questions and behavioral questions. Other popular types are situational questions, competency-based questions, technical questions, and cultural-fit questions.Use this list of the most popular job interview questions and examples of possible answers to help prepare for your next interview.Pro tip: Use this article alongside a free job interview course. We recommend <a href="https://imp.i384100.net/19XoKR" rel="sponsored">this one</a> from Coursera!<h2>1. Can you tell me a bit about yourself?</h2>This is the #1 most common job interview question out there and many job interviews will start with this question. Think of your answer as “the hook” of a good story. 30% of interviewers will make up their minds about a candidate in the first 5 minutes of an interview, according to <a href="https://www.hirevue.com/blog/hiring/the-impact-of-first-impressions-on-hiring-a-data-science-perspective">HireVue</a>. When an interviewer asks you to tell them a little bit about yourself and your background, they don’t mean your entire life story. They want to hear your career story – with a good hook.

Start your story with the early days of your career and education, and add some personal notes from your background so you don’t sound like a job-wanting AI. Include how and why you wanted to pursue the specific career you have. From there, briefly talk about your work experience in ways that mirror what you would do in this job position, making you appear naturally as the best fit for the job.&nbsp;Don’t leave out any of the good details either. Mention your accomplishments and anything else that makes you the obvious choice for the job.Answer example: “Before I had 11 years of IT experience under my belt, I started playing with website development in high school. From there, I knew I wanted to do something in the technology field. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in computer science, I started my career with an internship as a web engineer working for a small web development startup company. The expertise learned in these early years set me up for my next positions as a programmer and systems analyst working in both retail and government sectors, learning how to develop for and support custom enterprise systems. That early startup experience mixed with my corporate experience led me to working for a well-known financial technology company as a software engineer, and later was promoted to a lead reliability engineer. I love learning about new technologies and ways to challenge myself as I grow in my career, and make it a priority to invest time into continually building my skills to stay ahead of the curve.”<h2>2. Why are you looking for a new position?</h2>

Be careful with this question! Avoid responding with any sarcasm, such as, “because I need money,” or, “because I need a job”. Sure, the answer to this question is obvious. We all work jobs because we need money, but the interviewer is looking for a specific answer.&nbsp;They may be looking for red flags like if you were recently fired and why. Another possibility is they want to see how committed you are to your career growth. They want to see what motivates you and the respect you have for your current or past roles.Either way, keep it light. You don’t want to end up talking bad about your current or previous employer, nor bring negativity to the overall mood of the interview.Answer example: “I don’t believe I’m being challenged enough in my current role. Although I enjoy working for that company and with my <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/discussing-salary-with-coworkers">fellow coworkers</a>, I feel like I am getting stagnant in my career. I am looking for other opportunities to grow my expertise and start the next chapter in my career path.”If you’re looking for a new position because you were let go and don’t currently have a job, describe that in a brief way like the following examples show. You may have to tweak these to match your own situation.Answer example: “I was let go from my most recent role due to budget constraints and left on good terms.”Answer example: “I was <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/what-to-do-when-you-get-laid-off">recently laid off </a>from my most recent position due to the company outsourcing my department. I stayed on to help with that transition and left on good terms.”<h2>3. What are your salary expectations?</h2>When asked what your salary expectations are for a job, there is more than one way to answer. It’s also your first step to negotiating your salary by setting those initial expectations. But you can’t set those expectations without knowing your own market salary range.It’s best if you can get the interviewer to provide their budget first but either way, you should have your market rate in your back pocket in case they push for it. This is where our free <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/free-market-research-guide">Market Research Guide</a> and <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/salary-database">Salary Database</a> come in handy. Use this guide and salary data to help you in your research and see what matches up with your own experience and skill set.&nbsp;

&nbsp;Answer example: “I have an expected range in mind based on my market rate, but it's too early in the interview process for me to gauge the full scope of this position. Would you mind sharing the budget for this role?” – The founder of Salary Transparent Street, Hannah Williams, got a $25,000 <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/how-to-ask-for-a-raise">raise</a> from using a <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/salary-negotiation-scripts">salary negotiation script</a> like this!If an interviewer asks for your current or last salary, there are <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/pay-transparency-laws">pay transparency laws</a> in 36 states that may get them in trouble.&nbsp;

You can deflect the answer respectfully. Or you can reframe your answer to express your market salary and expectations.&nbsp;Answer example: “Before we discuss salary, can you please tell me more about the role and what it fully entails?”

Highest Salaries We Interviewed In 2023 | Salary Transparent Street Compilation

<h2>4. What professional achievement are you most proud of?</h2>When an interviewer asks this, they don’t only want to know what the achievement was. They also want to know what you did, what the result was for the company, and why it’s the one you’re most proud of. If you don’t cover this in your initial answer, they will most likely follow up with those points.The STAR Interview method is perfect for answering behavioral questions like this. STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result and it’s a specific format to help fully convey your contributions.Answer example:Situation: "In my previous role as a marketing manager at ABC Company, we saw declining engagement with our email marketing campaigns, which was impacting our overall sales."Task: "I was tasked with updating our email marketing strategy to increase engagement and drive more sales. The goal was to achieve a 15% increase in open rates and a 10% increase in click-through rates within six months."Action: "I started by analyzing our current email campaigns to identify gaps and areas for improvement. I then segmented our email list based on customer behavior and preferences to ensure more personalized content and redesigned the email templates to be more visually appealing and mobile-friendly. I also implemented A/B testing for subject lines and call-to-action buttons to determine what resonated best with our audience. This was all while working closely with the content team to create relevant content that addressed the needs and interests of our subscribers."Result: "As a result, we saw a significant improvement in our email marketing performance. Our open rates increased by 20%, our click-through rates by 15%, and 20% increase in sales. This also strengthened our relationship with our customers by providing them with more relevant and engaging content."Use this course to help: <a href="https://imp.i384100.net/6y0X1r" rel="sponsored">Accomplishment STAR Techniques for Job Interviews</a><h2>5. What are your strengths and weaknesses?</h2>

For this question, identify one or more of your strengths and weaknesses, and provide clear examples of each. Bonus points if you can provide examples that align with the required skills of the position.The weaknesses you want to mention should be realistic but don’t make you look bad. Don’t mention that you have trouble waking up on time, but do mention a subtle weakness like communication with an example of what you’ve done to improve that skill.Answer example:&nbsp;Strengths: "One of my key strengths is my strong troubleshooting skills and the ability to communicate effectively how to implement solutions based on that troubleshooting data. Communication is one of the most important skills in any role, for a lack of communication can be what deadlocks a project. For example, when I was faced with an enterprise-wide system outage, I had to troubleshoot the issue and find a solution quickly. I also had to communicate my progress in parallel to working on the problem itself, keeping all stakeholders in the loop so they can make sure there is a constant stream of communication also going out to clients. Because of this, the team was able to implement a solution that same day and there was no financial impact.&nbsp;Weaknesses: "An area of weakness I have is my tendency to be overly detail-oriented in my communication to higher-level stakeholders. Adding too much low-level information about an issue can cause misunderstandings and overly complicate things, which has happened to me many times during system outages. To address this, my communication includes simplified high-level detail that goes out to a high-level audience, while still keeping those detailed notes for the technical team and for record. This approach has helped to maintain a better understanding between cross-functional teams.”<h2>6. Can you describe a challenge you've faced at work and how you handled it?</h2>This is another behavioral question perfect for using the STAR method to answer. Describe what the situation was that posed a challenge, what your task and goal was, actions you took, and the end-result from those actions.Answer example:&nbsp;Situation: "In my previous role as a project manager at EFG Company, we were tasked with launching a new product line within a tight deadline of three months."Task: "My responsibility was to coordinate the efforts of the marketing, design, and production teams to ensure we met the launch date without compromising quality."Action: "I started by setting clear milestones and deadlines for each team and implemented weekly progress meetings to track our status. I also introduced a shared project management tool that improved asynchronous communication and collaboration among the team. When we faced delays from the design team, I set up brainstorming sessions to identify solutions and reallocated resources to maintain our timeline."Result: "As a result, we successfully launched the product line on time. The launch led to a 15% increase in quarterly sales and positive feedback from both customers and stakeholders."

<h2>7. Why do you want to work here?</h2>With this question the interviewer wants to see what you know about the company and how much research you did about the role. They also want to know your intentions for working there and if you’re someone that they can rely on to fulfill the requirements of the role.Answer example: “I’ve done a lot of research on the company and have used their software in many of my past jobs. Their values also align well with my own. I think that when you work for a company that you believe in and want to grow with, that adds to your job satisfaction and overall quality of life. When you’re in that type of alignment, your career path can evolve in some amazing ways. I also think this specific role perfectly matches up with my experience, expertise, and my future career goals.”<h2>8. Are there any other companies you’re interviewing with or considering?</h2>Companies want to gauge their applicants job search progress to help with their own hiring process. This is one of those questions that helps them see if there will be any competition for them when hiring you. If you have multiple companies you’re interviewing for or have offers from, feel free to say that you’re keeping your options open. And if you don’t, that’s okay to share too.

Answer example: "Yes, I’m currently exploring a few opportunities with other companies in the industry that align with my career goals and professional interests. However, I am particularly excited about this position with your company because of [specific reasons related to the company, such as its projects, culture, values, etc.].”If you don’t have any others you’re interviewing for, the following example will do.Answer example: “Not yet, since I only recently started applying to a few roles. However, I am particularly excited about this position with your company because of [specific reasons related to the company, such as its projects, culture, values, etc.].”<h2>9. Why should we hire you?</h2>This question is similar to #7, “Why do you want to work here," but focuses more on you rather than what's appealing about the company or role. The interviewer wants to know what you can bring to the company if you were to be hired.Briefly explain how your contributions will add business value to the company. What results do you expect to yield and how will those help advance the company? Your answer will also come in handy when <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/negotiate-salary-offer">negotiating salary</a>.Answer example: “My specific skill set and experience perfectly aligns with the requirements for this role. I’ve worked as an associate for 3 years, a manager for 4 years, and over the past 2 years I have served as a regional director. I’ve also worked in several different sectors, creating the perfect combination to be able to adapt to different situations and see solutions to problems that others may not. These sort of unique advantages could help the company grow in new ways as I do alongside it.”

<h2>10. Do you have any questions for us?</h2>This is the most fun question to answer! You get to interview the interviewer, find out more about the role that wasn’t discussed, ask about salary expectations if they weren’t discussed, and ask about other things to <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/negotiate-benefits">negotiate like benefits</a>.&nbsp;Make sure you have at least one or two questions ready to go for this section of the interview.

Answer examples:<ul><li>Can you tell me more about the day-to-day responsibilities of this job?</li><li>What are the most immediate projects that need to be addressed?</li><li>How do you measure success in this role?</li><li>What does a typical day look like for someone in this position?</li><li>Can you describe the team I would be working with?</li><li>How would you describe the company culture?</li><li>How does the company support professional development and career growth?</li><li>What opportunities for advancement are available within the company?</li><li>What is the salary range for the position?</li><li>What benefits does the company offer for this role?</li><li>What are the next steps in the interview process?</li><li>Is there any additional information I can provide to assist with the decision-making process?</li><li>Who should I follow up with if I have any further questions?</li></ul><h2>Bonus Interview Questions</h2>The above list of the most common interview questions and answers only scratches the surface. Some interviewers may ask entirely different questions from others, even within the same industry.There are a few additional key questions I’ve seen through years of interviewing for several different roles. These include both behavioral and situational questions.<ul><li>Walk me through the process of how you do X. (X could be anything like “writing an article," “fixing a code defect," “managing a project," etc)</li><li>Tell me about a time you had to deliver on multiple competing priorities. What did you do, and what were the results?</li><li>When do you try to push through and solve a problem on your own, and when do you involve others on your team?</li><li>Describe a situation when you disagreed with someone at work. What did you do, and what was the result?</li></ul>Don’t limit yourself to these questions and also think of a few technical questions they may ask you (especially if you're applying for <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/highest-paying-trade-jobs">trade jobs</a>). A helpful way to think of other possible questions is to look at the job description. From there, you can determine if you need to prepare answers for any additional questions.<h2>Practice With a Partner</h2>You can prepare all the answers to possible job interview questions you want, but don’t get stuck in trying to memorize them all. It’ll be more helpful to practice your answers conversationally with someone else. This way, you won’t sound like a robot and your responses will be more sincere.

