The best ways to get paid what you deserve

In a perfect world, every job advert would include the salary, or at the very least, a salary range. And we would all feel comfortable enough to ask about or negotiate on salary, at the interview stage.However, we’re not living in a perfect world, and many are faced with obstacles at every stage of the recruitment process. Some companies still choose not to display pay brackets on their job adverts, and the government’s pay transparency scheme, launched just over six months ago, hasn’t made an impact.And now, given the cost-of-living crisis, it’s never been more important for candidates to see what a potential employer is willing to pay for their role.

The lack of salary transparency impacts everyone, but it’s particularly detrimental to women, and things are getting worse, not better. Recent research* shows that more than two-thirds (67%) of women feel uncomfortable negotiating salary when applying for a new job, and 69% felt that taking a career break has negatively impacted their confidence during their search for work.

The cost-of-living crisis has resulted in more than three-quarters (77%) of women looking for roles with higher pay, understandably, and young women aged 18-24 are most affected by rising costs with over four in five (83%) stating that they are now looking for a role which offers a higher salary.

Over eight in 10 (83%) women reveal they’re unlikely to apply for a job if the salary isn’t listed on the job advert – highlighting that job seekers could be missing out on their dream jobs due to the lack of transparency around pay.

It’s completely natural to feel nervous about discussing pay, so I’ve pulled together my top seven tips for managing your salary expectations and landing that dream job with the salary you deserve:

1. Ask upfront. It’s always beneficial to talk about your pay expectations (and benefits) at the very start of any interview process. Asking about the salary available for the job at the start will ensure you don’t waste your time and the time of the hiring manager
2. Be direct. If possible, it’s better to determine what your prospective employer is willing to pay before you give your expectations
3. Make your conversation about your job search, not your current salary. For example, when a recruiter or hiring manager asks what you are earning now, instead of disclosing your current salary you can flip the conversation to say “I’m focusing on jobs that pay at least £30,000 per annum”
4. Do your research. Having a better understanding of the current market rate will help you feel more confident about having sometimes difficult conversations. Our brand-new Average Salary Checker on the Reed.co.uk mobile app displays the average salary and the ‘lowest’ and highest’ salaries on any searched job
5. Check what the company has already published.Explore the company’s careers page to see if they have published information on salaries. This will give you a better understanding of their pay bandings (if published) and their policy around reward
6. Understand the company’s culture. Taking the time to research and understand the culture and values of the role you are applying for can make things easier when navigating a conversation around pay
7. Work with a recruiter. It’s worth teaming up with a recruiter who can represent you and put you forward for roles. Their services are free, and they will be able to negotiate your salary for you – win, win! Head to Reed.com to find yourself a local specialist recruiter who can help