Welcome!

Unlock Your Earnings Potential

To our comprehensive guide, designed especially for the dynamic and talented women in tech who are ready to bridge the pay gap and achieve the financial recognition they truly deserve.

In this guide, we will take you through six essential steps, providing valuable resources and insights at each stage of your journey to wage equality.

Step #1: Know Your Worth

UNDERSTAND YOUR MARKET VALUE

• Salary Research Tools:

  • Glassdoor

  • Salary Expert

  • Salary.com

  • Payscale

SELF-ASSESSMENT TECHNIQUES

• Create a comprehensive list of your skills, experiences, and accomplishments.

• Seek feedback from mentors, colleagues, and industry peers to gain a well-rounded perspective of your strengths.

NEGOTIATION RESOURCES

• Read books like "Women Don't Ask" by Linda Babcock and Sara Laschever for negotiation strategies tailored to women.

Step #2: Develop Your Skills

ONLINE LEARNING PLATFORMS

• Explore platforms like Coursera, edX, and LinkedIn Learning for a vast array of tech courses.

• Consider specialized tech bootcamps to upskill in high-demand areas.

INDUSTRY CONFERENCES AND EVENTS

• Attend tech conferences like Grace Hopper Celebration and Women in Tech Summit to learn, network, and stay updated on industry trends.

CERTIFICATIONS

• Pursue certifications from renowned institutions like CompTIA, Cisco, and Microsoft to validate your expertise.

Step #3: Build Your Network

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

• Join associations like Women in Technology International (WITI) and Women Who Code for networking events and mentorship opportunities.

ONLINE COMMUNITIES

• Engage in tech-focused forums and communities such as GitHub, Stack Overflow, and Reddit to connect with peers and experts.

MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS

• Seek mentorship through programs like TechWomen and MentorNet to gain guidance from experienced professionals.

COACHING PROGRAMS

• Join coaching programs that offer a community of support and bring you valuable insights.

Step #4: Negotiate Like a Pro

NEGOTIATION TIPS

• Consider the Entire Compensation Package: Don't just focus on base salary. Take into account benefits, bonuses, stock options, and other perks.

• Choose the Right Time: Ideally, negotiate after you've received a job offer, not during the initial interview. This shows your commitment to the role.

• Practice Your Pitch: Prepare a concise and confident statement explaining why you deserve a higher salary based on your skills, experience, and market research.

• Be Professional and Courteous: Maintain a positive and respectful tone throughout the negotiation. Avoid making ultimatums or appearing confrontational.

• Listen Actively: Pay attention to the employer's response. They may have valid reasons for their initial offer. Be open to compromise.

Step #5: Promote Equity and Inclusion

ADVOCACY RESOURCES

• Familiarize yourself with organizations and initiatives like #Changetheratio, which promotes gender diversity in tech.

PARTICIPATE IN INCLUSIVITY INITIATIVES

• Join or create diversity and inclusion committees within your workplace to drive positive change.

STAY INFORMED

• Keep up with industry news and research on diversity and inclusion practices.

Step #6: Practice Self-Advocacy

BE CONFIDENT

• Believe in your abilities and worth.

• Don't be afraid to ask for what you want, including a fair salary.

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

• Understand the Equal Pay Act of 1963, which prohibits employers from paying men and women different wages for equal work.

• Learn about the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), which enforces the Equal Pay Act.

NEGOTIATE AND ADVOCATE

• Be prepared to negotiate and advocate for yourself.

• Build relationships with mentors and sponsors who can help you advance your career.

• Speak up against gender discrimination and bias.

Taking Action

• You can file a pay discrimination complaint with the EEOC if you believe you are being paid less than a man for equal work. The EEOC will investigate your complaint and take appropriate action.

• You can also file a pay discrimination complaint with your state equal employment opportunity agency.

• Seek assistance from non-profit organizations like the National Women's Law Center and the American Association of University Women for pay discrimination complaints.

Congratulations on taking the first steps towards closing the pay gap in the tech industry. Remember, you are not alone in this journey. By following these steps and utilizing the provided resources, you're equipped to break through the glass ceiling and achieve the financial recognition you deserve.

Sample Emails

Sample 1 - Negotiating a Higher Salary Offer After an Initial Offer

Subject: Salary Negotiation for [Job Title]

Dear [Hiring Manager's Name],

I hope this email finds you well. I want to express my sincere gratitude for offering me the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. I am thrilled about the opportunity to join your team and contribute to the company's success.

After careful consideration and further research into industry standards and the responsibilities of the role, I would like to discuss the salary package. While I am excited about the position, I believe an adjustment to the initial offer is necessary to reflect my qualifications, experience, and the current market conditions.