You can also use your practice partner as someone to talk about any fears you have. Maybe they can provide a perspective that will help you better navigate the interview.The more you practice, the better you’ll get and the less you’ll dread the day of your interview. Once that day comes around, it will feel more natural and your interview will go much better when you aren’t stuck in your head the whole time.&nbsp;You got this!! We believe in you.Alright, that wraps it up for this week! I’m Daniella Flores, a former software engineer turned career researcher who writes about tech, money, and different jobs. My work has been featured in TIME, CNBC, CNET, Business Insider, and Investopedia (among many others). I’m extremely passionate about workers' rights and financial freedom, so it’s a pleasure to be able to bring you this type of content through the <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub">Resource Hub</a> (thank you for the opportunity, Hannah!) If you want to connect, follow me on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellamarquez/">Linkedin</a>. Chat soon!If this guide helps you improve your negotiation skills, let us know! Send us an email ➡️ hello@checksalaries.comFor more Salary Transparent Street resources:<ul><li>Want to join the movement? Explore over 5,000+ individually reported salaries nationwide across all industries in our <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/salary-database">Salary Database</a>!</li><li>Do you know if you're being underpaid? <a href="https://salarytransparentstreet.beehiiv.com/p/underpaid-quiz">Take our free quiz</a> to find out!</li><li>Need help determining your market rate? Download our free <a href="https://view.flodesk.com/pages/626ccc8e1e8046b220253e47">Market Research Guide</a> to learn what you should be making.</li><li>Need help negotiating your salary? Download our free <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/free-salary-negotiation-guide">Salary Negotiation Guide</a>!</li><li>Follow us on <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@salarytransparentstreet">TikTok</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/salarytransparentstreet/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/salarytransparentstreet">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/salarytransparentstreet">YouTube </a>and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/salarytransparentstreet/">LinkedIn </a>for daily pay transparency interviews and career news you can use!</li><li>Subscribe to our <a href="https://salarytransparentstreet.beehiiv.com/subscribe">weekly newsletter</a> for news updates, professional deep dives, learning opportunities, and more!</li></ul>

10 Most Common Job Interview Questions and Answers (With Examples)

Thank you to our partner Capitalize for collaborating with us and allowing this resource to come to life.Jobs aren’t quite the same as they were in the 90s. People don’t spend a decade or more at the same job anymore. They experience more <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/what-to-do-when-you-get-laid-off">layoffs</a> and switch employers more often. With frequent job changes, it’s not a surprise that people leave their 401(k)s behind, often forgetting about them completely.&nbsp;Forgotten 401(k)s actually grew to $1.65 trillion in assets during 2021 and 2022, <a href="https://www.hicapitalize.com/?utm_source=STS&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=q32023">according to Capitalize</a> which is a free service that helps people claim and rollover their old retirement accounts.

Enter the job hopper. “Job hopping” is a buzzword created online to give name to a phenomenon of when employees spend less than a year at a job before quitting to move to the next one in hopes of <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/negotiate-salary-offer">negotiating a higher salary</a> and increasing their benefits, flexibility, and experience. It’s also what helped our founder, Hannah Williams, increase her own salary and eventually <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/why-i-started-salary-transparent-street">start Salary Transparent Street</a>. Job hoppers are some of the most affected by forgotten 401(k) accounts and savings.When leaving a job after any amount of time, it’s your responsibility to decide what to do with your old 401(k). Unfortunately, these accounts don’t follow you from job-to-job and the longer you procrastinate dealing with them, the more you could lose out on those hard earned gains on investments, resulting in decreased retirement funds.&nbsp;Let’s dig deeper into how you can roll over your 401(k) after leaving a job and how to recover lost or forgotten 401(k) accounts.Key points:<ul><li>It’s most common to roll over your 401(k) to an IRA account after leaving a job.</li><li>Leaving your 401(k) with your employer could cost a ton in fees and you could lose out on significant gains.&nbsp;</li><li>401(k) rollovers are surprisingly easy and completely free, including lost and forgotten accounts.</li></ul><h2>What is a 401(k) Rollover?</h2>An employer-sponsored 401(k) is a common <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/negotiate-benefits">work benefit</a> at many jobs that allows you to start contributing funds from your paycheck towards your retirement. Oftentimes the employer will match your contributions at a certain percentage, which is essentially free money invested into that account for you. Rolling over your 401(k) account after leaving a job is a process that makes sure you don’t lose this money.401(k) rollovers consist of transferring funds from an employer-sponsored retirement savings account to an individual account or new employer’s 401(k) plan. This financial strategy allows individuals to consolidate their retirement savings, providing greater control, less fees, investment flexibility, and potential for growth. You may actually be able to retire up to 4 years sooner just by reducing your 401(k) fees alone.&nbsp;

Rollovers are especially important for individuals who <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2022/05/12/25-year-old-went-from-40k-to-115k-in-3-yearsher-negotiation-trick.html">change jobs frequently</a>, as they enable a seamless transition of retirement funds without incurring taxes or penalties, while also preserving a tax-advantaged status.<h2>401(k) Rollover Options and Rules</h2>When considering a 401(k) rollover, there are several options and rules to keep in mind. If you’re rolling over a traditional 401(k) account, you have the option to transfer those funds into another qualified retirement account, such as an Individual Retirement Account (IRA), a Roth Individual Retirement Account (Roth IRA) for rolling over Roth 401(k) accounts, or a new employer's 401(k) plan.&nbsp;Rollovers to a traditional IRA or a new employer's traditional 401(k) plan usually have no immediate tax consequences. The same goes for rolling over Roth 401(k) accounts into a Roth IRA. However, if you're moving funds from a traditional 401(k) to a Roth IRA or Roth 401(k), that is considered a Roth conversion and you'll need to pay income taxes on the converted amount.Generally, you have 60 days from the time you receive a distribution from your old 401(k) to complete the rollover if you do an indirect rollover. If you fail to do so, the distribution might be subject to taxes and penalties.

schitts creek gif with text that says we don't want drama

The rules and options can vary, so it's essential to understand your specific circumstances and consult with professionals who can provide personalized advice based on your financial goals and needs. The professionals at <a href="https://www.hicapitalize.com/?utm_source=STS&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=q32023">Capitalize </a>are a great place to start (and it’s completely free).<h2>How to Roll Over Your 401(k)</h2>To start your 401(k) rollover using Capitalize, <a href="https://www.hicapitalize.com/?utm_source=STS&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=q32023">select the “Get Started” button on the Capitalize website</a>. From there you’ll be asked to provide a few details about your old retirement account and where you’d like to roll it over.With Capitalize, you can successfully transfer your old retirement account into an IRA that you control, not your old employer. It’s usually most common to rollover your old 401(k) to an IRA instead of a new employer’s plan. IRAs generally come with more flexibility for investment options and less fees than employer-sponsored 401(k) plans.

capitalize screenshot to initiate 401k rollover

If you don’t have any details about your old account, there is an option to select in which Capitalize will find your account for you. This is honestly my favorite Capitalize feature and has helped me find and rollover 3 lost 401(k)s of mine.

Once you locate your old 401(k), choose an IRA that best fits your needs for your rollover. This can be an existing IRA that you have, or a completely new one. If you don’t know where to begin with finding where to open an IRA at, Capitalize will also give you a few of their own suggestions based on what’s most important to you.

After all of the information is submitted, Capitalize takes it from there. Their team will begin processing your rollover, including all paperwork and communicating with your retirement account provider(s). They also don’t miss a beat in making sure the status is promptly communicated back to you, with up-to-date widgets for each rollover that are updated in real-time on the Capitalize dashboard.

capitalize screenshot of old 401k rollover status

Once the process is complete, Capitalize will notify you for any additional action needed on your part and you’re done!

capitalize screenshot of a completed 401k rollover notification

<h2>How Job Hopping Might Actually Help You Save More for Retirement</h2>Job hopping seems like a term that would reflect workers in a negative light. But that’s far from the truth.In today’s context, the term could potentially open up hiring managers to negative bias towards candidates with less than 1 year at a job listed on their resume. Realistically, job hopping represents people standing up for what they deserve and taking action. Their employers would dump them in a second in the name of profits. So, why can’t we do what’s best for our own finances? One of the ways job hoppers do this is by taking advantage of 401(k) matching benefits at each job that helps them to save significantly more, especially when moving to a job that has a better match.Then on top of that, they save more money on fees from making sure they rollover their old 401(k)s to an IRA using <a href="https://www.hicapitalize.com/?utm_source=STS&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=q32023">Capitalize</a>, which could potentially help them retire even sooner!If you want to learn more about 401(k) rollovers and how to get started with your own today, check out <a href="https://www.hicapitalize.com/welcome/?utm_source=STS&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=q32023">Capitalize </a>and initiate your first rollover for free. With 1,000+ 5-star reviews on TrustPilot, you really can’t go wrong.

Alright, that wraps it up for this week! I’m Daniella Flores, a former software engineer turned career researcher who writes about tech, money, and different jobs. My work has been featured in TIME, CNBC, CNET, Business Insider, and Investopedia (among many others). I’m extremely passionate about workers' rights and financial freedom, so it’s a pleasure to be able to bring you this type of content through the <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub">Resource Hub</a> (thank you for the opportunity, Hannah!) If you want to connect, follow me on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellamarquez/">Linkedin</a>. Chat soon!Download our free <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/free-market-research-guide">Market Research Guide</a> to learn what you should be making.Need help negotiating? Our free <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/free-salary-negotiation-guide">Salary Negotiation Guide</a> has scripts and tips to get you a higher salary at your current (or new) job.&nbsp;&nbsp;Explore thousands of individually reported, contextual salaries across all industries in our <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/salary-database">Salary Database</a>!Follow us on <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@salarytransparentstreet">TikTok</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/salarytransparentstreet/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/salarytransparentstreet">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/salarytransparentstreet">YouTube </a>and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/salarytransparentstreet/">LinkedIn </a>for daily pay transparency interviews and career news you can use!Subscribe to our <a href="https://salarytransparentstreet.beehiiv.com/subscribe">weekly newsletter</a> for news updates, professional deep dives, learning opportunities, and more!Send us an email ➡️ hello@checksalaries.com

desktop featured image with green background and text that reads a guide to 401k rollovers

mobile featured image with green background and text that reads a guide to 401k rollovers

A Guide to 401(k) Rollovers

Imagine this: There are two coworkers who share the exact same role, experience, skills, and responsibilities. They’re both dedicated, driven, positive, and collaborative. But one makes $10,000 less than the other.&nbsp;

For many, perhaps even you, this isn’t a hypothetical situation. It’s the reality of pay discrimination (also referred to as wage discrimination). It doesn’t matter if you’re the employee or employer. Anyone can play a part in it and many don’t even realize they’re doing it.&nbsp;To find out if you’re a victim of pay discrimination, you’ll need to first understand what pay discrimination is in its many shapes and sizes. Then join us in fighting the good fight: stopping pay discrimination once and for all.Key points:<ul><li>Pay discrimination is illegal but it still happens all the time.</li><li>You can be discriminated against based on your race, gender, ethnicity, and other demographic characteristics.</li><li>There is a long history of pay discrimination and the pay gap is shrinking, but we still have a ways to go.</li><li>You have several legal rights that can help you fight back.</li></ul>

&nbsp;<h2>What is pay discrimination?</h2>Pay discrimination happens when employees are paid less than their equal counterparts on the basis of their race, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, age, ability, or other demographic characteristics.&nbsp;It also affects more than just the impacted individual. Pay discrimination can perpetuate social and economic inequalities for generations.Pay discrimination isn’t just unfair. It’s illegal.<a href="https://www.eeoc.gov/history/equal-pay-act-1963#:~:text=To%20prohibit%20discrimination%20on%20account,production%20of%20goods%20for%20commerce.">The Equal Pay Act of 1963</a> prohibits employers from pay discrimination on the basis of sex. A not-so-fun fact is that when the act was passed, women workers were earning <a href="https://www.census.gov/library/publications/2022/demo/p60-276.html">only 59 cents</a> to mens’ dollar.

