Know (And Show) Your Worth: Navigating Salary Negotiations

By Christine Lee, Liquidnet

2025 STA WIF Chair

It’s official – review (and bonus!) season is here. Whether you’ve already had your annual meeting or you’re still waiting for that invite to hit your calendar, this is a time to reflect on several aspects of your career: your growth this past year, expectations of yourself and your team for the coming year, and – most importantly – if you’re happy with your current path. For some, a new year could mean it’s time for new career chapter.

For others, maybe it’s time to revisit things like compensation, titles, and benefits. This might seem like an uncomfortable topic to approach with your manager, but these conversations will ultimately help you build your brand and set your desired career path, even if the outcome requires a bit of flexibility. This is especially important for women in male-dominated fields, who have historically been less compelled to have these conversations.

A recent study shows a promising new trend, however – women are making the ask, sometimes even more than male coworkers with comparable education levels and experience. Here are a few tips to approaching this conversation with your manager:

1. Prepare a “You” Portfolio: While it’d be great to get a raise or promotion after simply asking for one, that probably won’t happen – backing up your case is key. Did you bring additional clients to the firm? Did you take on a new, more independent role? Whatever you’d like to showcase, be prepared to discuss it (bring some numbers if you can!) and highlight your value to the company.
2. Practice Your Pitch: Although “winging it” might seem easier, even highly-trained movie stars need to rehearse! Write down your key points for the conversation, and give it a few run-throughs – this will help you remain direct and focused.
3. Be Confident: This might seem like a given, but it’s the most important step to any professional ask – the more you trust yourself and your ability, the easier the conversation will be.

At STA WIF, our main priority is advocating for the unique career needs of women in our industry, who bring a wealth of talent and experience to our member firms and markets as a whole. For those looking to initiate a conversation around salary, benefits, or anything that you believe will allow you to shine brighter – you can make it happen!

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