Lack of assertion sets back Fil-Am professionals at work

Young Filipino professionals attend a talk on salary negotiations. INQUIRER/Isabela Basco

WASHINGTON, DC — Only 45.2 percent of Asian Americans negotiate their salary compared with 52.7 percent of African Americans, 53.3 percent of Hispanic Americans and 58.6 percent of white Americans, according to Fractl, the content marketing website.

A presentation by Ryan Namata, a human resources professional, addressed this problem at a salary negotiations event sponsored by Filipino Young Professionals in here.

Several young Filipino American professionals showed up in Judiciary Square to discuss the importance of salary negotiations before accepting a first job offer.

Namata, the president of the National Association of Asian American Professionals, revealed what HR departments are usually thinking when negotiating salaries with prospective employees.

According to Namata, HR expects a counter-offer from you: It is why the first offer is verbal.

Job descriptions have salary ranges because HR expects professionals to give counter offers. “You look silly to me when you do not counter,” Namata said.

As an experienced recruiter and human resources professional, Namata has noticed that Asians never negotiate their salary in comparison with their counterparts.

No federal laws prohibit negotiating one’s salary, so Namata wants to change these notions.

Step 1: The Counter

There are three steps in a salary negotiation process. The first is giving a counter offer to the company’s offer.

At first, potential hires should be gracious and thank the company for the offer. After that, flex your muscles and get down to business, Namata said.

Job applicants should conduct research prior to getting their first offer and inform HR on what they researched as a competitive salary.

They should volunteer the salaries they were expecting for their education, experience and qualifications and discuss how they have competing offers from other companies.

Human resources expert Ryan Namata explains the dynamics of  salary negotiations. INQUIRER/Isabella Basco

Overall, knowing your worth is the most important prerequisite before approaching this first step.

Step 2: Negotiating Total Rewards

Asking for more is not being demanding. In fact, it can help you work better.

Namata insisted professionals should ask for more vacation days, stock options (if the company is publicly traded) and a flexible schedule.

“It could help with your quality of life,” Namata said.

Step 3.0: Close the Deal

Closing the deal involves two parts: Get it in writing and work hard.

Filipino professionals at the event were impressed and thankful for learning negotiation skills that they hope to practice in their next jobs.

Christal Simanski, the president of Filipino Young Professionals said, “It is more important for women to negotiate their salaries because we need to close the gender gap.”

She has a point. According to an article from Glassdoor, women are less likely to negotiate salaries compared with men. White men are the most likely to ask for more money.

The Harvard Business Review reported that white men are 1.8 times more likely to ask for more money than Asian American women.

And while men are generally more comfortable asking for a raise than women are, Asian American men are an exception and are also uncomfortable asking.

Cultural reasons

Simanski believes the discrepancies in negotiations are because of cultural backgrounds.

“As Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, we have a sense of gratitude and we do not want to rock the boat,” Simanski said. “Still, we need to break those stereotypes.”

Historically, Asian American cultures value respecting authority and avoiding conflict. While these values are usually admirable, they can be detrimental to the workforce because white men are more likely to be assertive professionally.

The Harvard Business Review also reports that professionals would be more comfortable negotiating their salaries with someone of similar background.

Christal Simanski, president of Filipino Young Professionals discusses why Asian American women need to be more assertive. INQUIRER/Isabella Basco

Around 50 percent of Asian Americans feel comfortable asking for a raise from someone of the same race.

The study concluded that 62 percent of Asian women were denied a raise because of their race, gender or both.

Still, race and gender should not hinder professionals’ abilities to negotiate their salaries.

“I have seen too many Asians not negotiate with me on their salaries,” Namata said. “I do not know why we do not, but I want to see all of you do it.”