Since then, multiple laws have targeted pay discrimination based on race, color, sex, religion, national origin, and age. Then in 2009, the <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/senate-bill/181#:~:text=Lilly%20Ledbetter%20Fair%20Pay%20Act%20of%202009%20%2D%20Amends%20the%20Civil,individual%20is%20affected%20by%20application">Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act</a> clarified that all inequitable and discriminatory payments are illegal…period.A few states are taking things a step further with laws around pay transparency and wage history:<ul><li>California, New York, Colorado, Nevada, and Connecticut all prohibit employers from asking about salary history.</li><li>Want to learn if your state has any of these laws? Check out our complete list of <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/pay-transparency-laws">pay transparency laws by state</a>, including progress on proposed bills on both a state and federal level.&nbsp;</li></ul><h2>Different Forms of Pay Discrimination</h2>There isn’t only one type of pay discrimination. There are several and some can even overlap.&nbsp;Here’s a rundown of the biggest forms of pay discrimination we’re fighting today 👇<h2>Gender Discrimination</h2>Today, women are participating in the labor market at near-record rates. The wage gap has significantly decreased but it hasn’t disappeared. And no, it isn’t because women aren’t negotiating – that’s a myth. When it comes to<a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/gender-and-negotiation"> gender and negotiation</a>, women actually negotiate more than men.&nbsp;Women now earn <a href="https://nwlc.org/resource/the-wage-gap-robs-women-working-full-time-year-round-of-hundreds-of-thousands-of-dollars-over-a-lifetime/#">84 cents for every dollar</a> paid to a full-time working man. That adds up to nearly $10,000 less per year in median earnings. 🤯When women become moms, they’re either <a href="https://www2.census.gov/ces/wp/2017/CES-WP-17-68.pdf">less likely</a> to be hired and typically offered a lower salary than their male counterparts. On average, moms working full-time <a href="https://nwlc.org/resource/mothers-wage-gap/#:~:text=Among%20full%2Dtime%2C%20year%2D,month%20or%20%2418%2C000%20a%20year.">earn just 74 cents for every dollar</a> paid to a dad in the US.It only gets worse with age. In 2022, women ages 25 to 44 made 88% of what men their age made, while women 65 or older earned just <a href="https://www.americanprogress.org/article/5-facts-from-the-2022-wage-gap-data/">78%</a> of men their age.

There are a few potential reasons this pay gap exists. Women are underrepresented in <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/highest-paying-jobs-without-a-degree">high-paying jobs</a> like managerial and <a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/science/2021/04/01/stem-jobs-see-uneven-progress-in-increasing-gender-racial-and-ethnic-diversity/">STEM occupations</a>, but they’re overrepresented in lower-paying jobs, like education and services.

Celebrating women in STEM this #womanshistorymonth! #salarytransparentstreet #stemcareers

But even when comparing apples-to-apples (AKA comparing the salaries of men and women in the exact same job), the wage gap exists…and that’s because of bias. A <a href="https://insights.som.yale.edu/insights/women-arent-promoted-because-managers-underestimate-their-potential">Yale School of Management study</a> found that women got higher performance ratings than men, but were consistently and incorrectly judged as having less leadership potential.What’s the big picture here? The cumulative cost of the gender pay gap to women has amounted to $61 trillion since 1967, the first year of available US Census Bureau data. That’s nearly 3x our country’s GDP.<h2>Racial Discrimination</h2>Over the past five years, the racial wage gap has been <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/19/briefing/juneteenth-racial-wage-gap.html">shrinking</a>. However in 2023, non-white workers in the U.S. experience large pay gaps compared to their white peers.&nbsp;For <a href="https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-23-106041">every dollar </a>paid to white, non-Hispanic men:<ul><li>Asian women are paid 97 cents.</li><li>White women are paid 79 cents.</li><li>Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander women are paid 66 cents.</li><li>Black or African American women are paid 63 cents.</li><li>Hispanic or Latino women are paid 58 cents.</li><li>American Indian or Alaska Native women are paid 58 cents.</li></ul>

Why is this happening? Racial minorities are overrepresented in <a href="https://www.bls.gov/cps/cpsaat39.htm">lower-paying</a> jobs. Economic theorists often blame the racial pay gap on differences in education, experience, and the fact that Black workers are more likely to live in lower-wage Southern states. Yet, even when controlling for these factors, Black workers <a href="https://www.epi.org/unequalpower/publications/understanding-black-white-disparities-in-labor-market-outcomes/">earn 14.9%</a> less than white workers. Sounds like a bad case of employer bias.<h2>Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity Discrimination</h2><a href="https://www.hrc.org/resources/the-wage-gap-among-lgbtq-workers-in-the-united-states">36%</a> of LGBTQIA+ workers say they have experienced discrimination in the workplace. Overall, LGBTQIA+ workers earn about 90 cents for every dollar that straight and cisgender workers earn and are less likely to have access to health insurance and other <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/negotiate-benefits">employer benefits</a>.

<h2>Age Discrimination</h2>More than 40% of workers over the age of 40 <a href="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/02/ageism-age-discrimination-statistics-america-2023-workplace#:~:text=More%20than%2040%25%20of%20workers%20over%20the%20age%20of%2040%20say%20they%27ve%20experienced%20age%20discrimination%20at%20work%20in%20the%20last%20three%20years%2C%20according%20to%20a%20recent%20AARP%20survey.">say</a> they've experienced age discrimination at work in the last three years. The role of bias is no secret here. Employers <a href="https://www.ziprecruiter.com/blog/despite-a-tight-labor-market-older-workers-cite-widespread-ageism/">admit</a> that they're looking for younger talent. 47% say they're worried about older workers' tech skills and 25% say they'd pick a 30-year-old over a 60-year-old, even if both candidates were equally qualified.<h2>Disability Discrimination</h2>Workers with disabilities earn <a href="https://disabilitycompendium.org/compendium/2020-annual-disability-statistics-compendium?page=10">84%</a> of what workers without disabilities earn. This is often about accessibility, something that adds to the "disability tax". This tax represents the higher cost-of-living (and frustration) people with disabilities face while having less stable jobs. <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/jobs-for-people-with-disabilities">Jobs for people with disabilities</a> may not provide workers with the accommodations they need, like a wheelchair ramp or a screen reader.<h2>So, what can you do about it?</h2>Here are 3 simple steps you can take:&nbsp;<ol><li>Know your worth. Compare your salary to the market rate for your specific experience and position to identify discrepancies—which may be indicative of discrimination. Check out our <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/free-market-research-guide">free Market Salary Research Guide</a> to find your market rate, then compare to our <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/salary-database">Salary Database</a>. Also look at what kind of policies your employer has about discrimination so you can identify any times they’ve been broken.</li><li>Ask for regular salary reviews. Salary reviews allow you to openly communicate with your employer, negotiate your salary, and make appropriate adjustments. Need help negotiating? We’ve got <a href="https://view.flodesk.com/pages/64c03066207ff6fa282b6bac?referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F">a free guide</a> for that. Also check out our free list of <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/salary-negotiation-scripts">salary negotiation scripts</a>!</li><li>Vote! While recent legislation has improved salary transparency and pay equality, there’s still progress to be made. <a href="https://www.vote.org/">Know the candidates on your local ballot</a> and vote!</li></ol>

<h2>How do I know if I’m a victim of wage discrimination?</h2>Even after doing everything you can to advocate for yourself, you may still fall victim to pay discrimination.&nbsp;Here’s what you can do:<ol><li>Know the policies. Thanks to the <a href="https://www.worker.gov/discussion-of-pay/">National Labor Relations Act</a>, it is your legal right to <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/discussing-salary-with-coworkers">talk about pay</a> with your employer, without fear of retaliation. Your employer may have additional policies for compensation, complaints, promotions, and/or discrimination claims. Review these too.</li><li>Gather any “proof,” including your market rate, pay stubs, info about your past experience, your coworkers’ pay and experience, and job descriptions. Make sure to take notes from any meetings, emails, or other communications related to your pay.</li><li>Seek internal support. Request a meeting with your boss or HR to present the issue and walk through your proof. Document the date you met and who was present, detail what you discussed during the meeting, explain how you found out about the pay discrepancy and the proof you presented, and communicate exactly how your boss or HR rep responded. After you meet, send a follow-up email to confirm what happened during the conversation.&nbsp;</li><li>Find a group. If you’re a member of a union, ask about filing a grievance or find out whether pay discrimination is covered in your collective bargaining agreement. This is a common occurrence in many <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/highest-paying-trade-jobs">high-paying trade jobs</a>. And if you’re not part of a union? Team up with your coworkers to start a petition or organize a company-wide meeting.</li><li>File a complaint with the EEOC or your state’s enforcement agency. Call the <a href="https://www.eeoc.gov/filing-charge-discrimination">US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission</a> hotline at 800-669-4000. If you don’t want to file a complaint, you can still speak with an EEOC counselor to learn more about your legal rights.</li><li>Speak with an attorney. Learn your legal rights before you move beyond internal complaints. <a href="https://www.equalrights.org/">Equal Rights Advocates</a> is a great resource. They offer free, confidential legal advice.</li></ol><h2>Are you being underpaid? Find out with our free quiz 👇</h2>&nbsp;

That wraps it up for this week. Until next time, stay awesome, stay strong, and keep advocating for yourself no matter what! I’m Daniella, a writer, engineer, and creator of <a href="https://iliketodabble.com/">I Like to Dabble </a>and <a href="https://iliketodabble.com/remote-work-bestie/">Remote Work Bestie</a> - my blog and podcast for leveling up your money, career, and side hustles. I’m extremely passionate about workers' rights and financial freedom, so it’s a pleasure to be able to bring you this type of content through the <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub">Resource Hub</a> (thank you for the opportunity, Hannah!) You can also follow me on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/iliketodabbleblog/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@iliketodabble">TikTok</a>, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellamarquez/">Linkedin</a>, and <a href="https://twitter.com/iliketodabble">Twitter</a>. Chat soon!Want to learn more about how pay discrimination shows up in everyday work-life? <a href="https://salarytransparentstreet.beehiiv.com/subscribe">Read our weekly Salary Transparent Street newsletter</a> to stay up to date on all things compensation, money, and getting paid what you’re worth.For more Salary Transparent Street resources:<ul><li>Do you know if you're being underpaid? <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/are-you-underpaid-free-quiz">Take our free quiz</a> to find out!</li><li>Need help determining your market rate? Download our free <a href="https://view.flodesk.com/pages/626ccc8e1e8046b220253e47">Market Research Guide</a> to learn what you should be making.</li><li>Explore over 5,000+ individually reported salaries nationwide across all industries in our <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/salary-database">Salary Database</a>!</li><li>Follow us on <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@salarytransparentstreet">TikTok</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/salarytransparentstreet/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/salarytransparentstreet">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/salarytransparentstreet">YouTube </a>and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/salarytransparentstreet/">LinkedIn </a>for daily pay transparency interviews and career news you can use!&nbsp;</li><li>Send us an email ➡️ hello@checksalaries.com</li></ul>

desktop featured image with green background, money icons, and title text that says pay discrimination 101

pay discrimination featured image with green background, money icons, and title text overlay that says pay discrimination 101

Pay Discrimination 101: What It Is and How to Fight Back

Salary discussions at the office rarely happen but they should. Money is the very thing that causes everyone to be there for work in the first place, but it’s the last thing anyone wants to bring up.&nbsp;

Let’s be real. We’ve been told for so long that it’s tacky to talk about how much we make because the more silence there is around what employees are making, the more a company can profit off of those who are underpaid.This taboo can bring up insecurities, contribute to <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/salary-negotiation-myths">salary negotiation myths</a>, and make conversations about pay difficult to start. Knowing how to approach the subject of salary with coworkers in a respectful manner is essential for having a productive conversation that helps everyone.Key points:<ul><li>There are policies in place against pay secrecy that protect employees when talking about pay.</li><li>When learning <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/negotiate-salary-offer">how to negotiate salary</a>, discussing salary with your coworkers can help gather more compensation data.</li><li>The best salary discussions are mutually beneficial and lead with clear intentions.</li><li>There is a difference between your peers' salaries and your market rate. Be sure to research your market rate either before, during, or after these discussions.</li></ul>