Based on my research and experience in a similar role, I would like to propose a base salary of [Your Desired Salary]. This figure aligns more closely with industry standards and acknowledges the value I can bring to [Company Name].

I want to reiterate my enthusiasm for the role and my desire to make a significant impact at [Company Name]. I am confident that with this adjustment, I can fully dedicate myself to the position and excel in it.

I am open to discussing this further and am willing to consider a comprehensive benefits package as well. Please let me know your thoughts on this matter, and if possible, let's schedule a time for a discussion.

Thank you once again for considering me for this role. I look forward to your response and the opportunity to work together.

Sincerely, [Your Name]

Sample 2 - Revisiting Salary Discussion for [Job Title] Position

Subject: Revisiting Salary Discussion for [Job Title] Position

Dear [Hiring Manager's Name],

I trust this message finds you well. I'd like to express my sincere appreciation for the offer extended for the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. I'm enthusiastic about the opportunity to contribute to your team's success and be part of [Company Name]'s continued growth.

After a thorough review of the offer, I believe there's room for us to explore additional options in the overall compensation package, as I understand you need to be fair to others in the team. Given the pay gap in relation to my qualifications and industry standards, I would like to propose a combination of adjustments and additional benefits to address this gap effectively.

Here is a comprehensive breakdown of my proposed compensation package:

1. Performance-Based Bonuses: I'm open to discussing a performance-based bonus structure, which would tie a portion of my compensation to achieving key performance indicators (KPIs) and meeting or exceeding targets. This could provide an extra incentive for me to excel in the role.

2. Joining Bonus: Given the pay gap and as an acknowledgment of my qualifications, I propose a one-time joining bonus of [Desired Joining Bonus] upon my successful onboarding and commencement of work at [Company Name]. This would help bridge the gap effectively.

3. Stock Options or Equity: If applicable to your organization, I would be interested in discussing the possibility of stock options or equity as part of my compensation. This would align my interests with the long-term success of [Company Name].

4. Additional Benefits: In addition to the base salary, we could consider enhancing the benefits package with options such as increased paid time off, health and wellness benefits, or professional development opportunities. These benefits would contribute to my overall job satisfaction and well-being.

I want to reiterate my dedication to [Company Name] and my commitment to delivering exceptional results in this role. By exploring these options, I believe we can structure a compensation package that motivates me to excel and addresses the pay gap effectively.

I am eager to discuss these possibilities further and find a solution that aligns with both our interests. Please let me know if you have any questions or if we can arrange a meeting to delve into these options in more detail.

Thank you for your consideration, and I look forward to your response.

Sincerely, [Your Name]

Sample 3 - Request for Salary Adjustment with Promotion

Subject: Request for Salary Adjustment with Promotion

Dear [Manager Name],

I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to discuss an important matter regarding my role at [Company Name]. I am truly grateful for the opportunities I've had to contribute to the team's success and to grow within the company.

As we've recently discussed my promotion to [New Job Title], I am excited about the increased responsibilities and the chance to make an even greater impact on our projects and objectives. With this new role in mind, I'd like to discuss the accompanying salary adjustment.

I've been with [Company Name] for [X] years, and during this time, I have consistently delivered results and taken on additional responsibilities. To align my compensation with my new position and the value I bring to the company, I propose a base salary of [Your Desired Salary]. I believe this reflects my contributions and is in line with industry standards for similar roles.

I am dedicated to [Company Name] and eager to continue making a meaningful difference. I believe that this salary adjustment will further motivate me to excel in my new role and support our team's objectives.

I am open to discussing this further and would appreciate your feedback and insights. Could we schedule a meeting to explore this matter in more detail?

Thank you for your consideration, and I look forward to your response.

Sincerely, [Your Name]

Sample 4 - Request for Salary Increase

Subject: Request for Salary Increase

Dear [Supervisor's Name],

I hope this message finds you well. I've enjoyed being a part of the [Department/Team Name] for [X] years and have appreciated the opportunities for growth and learning that [Company Name] has provided me.

I wanted to discuss my current compensation, which I believe doesn't fully reflect my contributions and the increased responsibilities I've taken on over the past year. Given my achievements, including [mention specific accomplishments], I kindly request a salary adjustment.

I propose a base salary of [Your Desired Salary], which I believe is more in line with the market rate for someone in my role with my level of experience. This adjustment would not only acknowledge my hard work but also motivate me to continue delivering outstanding results for [Company Name].

I value my role here and am dedicated to our team's success. I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss this further. Could we schedule a meeting to explore this matter in more detail?

Thank you for your understanding and consideration.

Sincerely, [Your Name]