NEW YORK (February 27, 2024) — In celebration of Women's History Month, interview-coaching service TopInterview today announced its latest survey results, revealing that women are more honest than men during salary negotiations — which can ultimately hurt their earning potential. According to the new data, women are less likely to exaggerate their previous salary when negotiating a job offer, widening the salary gaps with their male peers.

In fact, when asked, “Have you ever lied about or exaggerated your salary?” less than one-third (32%) of women admitted to doing so, whereas nearly half of men (46%) boasted that they lied. Moreover, despite their commendable integrity, women are less likely to proactively seek a salary increase. When asked, “Have you asked for a salary increase in 2023?” less than half of women (45%) self-advocated for higher pay versus three out of five men (63%).

"From the time we're children, boys are regarded as 'leaders,' while girls are labeled as 'bossy' for exhibiting the same behaviors. Unfortunately, this mentality follows us into adulthood and our professional lives,” said Amanda Augustine, career expert for TopInterview and a certified professional career coach (CPCC) and certified professional resume writer (CPRW). “If you don't advocate for what you want, you won't get it. It's vital for women to not only promote their successes, but also proactively pursue the opportunities and compensation they want."

Augustine shares the following three tips on how to boost your confidence, while accelerating your career development:

  • Seek and secure mentors. The right mentor can be a powerful tool in your career arsenal, whether you're new to the workforce or a seasoned manager. Not only can mentors help shape your professional skills, but they can also teach you the “ins and outs” of your industry, help you navigate corporate politics, overcome adversity, and introduce you to the right people and resources to advance your career.

  • Be your own publicist. If you want to get ahead, you must deliver results above expectations — as well as be recognized for your accomplishments. If you're working on a challenging project, share your enthusiasm — and progress — with your boss. Keep your manager in the loop so they know you're successfully handling responsibilities. At the end of the project, share the results — especially if they've exceeded the original target or goal.

  • Build a brag book. Develop your own brag book — a document or file stored on a personal device that chronicles your accomplishments, major contributions, and greatest strengths. Include positive feedback you've received from colleagues or management, client reviews, and customer testimonials that reflect your performance. These quantifiable details will not only help you update your resume when it's time to search for your next role, but you can also use this information when preparing to negotiate a raise or promotion.

“Undeniably, our latest survey reveals a tremendous confidence gap between genders, most concerningly during job interviews, which is one of the single-most effective opportunities for women to increase their salary,” said Augustine. “Whether it's securing a position at a new company or getting ahead at your current one, failing to promote your own successes and assertively manage your career can result in losing out to desirable projects, career-advancement opportunities, as well as raises and promotions.''

Despite attitudinal differences, TopInterview's survey did reveal two insights in which women and men aligned in their responses:

  • Women are just as likely as men to ask a coworker how much they earn (“Would you like to or have you ever asked a colleague how much they earn to see how your salary ranks?”): 62% of women would ask a coworker about their salary, nearly equaling their male counterparts (67%).

  • Although women are less likely to share salary information with their coworker, they are just as likely as men to exaggerate when it comes to their accomplishments (“Have you ever told a lie on a job application or during the interview process?”). Nearly one-fifth of both genders (18% of men and 14% of women) admitted to lying and/or exaggerating on their resume or during a job interview.

*Between October 9 and October 10, 2023, TopInterview surveyed 350 U.S. employees. The questions asked, responses, and percentage of respondents have been aforementioned.

About TopInterview:

TopInterview, a Talent Inc. company, is a network of expert career coaches focused on demystifying the interview process and instilling confidence in job seekers across the US. Job seekers work one-on-one with professionals experienced in HR and recruiting practices to create custom interview strategies and get the practice they need to impress at their next interview. Follow TopInterview on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and X.

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