&nbsp;<h2>Can you be fired for talking about pay?</h2>No, you can’t be fired for talking about your pay at work. There are <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/pay-transparency-laws">pay transparency laws</a> in place to combat pay secrecy and protect employees from retaliation when talking about pay. According to the <a href="https://www.nlrb.gov/about-nlrb/rights-we-protect/your-rights/your-rights-to-discuss-wages#:~:text=If%20you%20are%20an%20employee,policies%20against%20using%20their%20equipment">National Labor Relations Act</a>, “employees have the right to communicate with other employees at their workplace about their wages.”&nbsp;

Are You Allowed to Talk About Salary in Your Workplace? (Legal Rights)

It’s an important right that you should exercise as much as you can, as appropriately as you can.What you can’t do is talk about other people’s salaries if you found out. For example, if you find out what colleague A is making and you talk to colleague B, you can’t tell colleague B what colleague A is making. Even HR can’t have conversations with other people about other people’s salaries.You can only share what you make.&nbsp;

Person saying we're gonna keep this between us

When it gets legally tricky is if the company you work for has any clauses that restrict you from having salary discussions on company time or company property.&nbsp;If this is the case for you, invite your colleague out for coffee or lunch to start that discussion. When these conversations are in more relaxed environments outside of the office, they tend to be much more productive anyway.&nbsp;<h2>Icebreakers to Begin Salary Conversations at Work</h2>It’s awkward and intimidating to start conversations about salary at work. First, give yourself grace. These conversations certainly aren’t normalized and it’s natural for you to feel weird about them.The best way to frame it is to present what your situation is first. Maybe you want to <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/how-to-ask-for-a-raise">ask for a raise</a> or are simply curious to see if you’re being underpaid at your job.&nbsp;Start with something along the lines of, “After working at the company for X amount of time, I’ve been thinking about asking for a raise. After watching Salary Transparent Street, I’m wondering what is a fair number to ask for. What’s been your experience in your career with salary negotiation?”If you’re curious to see if you’re being underpaid, bring up the topic of something like employee reviews coming up or a new project or responsibility you’ve been given. These topics can be used to naturally steer the conversation into talking about pay.

Try to frame it in a way that isn’t directly asking them how much they make. Give them the opportunity to get the feel of the conversation and have it naturally evolve from there. Gauge how comfortable they are with it because it isn’t fair to force that conversation if they’re not ready.&nbsp;Something that tends to make starting these conversations easier is to first practice on friends and family.&nbsp;<h2>Do’s &amp; Don'ts of Discussing Salary With Coworkers</h2>Whenever you have these conversations, come from a place of respect and wanting to learn something that benefits you. Your intention behind wanting to start these conversations is an important element for how they’ll play out. There’s a difference between being nosy and wanting to have a productive conversation to learn something that can help with your career development.&nbsp;The conversation should also be mutually beneficial. If you’re wanting to ask someone about their compensation, are you willing to share yours in return?

Ilana broad city saying I respect you respecting me

<h2>What to Do With The Information</h2>If you find out you’re being underpaid from someone else’s salary, DO NOT storm into your manager’s office and point fingers.Legally (see above), you can’t tell them that your colleague is making [$X], which is higher than what you make, and then ask for a raise. You’ll need to present an argument for a pay increase competitive with the market rate of your peers based on your experience, skills, etc.Use what you’ve learned from your colleagues and then do your own research to find your market rate. Download our free <a href="https://view.flodesk.com/pages/626ccc8e1e8046b220253e47">Market Research Guide</a> to learn what you should be making.Then, use a sample script from our free <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/free-salary-negotiation-guide">Salary Negotiation Guide</a>. to ask for a raise, or learn how to negotiate a job offer if you need to start looking for another job).&nbsp;Alright, that wraps it up for this week! I’m Daniella Flores, a former software engineer turned career researcher who writes about tech, money, and different jobs. My work has been featured in TIME, CNBC, CNET, Business Insider, and Investopedia (among many others). I’m extremely passionate about workers' rights and financial freedom, so it’s a pleasure to be able to bring you this type of content through the <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub">Resource Hub</a> (thank you for the opportunity, Hannah!). If you want to connect, follow me on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellamarquez/">Linkedin</a>. Chat soon!Do you know if you're being underpaid? <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/are-you-underpaid-free-quiz">Take our free quiz</a> to find out!Follow us on <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@salarytransparentstreet">TikTok</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/salarytransparentstreet/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/salarytransparentstreet">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/salarytransparentstreet">YouTube </a>and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/salarytransparentstreet/">LinkedIn </a>for daily pay transparency interviews and career news you can use!Explore over 5,000+ individually reported salaries nationwide across all industries in our <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/salary-database">Salary Database</a>!Subscribe to our <a href="https://salarytransparentstreet.beehiiv.com/subscribe">weekly newsletter</a> for news updates, professional deep dives, learning opportunities, and more!Send us an email ➡️ <a href="mailto:hello@checksalaries.com">hello@checksalaries.com</a>

picture of 2 people at a desk with coffee and title text overlay that reads talking about salary at the office

2 people at a table with coffee and title text overlay that reads talking about salary at the office

How to Talk About Salary at the Office

Salary negotiation can be challenging.&nbsp;For many professionals, the mere thought of entering into a salary negotiation can be daunting. According to a <a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/04/05/when-negotiating-starting-salaries-most-us-women-and-men-dont-ask-for-higher-pay/">Pew Research Center survey</a>, 60% of people did not negotiate their salary.&nbsp;The fear of sounding too aggressive or the uncertainty of knowing what to say often leads individuals to settle for less than they deserve. Women especially feel this when faced with negotiating and the risk of being seen as “too difficult” to work with due to bias.Even with the rise of <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/pay-transparency-laws">pay transparency laws</a> across the US where employers are now required to disclose salary ranges for job listings in some states, it’s still important to negotiate your salary and advocate for yourself. Failing to negotiate could cost you millions over your lifetime.In the heat of interviewing and discussing salary with the recruiter or hiring manager, I’ve found having a few scripts ready to go helps to stay confident in those talks.

&nbsp;Key points:<ul><li>Salary negotiation scripts can serve as guides and empower you to navigate the negotiation process with more confidence (which is why we've included 11 of them for different scenarios).</li><li>Compensation is more than just your salary. It includes your benefits too, which should be accounted for when negotiating.</li><li>Negotiating salary over the phone can be overwhelming for some folks. If this is you, use our salary negotiation email template and script that's also included in this guide.</li></ul>

<h2>Should I negotiate by phone or email?</h2>Usually, &nbsp;job offers are presented over a phone call, in person, or during a video call. This is a tactic hiring managers use to create a sense of urgency that you need to accept the offer on the spot.&nbsp;Don’t fall for it.&nbsp;A good rule of thumb when receiving any job offer is to get the official offer in writing and to take at least 24 to 48 hours to review it. Be sure to communicate that timing with the hiring manager too. Next, what do you say?

<h2>Negotiating Salary Over The Phone</h2><a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/negotiate-salary-offer">Negotiating a salary offer</a> over the phone can be tricky, especially if you don’t know your market rate. Never go into negotiations without a target number (or range) in mind. Our <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/free-market-research-guide">Market Research Guide</a> can help you with that.Even if you know your market rate, wait to negotiate until you have the offer in writing. You aren’t only negotiating your salary during a job offer, but you're also <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/negotiate-benefits">negotiating benefits</a> like health benefits, sign-on bonus, stock options, vacation time, start date, remote work benefits, etc. These discussions can quickly get in the weeds and are easier to emotionally manage over email.Use the following script for when you receive a job offer over the phone to redirect the offer to your email:“This is great news! Thank you so much for the offer! It was great to meet you and I’m so excited to join the team. Before I can accept, can you please email me the complete offer and compensation package with both the salary and benefit information?” &nbsp;

Jimmy fallon gif of his saying this could've been an email

<h2>Salary Negotiation Email</h2>After you receive the written offer over email, it’s time to start negotiating! You can either review the offer over email and set up a call to discuss. Or, if you get nervous easily on phone calls like that and have a tendency to not advocate for yourself as much in a live interaction, you can reply and start your negotiation over email.Start off by thanking them again and showing your excitement. Depending on what you’re negotiating for, whether it’s a higher salary or better benefits, your reply would look something like this:“Dear [hiring manager’s name],Thank you again so much for the offer and sending all of this over! I am really excited to work with the team but there are a few things I want to discuss before accepting the offer. The salary is much lower than my market rate and salary expectations. Based on my understanding of the role, my experience, skills, and the results I’ve been able to drive in my professional career, I am looking for a salary of between [$X and $X]. What can we do to come to an agreement?I look forward to hearing from you to discuss further,[your name]”You might tweak your reply using any of the salary negotiation scripts below.If they ask you to jump on a call to discuss, keep your points in view during the phone call to stay on track, reinforce your experience, skills, results, and hold your ground. You got this!

<h2>Salary Negotiation Script Structure</h2>A salary negotiation isn’t meant to be a battle, even though they can feel that way sometimes. Instead, they’re a partnership.&nbsp;You aren’t fighting the hiring manager. You’re working with them to come to an agreement that works for the both of you. Keep this in mind when replying to job offers and using any salary negotiation scripts, especially your tone while handling them.The general structure that most salary negotiation scripts use follows a flow.<ol><li>Start with expressing your excitement and thanking the hiring manager or Human Resources associate that made the offer.</li><li>Share something positive about the interview process like how great it was to meet them and the team, and how excited you are to get started.</li><li>State that there are a few things you’d like to discuss and would like to see the entire compensation package with salary and benefits included before accepting the offer.</li><li>Take some time to carefully review the compensation package.</li><li>Counter offer with your expected salary or range and any additional benefits you’d like to negotiate for.</li><li>End with a positive sign off.</li></ol><h2>11 Example Salary Negotiation Scripts</h2>Add the following scripts to your tool box when going into job interviews and negotiations.

Gif of laverne cox saying stick to the script

<h2>When Bringing Up Salary in The Introductory Interview</h2>If the job listing didn’t include what the pay was for the job, you can ask the recruiter about salary in the introductory interview. Disclosure of pay range is actually required in several states such as Washington, California, and Pennsylvania. View our full <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/pay-transparency-laws">map of pay transparency laws</a> across the U.S. to check what’s required in your state.Even if your state doesn’t require that the employer disclose the pay range, you have every right to ask what the pay is for the job you’re interviewing for. The sooner you ask, the better so you aren’t wasting hours of interviews to get the bad news that they don’t have the budget to pay you fairly.The best way is to ask when they prompt with a <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/job-interview-questions-and-answers">job interview question</a> like, “Do you have any questions?”. Then respond with something along the lines of “What is the budgeted salary range for this position?”.&nbsp;If they respond with a budget that is too low, use this script:“That’s not within my market rate/the competitive rate for me and my peers. Is your budget flexible?”

<h2>When Asked What Your Salary Expectations Are</h2>If the hiring manager or recruiter asks you what your salary requirements are, use this script:“I’ve done the market research and I have an expected range in mind, but it’s a bit too early in the interview process for me to gauge the full scope of this position. Would you mind please sharing the budget for this role with me?”This exact script helped Salary Transparent Street founder,<a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/why-i-started-salary-transparent-street"> Hannah Williams</a>, get a $25,000 raise from $90,000 to $115,000!

michael scott gif of him saying i am declining to speak first

<h2>When The Salary Offer is Too Low</h2>If you receive a <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/lowball-job-offer">lowball job offer</a>, reply with this script:“Thank you. This is wonderful news! I enjoyed meeting you and the team, and am beyond excited to work together. Before accepting the offer, I’d like to discuss the salary as it’s much lower than my competitive market rate. Based on my skills and experience, I’d be eager to accept a salary of [$X] for this position and [insert any benefits you’d like to negotiate for].”

giff of someone saying you're not going to insult me with a low ball offer

<h2>When The Written Offer is Lower Than The Verbal Offer</h2>When the written offer doesn’t match the verbal offer, this script will come in handy:“Thank you so much for sending over the written offer and full compensation package! However, I noticed that the salary on the written offer is lower than the verbal offer we discussed on our call, and lower than my market rate. Considering my skills, experience, results, and market salary for this position, I’d be eager to accept a salary of [$X] for this position and [insert any benefits you’d like to negotiate for].”

