Close the Expectations Gap: How Gen Z Women Can Earn What They Deserve

Before many Gen Z women even enter the workforce, they’ve learned to lower their pay expectations. A recent Handshake report shows Gen Z women expect a $6,000 lower average salary compared to men. In addition to the gender pay gap, there’s clearly also an “expectations gap” for Gen Z women at work.

Pew Research reported this month that the gender pay gap in the U.S. hasn’t changed much in two decades — in 2022, women were still earning an average of 82% of what men earn, similar to the 80% in 2002. The gap isn’t anything new and it seems to be sticking around.

If you’re a Gen Z woman in the workforce, you may be earning (and expecting) less than you deserve. While pay inequity is structural and will take time and collective effort to shift, here are a few things that might help when you’re looking for your next role:

  1. Ask for the salary range early on in the interview process. Listing the salary range in a job description is becoming more and more common. But if that info isn't there, you’re within your rights to ask for it. And if the employer isn’t open to sharing that information, it might be a sign that it’s not somewhere you’ll want to work.

  2. Ask how much your peers make — and share your salary, too. Learning more about what different people around your age and experience level make can help you start to close the “expectations gap. "We've found that Gen Zers value transparency and are generally more open to having salary discussions than previous generations and are more likely to feel comfortable sharing their salary with their peers," Vaishali Sabhahit, Global Head of University Talent at Adobe, told Insider.

  3. Negotiate your salary before accepting an offer. If your pay expectations are lower, you might be less likely to negotiate. But it’s an important part of the process. Especially if you’re given a salary range, tell your hiring manager about all of your relevant skills and experience that would put you at the top of that range. You can also ask about how future title and salary changes work at that company.

  4. Get clear on what’s in (and out) of your control. The gender pay gap isn’t fair. And structurally, it’s not in your control. So, if you’re starting to feel overwhelmed when looking for your next role, that’s completely understandable. It can sometimes help to make a list of what is in your control, like the jobs you do (or don’t) apply for, the questions you ask in interviews, and the other research you’re doing throughout the process.

  5. Work with a coach. It can help to have a dedicated coach to support you during the process. Mental health coaches can help you manage stress around the application and interview process. They can role-play effective communication when you’re preparing to ask for a raise at work. You might be surprised by how helpful it is to have a coach by your side throughout the process.

If you want to explore affordable coaching for added support and clarity during your job search, schedule a session today at https://bit.ly/wavepaygap.

Previous
Previous

Feeling Overwhelmed at Work? Here's How to Manage the Fight, Flight, or Freeze Response

Next
Next

A peek into Dr. Sarah Adler’s panel on “A New Generation: Mental Health and the Future of Care” at SXSW 2023