Step up negotiation skills – HR Director advises youth

Human Resource Director at Vodafone Ghana, Hannah Ashiokai Akrong, has urged women to step up their negotiation skills when applying for jobs.

According to her, the inability for women to negotiate well when applying for a job is the reason most woman receive less than their actual worth.

“Research says women always negotiate less strongly than men and end up in roles paying less than what they are actually worth. As women, we need to step up our negotiation skills, know what you’re worth and what the market pays.”

She advised women moving into a particular industry to consult persons in that industry for a fair knowledge of their pay structure.

“Talking to them will help you with information on the average pay and if you’re an entry level staff you already know you will be starting at the bottom of the range and move up eventually. But if you have 3 years’ experience, you have to be bold in your negotiation skills and be confident about the abilities you’re bringing to the table.”

Sharing these insights on Y107.9FM’s Leaderboard Series hosted on the Myd Morning Radio Show with Rev Erskine, Hannah Ashiokai added that once the career women get in the organization, they have the opportunity to also negotiate for salary increase and other benefits.

“My advice is that, if you’re in an organization where you have a supportive team, management and leadership and access to development opportunities but receive less salary compared to friends at smaller sized organization don’t rush to make a move”.

‘…I see this all the time when people are being poached by organizations because of their experience. Because you’ve worked with ‘Vodafone’, they want that experience from you. it’s more of them wanting and looking at what you can give in return they give you something equally big and that’s money,” she stated.

Although such opportunities may look mouthwatering, Hannah advised career persons to look beyond the money to their career advancement and prospects if not they will end up being big fishes in small pond.

“I have seen it so many times. When you look at CVs you will see someone worked at this really great organization where they did very well and moved to some obscure place. After working there for a few years, they realize they cannot take it anymore, it becomes very difficult for them to move to another great brand. The question every employer will ask is why you left that great brand to the smaller one. Think holistically before making the jump. I mean money is always good but it can’t be all things,” she said.

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