Brooklyn 99 gif saying uncool, uncool, uncool

<h2>When Providing a Desired Salary Prematurely That Was Too Low</h2>If you’ve disclosed your salary requirements too early in the process and find that your salary needs to increase to match the full scope of the position, use this script:“Thank you for considering my initial desired salary, I genuinely appreciate it. However, as we have progressed further in the interview process and I’ve learned the full scope of the position, I see additional requirements that were not explicitly stated in the job posting (give an example or 2). Considering these changes, I would feel most comfortable accepting a salary between [$X and $X].”

<h2>When Leveraging Job Offers From Other Companies</h2>If you get multiple offers that coincide with each other, leverage those in negotiations with this script:&nbsp;“Thank you. This is great news! I loved meeting the team and am excited to get started on the projects we discussed. Before accepting an offer, I’d like to discuss the salary as it’s much lower than my market rate. I was recently offered a position with another company (indicating if it’s a competitor or not), and am considering my options. Based on their offer, my skills, experience, results, and market salary for this position, I’d be eager to accept a salary of [$X] for this position and [insert any benefits you’d like to negotiate for]. I believe my experience in [x,y,z] can add significant value to the team.”

Gif of alexis from schitt's creek flipping her hair

<h2>How to Counter So They Don’t Rescind Their Offer</h2>Rarely a company might rescind an offer while negotiating. Employers expect people to negotiate and don’t rescind offers just because the potential employee tried to negotiate.&nbsp;However, they might withdraw their offer if the candidate asks for a salary that is unreasonable, has poor communication with the recruiter, or is rude and doesn’t work with the recruiter collaboratively to reach an agreement. There are also other factors that might be out of your control such as budget changes, restructuring the company where the position is no longer available, or going with an internal candidate.&nbsp;<h2>When They Can’t Budge on Salary</h2>

Nadja from what we do in the shadows saying this I know  how to handle

Let’s say you counteroffer and they are unable to budge on the salary. This is when you can try to negotiate for other things like remote work, more vacation time, or a sign-on bonus.Use this script template for negotiating for benefits:“Thank you for that information and I understand there isn’t room to budge on the salary. If the salary can’t be adjusted to accommodate my market rate, I’d be eager to accept the position for [$X] with the ability to work fully remote and an extra 5 days of vacation [or insert any benefits you’d like to negotiate for]. What can we do to make this work for the both of us?”<h2>When The Salary is Not Negotiable</h2>

Sometimes a company may have set compensation packages per level that are not negotiable. They will either tell you at the time of the offer or when you try to negotiate that the offer is non-negotiable since it’s already set in the budget.In this case, you’ll have to decide if you want to accept it or not, or move on.<h2>After Accepting an Offer but Changed Your Mind</h2>If you’ve already accepted the offer but have since changed your mind, don’t worry. It happens.This script will help get through that scenario, as long as you didn’t already sign the job offer:“Thank you so much for chatting with me today about the job offer! I know we recently came to an agreement of [$X] for the salary, however, since accepting the job offer I’ve had some time to dig deeper into the role and the full scope of the position. I am still interested in the position and would be ready to start with everything else we’ve agreed upon, but would like to negotiate the salary and would be eager to move forward with [$X] for the salary. Is this doable?”<h2>When Renegotiating Salary at Your Current Job</h2>

Michael and stanley from the office talking about how to get stanley to stay

When you’ve been at a job for a while but your pay isn’t matching the current role anymore, you have every right to <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/how-to-ask-for-a-raise">ask for a raise</a> and renegotiate your salary!This script is perfect for negotiating a higher salary and better suited agreement:&nbsp;“Thank you again for taking the time to meet with me today. I’ve been with the company for [X] years now and love the work I do, as well as the team I work with. However, in that time, the scope of the role has changed with additional responsibilities. I’ve been asked to take on responsibilities of a more senior position, in addition to my current position. Before I can fully commit to that, I would like to review my current compensation package and reach a figure that better suits these new responsibilities. Considering industry standards, similar positions recently posted on the company’s website, my experience, skills, &amp; market rate, I believe a salary of [$X] makes the most sense moving forward.”If they can’t budge, ask for an increase in any of your benefits such as more paid time off, flexible working conditions, more parental leave, etc.<h2>Knowing When to Walk Away</h2>Never accept a job offer without negotiating. The worst thing they can say is no and if that happens, you always have the decision to walk away. You can find a <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/highest-paying-jobs-without-a-degree">high-paying job</a> elsewhere.Consider your “must-haves” to advocate for with every job offer you negotiate, so you know when it’s time to walk away. Need help determining your market rate so you know when to walk away? Download our free <a href="https://view.flodesk.com/pages/626ccc8e1e8046b220253e47">Market Research Guide</a> to learn what you should be making.Alright, that wraps it up for this week! I’m Daniella Flores, a former software engineer turned career researcher who writes about tech, money, and different jobs. My work has been featured in TIME, CNBC, CNET, Business Insider, and Investopedia (among many others). I’m extremely passionate about workers' rights and financial freedom, so it’s a pleasure to be able to bring you this type of content through the <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub">Resource Hub</a> (thank you for the opportunity, Hannah!) If you want to connect, follow me on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellamarquez/">Linkedin</a>. Chat soon!Do you know if you're being underpaid? <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/are-you-underpaid-free-quiz">Take our free quiz</a> to find out!Follow us on <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@salarytransparentstreet">TikTok</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/salarytransparentstreet/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/salarytransparentstreet">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/salarytransparentstreet">YouTube </a>and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/salarytransparentstreet/">LinkedIn </a>for daily pay transparency interviews and career news you can use!Explore over 5,000+ individually reported salaries nationwide across all industries in our <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/salary-database">Salary Database</a>!Subscribe to our <a href="https://salarytransparentstreet.beehiiv.com/subscribe">weekly newsletter</a> for news updates, professional deep dives, learning opportunities, and more!Send us an email ➡️ <a href="mailto:hello@checksalaries.com">hello@checksalaries.com</a>

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Salary Negotiation Scripts to Use

Heads up: This article may include affiliate links or sponsored content from brands we trust. Using them doesn’t cost you anything and helps support our mission.Did you just get off the most tone deaf Zoom call where someone from human resources announced a mass layoff? Or worse, was it done over email?Getting laid off is never fun and it’s downright insulting when it’s done without an ounce of respect. Your employer could be downsizing, restructuring, or going through other operational changes, but that doesn’t make it seem any less personal.We’ve seen way too many layoffs recently from technology companies, partially <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/will-ai-take-my-job">due to AI,</a> but it can happen within any company and it’s absolutely not your fault.There have been 1.1 million job cuts in 2025 so far (65% more than 2024), according to an <a href="https://www.challengergray.com/blog/october-challenger-report-153074-job-cuts-on-cost-cutting-ai/">October 2025 report</a> by Challenger, Gray &amp; Christmas, an outplacement and executive coaching firm that tracks layoffs monthly.Layoffs are emotional and you’ll need some time to process, but it’s important to stay professional with your eyes looking forward. Sit with those emotions and feel your feelings, but don’t stay there.&nbsp;We gathered a few software engineers to get a behind-the-scenes look into their careers, including how they’re handling layoffs. One software engineer we interviewed had an interesting point. He says, “It gives you, as an employee, a chance to kind of redefine or reevaluate where you’re at.” He touches on this chance that you now have to take the power back in your hands and see where you can pivot from there.&nbsp;

How Much Do Software Engineers Make? Reactions to AI, Layoffs and More! The Break Room Episode 5

You’re not alone in this and it won’t be the deciding factor for what happens to the rest of your career. There is life after a layoff.&nbsp;Use this step-by-step guide to understand your rights, secure your severance, learn how to file for unemployment, and other important tasks like <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/401k-rollovers">rolling over your 401(k) </a>and getting healthcare coverage, so you can move on with your life and on to your next chapter.Key points:<ul><li>There are laws in place, like the WARN act, that protect workers’ rights in a layoff.</li><li>Get all of the details about your layoff from human resources in writing, which is called a “layoff letter”, before you sign anything.</li><li>You may be entitled to a severance package, continuation of benefits, and unemployment.</li><li>You can work with an employment lawyer through the National Employment Lawyers Association throughout your layoff to negotiate your severance and benefits, and make sure your rights are being honored (most offer free consultations).</li><li>Revisit your finances and adjust your budget to account for the loss of income and apply for unemployment benefits through the U.S. Department of Labor website.</li><li>Prepare a few things to re-enter the job market with, such as recommendation letters, resume and LinkedIn updates, and connect with your professional network.</li></ul>

&nbsp;<h2>Know Your Rights &amp; Revisit Your Contract</h2>Yes, employees have rights, especially during a layoff! We reached out to retired employment attorney, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/delyannethemoneycoach/">Delyanne Barros</a>, to help us get a little more acquainted with what rights you may or may not have.&nbsp;After hearing the unsavory news of your layoff, expect a separate meeting request from human resources. If they don’t, set one up. This meeting is to go over the details of the layoff and to ask for your signature on a few documents (don’t sign just yet).&nbsp;Delyanne says that employees should not sign anything before talking to an attorney. “Many employers will try to pressure you to sign a severance agreement or waiver on the spot. The best thing to do is to take it with you and say that you need to look it over carefully and that you will promptly get back to them,” says Delyanne.

Delyanne recommends that employees get familiar with the <a href="https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/layoffs/warn">Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act</a>. “Most states in the US are at-will states which means that an employer can fire for any reason or none at all. However, there are specific laws that apply to certain employers when conducting mass layoffs. The WARN Act requires employers with 100 or more employees to provide 60 days notice of any mass layoffs."To find whether an employer has issued a WARN notice or not, a simple google search can help. ”An employee can look up whether their employer has issued a WARN notice by googling ‘Warn notice’ plus their state. Many states also have mini-WARN Acts that provide additional protections for employees at smaller companies,” she says.There are currently <a href="https://www.statechambers.org/state-warn-acts">13 states</a> with mini-WARN acts, including California, Connecticut, Washington, North Carolina, and Illinois, to name a few.Employees’ rights outside of the WARN Act can get a little tricky, but Delyanne says to check your employment contract to see if it outlines any specific information in case of a layoff, and to reach out to the <a href="https://www.nela.org/">National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA)</a> to find an employment lawyer to work with.<h2>Request a “Layoff Letter”</h2>Your company can supply a confirmation letter, or “layoff letter”, that states that your position is being terminated. Request this letter from the human resources associate you’re working with that includes the reasons for the layoff, effective date of termination, date of your last paycheck, and details about any severance payments or benefits that you’re entitled to.Having this letter gives you official documentation of your layoff, which may come in handy when applying for unemployment benefits and future job searches. It will also come in handy if there are any disputes or legal issues related to the layoff.<h2>Understand Your Severance Package</h2>

gif of jason bateman on ozark saying "where's my money"

If you’re entitled to a severance package, lucky you! That will be your lifeline after your final paycheck, so don’t overlook it. It’s best to review all the details with a member of human resources so you fully understand your severance package and if it’s fair or not. There are no stupid questions here. Ask them anything and everything you can think of.Negotiation is the name of the game with severances. Just like <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/negotiate-salary-offer">negotiating salary during a job offer</a>, severance packages can also be negotiated. Delyanne says this is where an employment lawyer also comes in handy, but many people hesitate to reach out to one because they think they’re only useful when planning to sue an employer. “However, I coached many clients behind-the-scenes during severance negotiations or negotiated on their behalf if they preferred it,” she says.Delyanne advises employees to “consult with an employment attorney in their state before they engage in severance negotiations. Most attorneys will offer a free consultation and may provide some guidance during that meeting.”Employees wanting to speak with an employment lawyer should check <a href="https://exchange.nela.org/memberdirectory/findalawyer">NELA’s referral directory</a> online.&nbsp;<h2>Ask About Benefits</h2>Similar to <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/negotiate-benefits">negotiating benefits</a> during a job offer, you can also negotiate them when you leave. In your meeting with HR, go over your current benefits with them to see if compensation is warranted.&nbsp;Even if your benefit information is included in the layoff letter, discuss the specifics with human resources so you don’t have any unexpected surprises later on. Ask about health coverage changes, including the official end date of your employer-sponsored health plan and how to sign up for <a href="https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/health-plans/cobra">Continuation of Health Coverage (COBRA)</a>.&nbsp;But, what about unused paid time off (PTO)? You can absolutely get compensated for those if the company is able to include it. Some employers already have a policy indicating the certain number of PTO days they pay out for employees based on how long they’ve been at the company, but if yours doesn’t, don’t be afraid to ask! Your employment lawyer can help you negotiate this as well.<h2>Look At Options to Continue Healthcare Coverage</h2>Depending on your employer, you may be able to sign up for COBRA to continue your health coverage. The time period for the coverage continuation usually falls around 18 months, but you’ll have to pay the full premium in addition to administration fees.

gif of larry david on snl saying "universal health care doesn't sound too crazy now, does it?"

