Friday, October 31, 2014

Gainfully Employed.

Yesterday's dry run of Alice's costume.

Good news! I got the job in the Emergency Department. I am officially going back to work! And even more good news! They accepted my negotiation and gave me more money.

This was the first time that I've negotiated my salary and boy, was it a nerve-racking experience. When I got a voicemail from the recruitment office, I talked with Lee before calling them back to ask him whether or not I should negotiate my salary. He said, "Yes. Absolutely."

The first thing I said to him was, "Okay. How?!"

Lee walked me through what he thought I should say, there was some role-playing and then some tweaking of my approach before I finally felt comfortable enough to return that phone call.

I was able to say most of what I wanted to in my negotiation of my hourly rate but I didn't feel comfortable throwing out a number like Lee had suggested. For some reason it felt too pushy. After I hung up and recounted the conversation to Lee I felt like I'd missed an opportunity by not asking for the number I had in mind.

Why is it when a man asks for more money he is being assertive but when a woman asks, she is being pushy? Hopefully Ididnt come across that way in my negotiation conversation but I believe the reason the recruiter told me that they don't negotiate salaries at that hospital and they only go off of years of experience as a nurse is because I work in a field that is dominated by women and women notoriously do not ask for more money when being offered a job.

I'll admit that when the recruiter didn't get back to me in the timeframe she'd committed to, I worried that I'd made a huge mistake by asking for more money and my brain immediately went into overdrive thinking that they probably went with another less-pushy candidate who would be happy to take the job for whatever rate they offered. When I admitted this thought process to Lee, he reassured me that I'd done the right thing and that if they were truly considering someone else with possibly less experience who would work for less money, then I shouldn't want to work there anyway.

Luckily that wasn't he case and now I am gainfully employed.

Happy Halloween! I'm 5 mini-candy bars into the day. How about you?!

Weekly Workouts: Monday - CrossFit! 5 x 5 back squat (105 lbs), then Annie! 9:47 Rx. Tuesday - Rest day! Wednesday - 20 min AMRAP of 2 rope climbs + 200 meter run + 1 prowler push (140lbs) + 30 DUs + 10 burpee box jumps (3 rounds + 2 rope climbs + 200m run + prowler push). Thursday - CrossFit! Heavy 2 position clean and jerk (100 lbs), then 5 RFT of 500 meter row + 5 power cleans (75lbs). Friday - Rest day!


  1. Congratulations on the new job! That's so great that you were able to negotiate the salary. Earlier this year I read Lean In by Sheryl Sandburg & her book has really changed how I assert myself at work. Your pay negotiation reminded me of a few anecdotes in her book. Congrats again x

  2. PS Alice looks so cute in her costume!!

  3. Congratulations on the new job. And good for you on negotiating on the salary. I feel the same way: "when a man asks for more money, it's perceived as assertive (and expected!) but when a woman asks for more money, it's perceived as pushy." So unfair. So my hat off to you for actually negotiating. I think I'd be in a cold sweat trying to negotiate.

    Here's to a new chapter! Looking forward to hear how returning to the workforce sits with you.

  4. YaaaHooo! A job! It will be a good change. You are such a great nurse. They are so going to love you there. Congratulations. We love you!

  5. Congratulations to you!

    And, I am totally jealous ;)


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