Another option is looking at alternative health insurance options on the <a href="https://www.healthcare.gov/">Healthcare Marketplace</a> or joining your spouse’s health plan.&nbsp;<h2>Review Your 401(k) &amp; Prepare for a 401(k) Rollover</h2>Your 401(k) is 100% yours and won’t disappear just because you've been laid off. Employers will either keep it where it is, or transfer it to another 401(k) provider or Individual Retirement Account (IRA) of their choosing.&nbsp;This is where 401(k) rollovers come in. It’s a good idea to rollover your 401(k) after your last day of employment so you aren’t at the mercy of the company’s choices. When rolling over a 401(k), there’s the option of transferring it to an IRA of your choosing using tools like Capitalize or PensionBee.

&nbsp;<h2>Ask Your Boss for a Letter of Recommendation</h2>You need as many resources on your side as possible when you reenter the job market. This is where your boss can help! I mean, it’s the least they can do.

gif of simon on zoey's playlist saying "morning, boss"

Set up a quick 1-on-1 with your boss during your last weeks or months at your job to see if they can write a letter of recommendation for you and if you can use them as a reference. Another option is asking them if they can fill out a recommendation for you on LinkedIn to help your profile attract recruiters.Many folks will also post on LinkedIn that they just got laid off and are looking for another job. If you also want to do this, I recommend following <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/kelli-e-ballou-mcmillan-6ba85ba2_cisco-avaya-aws-activity-7389402559255494656-aOTI/">this example</a> and asking your manager if they can comment on it and vouch for your expertise (including at least 1 result you achieved). This is such an easy 1-minute thing they can do for you that will instantly appear in front of multiple employers at once, including your manager’s connections as well.<h2>File for Unemployment Benefits</h2>Unemployment benefits are available to laid off employees if your employer contributed to the state’s unemployment insurance program. Payments from unemployment benefits, and its duration, will depend on your state.&nbsp;Visit the U.S. Department of Labor website to find your state and <a href="https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/unemployment-insurance">file for unemployment benefits</a>.<h2>Revisit Your Finances &amp; Adjust Your Budget</h2>Now that you’ve lost your primary source of income, it’s time to review your finances. Log into your different accounts including your checking, savings, and any investment accounts to take stock of your current financial situation.&nbsp;Re-adjust your budget and cut any expenses you can. If you’ve saved an emergency fund, determine how much of it you want to use and how you can rework your budget to accommodate it.<h2>Update Your Resume &amp; LinkedIn</h2>

It’s probably been awhile since you’ve updated your resume and LinkedIn. Many of us forget about them the longer we stay at one job. It’s time to update and revamp both to help you stand out when applying for jobs.Add information about your most recent job to your resume. Update it to include not only what you did, but also include the impact and results of your contributions. We love <a href="https://get.tealhq.com/55VxqL" rel="sponsored">Teal </a>for updating your resume. It formats your resume so recruiters can find it easily and suggests ways to stand out, including how to match your resume to the jobs you’re applying to.Then update your information on LinkedIn, including your past role and the skills used in that role. Even better if you put a bullet or 2 about project results and upload or link to the work you did at each company (if you’re allowed to share that work). It’s also helpful to add keywords in your LinkedIn headline that shows exactly what you do and for who, and select that you’re “Open to work” on your profile.Also read: <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/how-to-write-a-cover-letter">How to Write An Unignorable Cover Letter (With Examples)</a>

<h2>Tap Into Your Network</h2>Your network is one of the most valuable resources when searching for a new job. Reach out to past colleagues on LinkedIn or other platforms, and any recruiters you’ve had contact with in the past.&nbsp;If you’re in any local networking groups, such as a women’s networking group or alumni organization, reconnect with them and see what events are happening near you or virtually. Online groups, like those on <a href="https://slack.com/">Slack</a>, <a href="https://www.fishbowlapp.com/">Fishbowl</a>, and <a href="https://joinhandshake.com/">Handshake</a>, can also be helpful when building a professional network. Type into Google your job title and the words “Slack groups” to find relevant groups for you.<h2>Really Think About Where You Want to Go From Here</h2>

gif with woman saying "into the next chapter of my life"

Before diving head first into a stream of endless job applications, ask yourself what you really want to do from this point on. Do you want to work for a company in the same sector? Do you want the same role? Do you want to freelance while you figure out your next move?Most people need a new job immediately to replace the loss of income, especially when they don’t have an emergency fund to fall back on. This is why many turn to freelancing during their job search. Or if they already did so as a side hustle, they lean even more into it. That’s exactly what <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/justdanamiranda/">Dana Miranda</a>, a personal finance journalist that I spoke to about her recent layoff, did after she got the news.“I didn't start applying for jobs right away or reach out for any freelance writing work. I slowly contacted a couple of people in my network about full-time writing jobs, and I decided to take the opportunity to diversify my income,” says Dana. “I don't want to be wholly reliant on the media industry, especially a single niche, for my income. So I posted to LinkedIn offering virtual assistant(VA)/operations support to see if I’d get any bites.”This was something Dana had experience in from running her own freelance business on the side of her job, and she indeed got some bites. She was able to secure 3 clients from promoting her new service on LinkedIn via one simple post. If you want to try a similar approach in your area of expertise, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/justdanamiranda_know-anyone-who-needs-a-va-in-the-wake-activity-7388599306573967360-DRe5/">follow her example</a> to get an idea for how to position yourself. She’s still looking for jobs while running her new VA service and freelance writing.Also think about how much you want to get paid and what sort of benefits you’re looking for in your next job. Our <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/salary-database">Salary Database</a> and free <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/free-market-research-guide">Market Research Guide</a> can help when setting your market salary range.&nbsp;And for your job search, our <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/job-board">Transparent Job Board</a> can help! We only post jobs that include the salary because you don’t deserve to spend hours applying to jobs that may not even pay you fairly.&nbsp;For <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/highest-paying-remote-jobs">remote jobs</a>, we love <a href="https://flexjobs.sjv.io/xL7Rm5" rel="sponsored">FlexJobs</a> (they screen every job so the job board is 100% scam-free and ghost job-free).

<h2>Take Care of What Matters Most: Yourself</h2>Job hunting is exhausting. Take it day-by-day and know that there is light at the end of this tunnel. It’s important to have some sort of structure in your days with a daily routine. Add some much-needed self care and set realistic expectations in your job search to promote a positive outlook.&nbsp;Please, please, please ask for help if you need it, whether that’s spending time with your family and friends to free your mind, working with a life or career coach, or reaching out to a mental health professional. There are people out there that can help you through this, including those in the Salary Transparent Street community.That wraps it up for this week. Until next time, stay awesome, stay strong, and keep advocating for yourself no matter what! I’m Daniella Flores, a former engineer who writes about tech, money, and careers, a current member of the<a href="https://www.cnet.com/personal-finance/financial-review-board/"> CNET Money Expert Review Board</a>, and career researcher that’s appeared in TIME, CNBC, and Investopedia (among many others). I’m extremely passionate about workers' rights and financial freedom, so it’s a pleasure to be able to bring you this type of content through the<a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub"> Resource Hub </a>(thank you for the opportunity, Hannah!) You can also follow me on<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellamarquez/"> Linkedin</a>. Chat soon! 👋If this guide helps you improve your negotiation skills, let us know! Send us an email ➡️ <a href="mailto:hello@checksalaries.com">hello@checksalaries.com</a>For more transparent resources:<ul><li>Want to join the movement? Explore thousands of individually reported salaries nationwide across all industries in our <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/salary-database">Salary Database</a>!</li><li>Do you know if you're being underpaid? <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/are-you-underpaid-free-quiz">Take our free quiz</a> to find out!</li><li>Need help determining your market rate? Download our free <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/free-market-research-guide">Market Research Guide</a> to learn what you should be making.</li><li>Need help negotiating your salary? Download our free <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/free-salary-negotiation-guide">Salary Negotiation Guide</a>!</li><li>Follow us on <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@salarytransparentstreet">TikTok</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/salarytransparentstreet/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/salarytransparentstreet">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/salarytransparentstreet">YouTube </a>and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/salarytransparentstreet/">LinkedIn </a>for daily pay transparency interviews and career news you can use!</li><li>Subscribe to our <a href="https://salarytransparentstreet.beehiiv.com/subscribe">weekly newsletter</a> for news updates, professional deep dives, learning opportunities, and more!</li></ul>

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What To Do When You Get Laid Off

When it comes to <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/negotiate-salary-offer">negotiating a job offer</a> or <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/how-to-ask-for-a-raise">asking for a raise</a>, most of us tend to focus solely on salary. We forget that our benefits are another piece in our total compensation package and when we ignore this, we’re leaving a ton of money on the table. In fact, according to the <a href="https://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.nr0.htm">United States Bureau of Labor Statistics</a>, benefits make up approximately 29% of total compensation costs.&nbsp;No amount of pizza parties are going to make up for that.

Jimmy fallon gif saying that's a lot of money

Knowing which benefits are negotiable and how to approach the subject in negotiations will help you secure a compensation package that you’re happy with.Key points:<ul><li>Negotiate your entire compensation package, not just salary.</li><li>Negotiating doesn’t always mean getting paid more money. It could also mean gaining more work-life balance through your benefits package.</li><li>Some benefits are legally required based on the size of the company and type of role.</li><li>Don’t wait until the job offer phase to bring up benefits. Leverage introductory talks with recruiters and job interviews to ask about salary and benefit information.</li><li>If a company can’t budge on salary or a specific benefit, you can get creative with your counter by bringing up other benefits to negotiate for.</li></ul>

&nbsp;<h2>What else can you negotiate besides salary?</h2>There are 2 types of benefits a company offers to its employees: statutory benefits which are mandatory and voluntary benefits that an employer chooses to offer.&nbsp;Employers are legally required to cover benefits like Medicare and Social Security, unemployment insurance, workers’ compensation insurance, health coverage, and Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) protections. If they don’t provide these benefits under the federal and state requirements set for each, they could be penalized. For instance, under the Affordable Care Act, employers with 50 or more full-time employees are legally required to provide health insurance or pay penalty fees to the IRS.

Then there are other benefits that a company may include in their benefits package to show employees their commitment to them and increase their ability to retain good talent. These are voluntarily offered by the company depending on their values and are usually negotiable depending on the company and their flexibility to offer more or less of a specific benefit.Benefits you can typically negotiate include:<ul><li>Better health benefits</li><li>Work flexibility like remote work, work-from-home or work-from-anywhere days, flexible hours, a 4 day work week, etc.</li><li>A later start date</li><li>A sign-on bonus</li><li>Stock options</li><li>More paid or unpaid vacation time</li><li>More paid time off (PTO) days</li><li>A higher matching percentage for employer-sponsored retirement plans such as <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/401k-rollovers">401(k)s</a></li><li>Volunteer days</li><li>Relocation assistance</li><li>Home office stipend</li><li>Company-paid phone plans</li><li>Transportation reimbursement</li><li>Performance incentives like bonuses</li><li>Tuition reimbursement</li><li>Learning or development stipends such as paid trainings, conference attendance, and other events</li><li>Professional memberships</li><li>More parental leave</li><li>Child care assistance</li><li>Family planning benefits</li><li>Sabbaticals</li><li>Wellness benefits like gym membership reimbursement and mental health resources</li><li>Guaranteed severance packages in the event of a <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/what-to-do-when-you-get-laid-off">layoff</a></li></ul>

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If you don’t know where to begin when negotiating benefits, ask yourself this question:What benefits would have the biggest impact on your life, health, well-being, and work-life balance?Negotiating for additional benefits isn’t only about increasing your overall compensation package but also about ensuring that you have the support you need to succeed in your role and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Knowing exactly what you want is going to make this process much easier.&nbsp;

gossip girl gif saying i know what i want and I'm gonna get it

<h2>When should you negotiate benefits?</h2>You probably don’t want to go through an entire job interview process only to find out in the job offer that they don’t offer health insurance, which is a pretty important benefit. It’s a good idea to research what benefits a company offers when applying to a job. In states like Washington, there are <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/pay-transparency-laws">pay transparency laws</a> that require employers to post both the salary and benefits in the job posting. Whether they do or don’t have that information available, you’re allowed to ask them about it at any point in the interview process (it's a great question to use as an answer to the<a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/job-interview-questions-and-answers"> job interview question</a>, "Do you have any questions for us?")Similar to discussing salary expectations in the introductory interview, it’s best to ask about the benefits package upfront along with the salary range. Use this time to set expectations with the hiring manager about what you’re looking for in a total compensation package. You can even ask for any external documentation they can share that explains their benefit package.

When you receive the job offer, be prepared to ask for any additional benefits that aren’t in the benefit package. If you’re negotiating a higher salary, you can also ask for certain benefits you would like, especially if you're countering an <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/lowball-job-offer">lowball offer</a> or if the company that can’t budge on salary.<h2>How to Negotiate Benefits in a Job Offer</h2>Remember that negotiations aren’t battles, they’re partnerships. You’re working with the hiring manager, not against them, to come to an agreement that works for the both of you. Avoid being short, cold, or too cut throat in your communication with them.When receiving and <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/negotiate-salary-offer">negotiating a job offer</a>, a good rule of thumb is to use the 24-hour rule to review the offer, so you can respond with confidence, knowing exactly what you want and how you’re going to ask for it. If they didn’t share the full compensation package with the job offer, first ask for that. This should include both the salary and benefits. Then lead with excitement and gratitude before countering with a higher salary, more benefits, or both.Refer the script structure from our <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/salary-negotiation-scripts">salary negotiation scripts </a>guide to put together a response along the lines of:“Thank you so much! I really enjoyed meeting with you, getting to know the team, and think this role is a perfect fit for me. Before accepting the offer, there are a few things I want to discuss. The salary is much lower than my market rate for this position. Based on the scope of the role, my experience, skills, and the results I’ve been able to drive in my professional career that I intend to bring to this position, I am interviewing for roles that offer a salary between [$X and $X] and [insert any benefits that are important to you]. What can we do to come to an agreement?”

If you’re only negotiating for additional benefits and are happy with the salary offer, use a script similar to this:“Thank you for this opportunity and I'm excited to work with the team! Before I accept the offer, I would like to discuss the compensation package and see if we can include a few additional benefits. My experience, skills, and value I’ve been able to demonstrate in my prior roles warrants a higher compensation package. I’d be eager to accept the offer with a $10,000 sign-on bonus, an additional 5 days of PTO, and flexible hours.”If you’ve tried to negotiate a higher salary and the company can’t budge due to budget constraints, and you really want the job, use a script like this for your counter:“Thank you for working through the details of the offer with me. I understand the company doesn’t have the budget to go higher on the salary. However, I’d be eager to accept the offer with [state the benefits you’d like to negotiate for] included in my contract.”Try to read the hiring manager to see if they are at their limit or not, and if you’re able to gently push for more.<h2>How to Negotiate Benefits When Asking for a Raise or During Employee Reviews</h2>Employee<a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/how-to-prepare-for-a-performance-review"> performance reviews</a> and raise discussions have a slightly different context than negotiating during a job offer. You’ve already been at the company for quite some time and have hard evidence of the value your work brings. Lead with that!During employee reviews, use this script as a guide to draft out your own:“Thank you for meeting with me today. I’ve been with the company for [X] years now and love the work I do, as well as the team I work with. Together, we’ve completed a number of successful projects together that yielded results like [explain some results you’ve driven in your role]. However, in that time, the scope of the role has changed with several additional responsibilities. Before I can fully commit to those, I would like to review my compensation package and reach an agreement that better suits these new responsibilities. Considering the value I bring, in addition to industry standards, similar positions recently posted on the company’s website, my experience, skills, &amp; market rate, I believe a salary of [$X] makes the most sense moving forward. I’m also interested in discussing more paid time off and a fully remote work arrangement.”

prince harry motioning a mic drop with the word Boom

<h2>Stand Your Ground</h2>You have every right, and the power, to negotiate for the benefits that matter most to you. After you state or send over your requests, leave it at that. Don’t add any fluff or passiveness that might show these are flexible and aren’t that much of a big deal to you. Embrace awkward silences and try not to cave under the pressure.&nbsp;Most importantly, once both sides come to an agreement, make sure that any negotiated benefits, perks, and salary are in writing as a part of your contract. If they’re not in your contract, they can change and take them away at any time.&nbsp;Alright, that wraps it up for this week! I’m Daniella Flores, a former software engineer turned career researcher who writes about tech, money, and different jobs. My work has been featured in TIME, CNBC, CNET, Business Insider, and Investopedia (among many others). I’m extremely passionate about workers' rights and financial freedom, so it’s a pleasure to be able to bring you this type of content through the <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub">Resource Hub</a> (thank you for the opportunity, Hannah!) If you want to connect, follow me on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellamarquez/">Linkedin</a>. Chat soon!Do you know if you're being underpaid? <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/are-you-underpaid-free-quiz">Take our free quiz</a> to find out!Need help determining your market rate? Download our free <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/free-market-research-guide">Market Research Guide</a> to learn what you should be making.Explore over 5,000+ individually reported salaries nationwide across all industries in our <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/salary-database">Salary Database</a>!Follow us on <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@salarytransparentstreet">TikTok</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/salarytransparentstreet/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/salarytransparentstreet">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/salarytransparentstreet">YouTube </a>and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/salarytransparentstreet/">LinkedIn </a>for daily pay transparency interviews and career news you can use!Subscribe to our <a href="https://salarytransparentstreet.beehiiv.com/subscribe">weekly newsletter</a> for news updates, professional deep dives, learning opportunities, and more!Send us an email ➡️ hello@checksalaries.com

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How to Negotiate Benefits & Other Things Besides Salary

On April 16th, 2022, I stood on a sidewalk in Washington, DC and asked strangers two questions that would change my life forever: What do you do? And how much do you make?Almost a year prior, I had begun a new role as a Senior Data Analyst making $90,000 supporting a military health communications contract. Unfortunately, this role quickly morphed into an unanticipated nightmare.<h1>Not What I Signed Up For</h1>Within my first month on the job, my only colleague was fired (or in contract speak, ‘reallocated to a different contract’). We were already stretched thin supporting analytics for six different departments, and with his departure, my workload tripled overnight.As the newest employee, I was scared to rock the boat and didn’t question when the role would be filled. I was certain they wouldn’t let me struggle by myself for long, but slowly I started working earlier and later. Soon I realized I was both starting and stopping work when it was dark outside. Work-life balance? I didn’t know her.Our client was stoked with my work though and as a glutton for positive feedback, I didn’t want to let them down. To keep up with the workload, I started clocking in 50+ hour weeks and began feeling the creep of burnout.&nbsp;I went to my managers, the same ones who told me they had my back and prioritized my well-being, and asked for support. This was when I learned that the funding meant to replace my fired colleague had already been spent months ago on analytics software I had no need for.&nbsp;&nbsp;At this moment, I began to question my role. What did the future hold for me here? And the biggest question of all: for all this stress, was I being fairly paid?<h2>Finding Out I Was Underpaid</h2>I typed into Google “What should a Senior Data Analyst in Washington, DC make?”. Each link I clicked on confirmed that I was underpaid roughly $20,000.&nbsp;This realization that I was underpaid hit me like a ton of bricks.&nbsp;I was confused. I thought my salary was fantastic, but each source said otherwise.&nbsp;I was angry. For months I had sacrificed so much of myself, my time, and my energy for a role in which I wasn’t even making close to my market rate.&nbsp;I was disappointed. I thought my company had my back and wouldn’t take advantage of me. At the end of the day, I was a great employee that they got at a fantastic discount.I decided to move quickly and take action. I pulled together a formal letter <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/how-to-ask-for-a-raise">requesting a raise</a> to match my market rate, which I supported with my market research, stellar reviews from our client about my work, and noting the impact I’d had on the contract.&nbsp;After several months of back-and-forth, my manager finally told me that they only granted raises to employees once they’d been with the company for at least a year, and even then, they didn’t hand out raises of more than 3-5% at any one time.<h2>What Now?</h2>I was shocked, but I refused to accept this fate. I immediately began looking for another job, and in my first interview, the recruiter asked me, “What are your salary requirements for this role?”Armed with my market research, I knew that I was looking for a range between $110,000-$120,000. I countered, “What is your budget for this role? I’m curious if my market rate falls in line with your predetermined budget.”Without skipping a beat, the recruiter responded, “Our allotted budget is around $115,000.” I told them that was exactly in line with my expectations, and a few interviews later, I accepted their offer of $115,000.Desperate to share what I had learned, I began posting videos on my personal TikTok account about these career experiences. I made a video sharing how much I made at every job I had, and the video went viral. Hundreds of people commented that they didn’t know analysts could make that much, that they worried they were underpaid too, and how this video had helped them realize their market rate.I began to conduct more research on pay transparency and learned that it would not only help close existing pay gaps that marginalized many workers, but it would also help improve employee productivity, morale, and loyalty. I realized that pay secrecy was helping companies profit off their workers by underpaying them, and something had to change.&nbsp;With that, Salary Transparent Street was born.&nbsp;<h2>Leading Change With Salary Transparent Street</h2>Our goal was simple: interview strangers about their careers, salaries, and experiences to help others recognize the value of pay transparency. Hopefully, with that momentum we could collectively demand corporations practice pay transparency. With the passage of multiple pay transparency laws in the past year and overwhelming support for pay transparency, I feel we’re achieving our goal.&nbsp;After posting our first video and going viral, I quit my analyst job to pursue this project full-time. Throughout my career, I’ve been searching for a role that would allow me to have a real impact and help people. Unbeknownst to me, realizing I was underpaid allowed me to create that dream job for myself by helping hundreds of thousands of people realize their market value and begin advocating for themselves.

Why I Started Salary Transparent Street

It's perfectly normal to ask for a pay bump, especially if you've taken on more duties, gained more experience, or if your salary needs to be adjusted to match the market. But many don't know how to ask for a raise to begin with.According to a <a href="https://www.onepoll.us/the-average-american-employee-hasnt-received-a-raise-in-three-years/">survey by OnePoll</a>, the average American hasn’t received a raise in 3 years. Those who have, received an average of 3% yearly – which doesn’t even keep up with inflation.

Don’t let your fear of asking for a raise hold you back from earning more. It isn’t like you’re asking for a favor. Raises are how employers show recognition and make sure their employees are paid fairly as their responsibilities increase. They want to retain good talent and talent usually sticks around with a <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/highest-paying-jobs-without-a-degree">high-paying job</a>.Asking for a raise is similar to <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/negotiate-salary-offer">negotiating a salary offer</a>. There are several things to consider and steps to follow. In this article, we’ll dig into how to ask for a raise, when to do it, and what to say.Key Points:<ul><li>It’s normal to ask for a raise. You won’t get fired for it.</li><li>Know when to ask for a raise and time it wisely. The best time tends to be before employee review cycles.</li><li>Be polite when asking for a raise. Negotiations aren’t fights, they’re discussions with compromises.&nbsp;</li><li>Do market research to know how much to ask for using our free <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/free-market-research-guide">Market Salary Research Guide</a>.</li><li>Build a “brag sheet” of your responsibilities and accomplishments to back up your raise request.</li><li>Know what to say (and what to not say) when discussing a raise with your manager.</li><li>Draft a rough script of what to say during the meeting and practice it with another person.</li></ul>

&nbsp;<h2>1. Know when to ask for a raise.</h2>When you ask for a raise matters a lot. Timing is crucial, considering budget fluctuations, performance evaluations, and the company's raise schedule. If you're new, it's best to wait at least six months before bringing up a raise.

Before asking, think about the current financial health of the company and the best times of the year to ask. Employers usually hold annual or quarterly <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/how-to-prepare-for-a-performance-review">performance reviews </a>with their employees, and if you have one approaching then your employer may already be preparing for a raise discussion.Employee reviews may have set raises the company gives out depending on if the employee gets “meets expectations” or “above expectations” such as 3%, 4%, 5%, and so on depending on your company’s budget. Know how to handle these discussions to negotiate a higher raise.&nbsp;For instance, if you receive a satisfactory review that only comes with a 3% raise, use your accomplishments and any recent increases of responsibility to push for more. If available, refer to the company's and team's business objectives for the year and show your manager a few ways you've met or exceeded expectations for those objectives.Another good time of the year to ask for a raise is the end of the fiscal year, which is a 12-month accounting period in which budgets are set, including salary adjustments such as raises. It may or may not align with the calendar year, so you will have to check what those dates are at your job.However, you don’t have to wait for employee reviews or a specific time of the year to ask for a raise. You should mention it frequently and check in on your goals to meet the expectations of a raise on a quarterly basis.<h2>2. How much of a raise should I ask for?</h2>When determining how much to ask for, consider your performance, achievements, and market value. It's often recommended to request a raise in the range of 5% to 15% of your current salary, but the specific amount will depend on your individual circumstances, your market rate, and the overall context of the request.&nbsp;If you don’t know your market rate, use our free<a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/free-market-research-guide"> Market Salary Research Guide</a> to calculate what that is. This involves researching typical salary ranges for your position, level of experience, location, and other factors. Our <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/salary-database">Salary Database</a> can help you with that part. &nbsp;

Underpaid? Here’s how to find your market rate using pay transparency laws! #salarytransparentstreet

Other tools to use for salary research include Glassdoor and Payscale. Once you find your market rate, adjust for your experience, role, and responsibilities and be prepared to present that data as you negotiate your salary.You can also <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/discussing-salary-with-coworkers">discuss salary with coworkers</a> about their experience with negotiating raises at the company so you know what to expect. Thanks to <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/pay-transparency-laws">pay transparency laws</a> across the United States, this is totally legal and your employer can’t retaliate against you for doing so.<h2>3. How to Set Up The Meeting With Your Manager</h2>It's important to be polite and professional in your approach when setting up a meeting with your manager to discuss a potential raise. Start by sending an email to schedule the meeting, clearly stating the purpose and desired outcome.&nbsp;Express your appreciation for their time and offer flexibility in scheduling. Provide a brief overview of the topics you'd like to discuss, including your performance, achievements, and reasons for requesting a raise. Don’t forget to schedule the meeting at a time when your manager is likely to be available and when you can have a focused and uninterrupted conversation.<h2>4. How to Ask For a Raise via Email: Template &amp; Example</h2>See below for an email template to use for your raise request, along with an example email using a real-life scenario with the position title of Digital Marketing Analyst.

Email template:Subject: Request for Salary ReviewDear [Manager's Name],I hope you’re doing well! I am extremely thankful for having the opportunity to learn and grow in my role as a [Position Title] at [Company Name]. I am proud of the work I’ve been able to contribute along with the team. As I continue to grow in my role and acquire new skills and responsibilities, I would like to take the time to discuss my performance and contributions, and request a salary review.Over the past [time period], I’ve had the opportunity to take on additional responsibilities and projects, such as [name 1 new responsibility] and [name 1 big project that you recently completed]. I believe that my efforts have contributed positively to the team and our company's goals.I’ve taken the initiative to research industry standards for my position, and based on my findings, I would like to request a salary adjustment to align with market rates. I am confident that my skills, experience, and achievements warrant this adjustment.I have outlined some key points below to support my request:<ul><li>Accomplishments: Highlight specific achievements and projects you have successfully completed.</li><li>Additional Responsibilities: Describe any additional tasks or duties you have taken on since your last salary review.</li><li>Market Research: Provide data or references to support your claim that your current salary is below market standards for your role.</li></ul>Could we schedule a meeting within the next few weeks to discuss this further? I understand your time is limited, so let me know which week works the best for you and I can find a time on the calendar that works best for the both of us. I am also willing to provide any additional information or documentation you may require.&nbsp;Thank you for considering my request and I look forward to our meeting.Sincerely,[Your Name]

Real-Life Email Example:Subject: Request for Salary ReviewDear Linda,I hope you’re doing well! I am extremely thankful for having the opportunity to learn and grow in my role as a Digital Marketing Analyst at ABC Company. I am proud of the work I’ve been able to contribute, along with the team. As I continue to grow in my role and acquire new skills and responsibilities, I would like to take the time to discuss my performance and contributions, and request a salary review.Over the past year, I’ve had the opportunity to take on additional responsibilities and projects, such as implementing a new social media advertising strategy and leading the development of our content marketing calendar. I believe that my efforts have contributed positively to the team and our company's goals.I’ve taken the initiative to research industry standards for my position, and based on my findings, I would like to request a salary adjustment to align with market rates. I am confident that my skills, experience, and achievements warrant this adjustment.I have outlined some key points below to support my request:<ul><li>Accomplishments: Successfully increased website traffic by 30% through SEO optimization and content marketing initiatives.</li><li>Additional Responsibilities: Took on an additional role of managing our influencer marketing partnerships, resulting in a 25% increase in brand visibility and engagement.</li><li>Market Research: According to recent data from industry reports and job postings, the average salary for Digital Marketing Analysts with similar experience and qualifications is $80,000.</li></ul>Could we schedule a meeting within the next few weeks to discuss this further? I understand your time is limited, so let me know which week works the best for you and I can find a time on the calendar that works best for the both of us. I am also willing to provide any additional information or documentation you may require.Thank you for considering my request, and I look forward to our meeting.Sincerely,Stephanie<h2>5. Prepare for the meeting.</h2>

Before your meeting with your manager, refer to the accomplishments, additional responsibilities, and market research that you included in your email. Then, expand on any other accomplishments that weren’t mentioned.&nbsp;A great way to do this is to create a brag sheet that includes all your “wins”. It’s best to note these throughout the year on a spreadsheet or in your notes app on your phone. But if you haven’t been doing that, go through your old emails and past projects (and their results) to gather what you’ve done.&nbsp;It’s also helpful to look for emails with testimonials from colleagues and management praising you. Save any emails with praise to a specific folder in Outlook for easy retrieval.From there, think about what you’ll say in the meeting and how to say it.<h2>6. Draft a rough script and practice, practice, practice.</h2>Another way to prepare for the meeting with your manager is to create a conversational script of what you want to say and how you’ll say it.&nbsp;The script may go something like this:Employee: Thank you for taking the time to meet with me, [Manager's Name]. I appreciate the opportunity to discuss my performance and potential salary adjustments.Manager: Of course, [Your Name]. What specifically did you want to discuss regarding your performance and compensation?Employee: Over the past year, I've taken on additional responsibilities and projects, such as [mention specific examples]. I believe these contributions have positively impacted our team and the company's goals. Considering industry standards, similar positions recently posted on the company’s website, my experience, skills, &amp; market rate, I believe a salary of [$X] makes the most sense moving forward.Manager: I see. Your contributions have definitely been valuable to the team. Let me look into the salary data you've provided and consider how it aligns with our budget and company policies.Employee: I understand and look forward to your response.Manager: Thank you for your understanding. Let me review the information you've provided and follow up with you soon.Employee: Thank you, [Manager's Name]. I appreciate your time and support.This conversation may differ depending on your unique situation and why you’re asking for a raise. To build confidence as you prepare, rehearse with another person to get acclimated to how the conversation may flow. Recording yourself to note your body language and speech patterns can also be a helpful way to prepare.For more scripts to use when negotiating salary, raises, and benefits, use our <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/salary-negotiation-scripts">salary negotiation scripts</a>.<h2>7. Crush the meeting.</h2>

Come into the meeting with an open mind. You’ll have better luck negotiating if you’re clear and direct without being defensive. Negotiations aren’t fights, they’re discussions.Think of why your manager would want to give you a raise. How long have you been there? How have your responsibilities increased or changed since you were hired? When your job description changes, your pay should reflect that. All of these factors should be considered during this conversation.This is where you present your accomplishments and explain their business value. This is basically anything you’ve contributed that you can show how it positively affected the business (use that brag sheet!).&nbsp;For example, one of your accomplishments could be: “I’ve been leading several projects to correct website defects, which resulted in an increase in website traffic that eventually led to more product purchases. In these projects, I am taking on additional responsibilities that would normally be under a more senior position.” This shows how your contributions directly affected their profits&nbsp;<h2>8. What happens if the answer is “no”?</h2>The worst thing they can say is no. Right? But, what do you do when your request is rejected? If you don’t get the raise you hoped for, you might be able to compromise with your employer and <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/negotiate-benefits">negotiate for additional benefits</a> like flex work and more vacation time.If the answer is something along the lines of a “maybe”, be patient because it’s likely your manager has to revisit the team’s budget or get approval for your request.&nbsp;<h2>9. Send a follow up email after the meeting thanking your manager for their time.</h2>Your manager's time is probably limited and there are many things they might forget throughout the work day. Sending a followup email after the meeting that thanks them for their time and recaps key points will keep your request on the top of their mind.

Include your accomplishments in key points to make it easier for your manager if they have to get approval. Also link to your market research data that you referred to in the meeting.&nbsp; Managers love when their employees help make their job easier in ways like this.<h2>What Not to Say When Asking for a Pay Raise</h2>Now that we’ve covered all the things that you should say when asking for a raise, let’s cover what NOT to say.Avoid any of these statements if you want your raise request to be taken seriously:<ul><li>"I've been here longer than most people, so I should get a raise."</li><li>“I deserve a raise.”</li><li>"I heard [colleague's name] got a raise, so I should too."</li><li>"I'm struggling financially and need more money."</li><li>"I'll quit if I don't get a raise."</li><li>"I know the company is doing well financially, so why haven't I received a raise yet?"</li></ul><h2>Why You Should Always Negotiate</h2>Asking for a raise can sometimes mean the difference between a $85k and <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/100k-salary-cities">$100k salary</a>. Imagine what you could do with that money!&nbsp;Negotiations are nothing to be scared of. These are standard procedures with employers, so make good use of them.

This is why <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/the-importance-of-salary-transparency">salary transparency is so important</a>. It gives you both the data and confidence to navigate negotiations, and get paid what you deserve.&nbsp;<h2>Are you underpaid? Find out with our free quiz 👇</h2>&nbsp;

Want to learn more about how pay discrimination shows up in everyday work-life? Read our weekly Salary Transparent Street newsletter to stay up to date on all things compensation, money, and getting paid what you’re worth.

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Want to join the movement? Explore over 5,000+ individually reported salaries nationwide across all industries in our <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/salary-database">Salary Database</a>!Author note: I’m Daniella Flores, a former engineer who writes about tech, money, and careers, a current member of the <a href="https://www.cnet.com/personal-finance/financial-review-board/">CNET Money Expert Review Board</a>, and career researcher that’s appeared in TIME, CNBC, and Investopedia (among many others). I’m extremely passionate about workers' rights and financial freedom, so it’s a pleasure to be able to bring you this type of content through the <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub">Resource Hub</a> (thank you for the opportunity, Hannah!) You can also follow me on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellamarquez/">Linkedin</a>. Chat soon!If this guide helps you to get a raise, let us know! Send us an email ➡️ <a href="mailto:hello@checksalaries.com">hello@checksalaries.com</a>For more Salary Transparent Street resources:<ul><li>Do you know if you're being underpaid? <a href="https://salarytransparentstreet.beehiiv.com/p/underpaid-quiz">Take our free quiz</a> to find out!</li><li>Need help determining your market rate? Download our free <a href="https://view.flodesk.com/pages/626ccc8e1e8046b220253e47">Market Research Guide</a> to learn what you should be making.</li><li>Need help negotiating your salary? Download our free <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/free-salary-negotiation-guide">Salary Negotiation Guide</a>!</li><li>Follow us on <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@salarytransparentstreet">TikTok</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/salarytransparentstreet/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/salarytransparentstreet">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/salarytransparentstreet">YouTube </a>and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/salarytransparentstreet/">LinkedIn </a>for daily pay transparency interviews and career news you can use!</li><li>Subscribe to our <a href="https://salarytransparentstreet.beehiiv.com/subscribe">weekly newsletter</a> for news updates, professional deep dives, learning opportunities, and more!</li></ul>

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