The career advice you never knew you needed, straight to your inbox.
I never negotiated my salary. Not once.
Not because I didn't want to. But because I genuinely believed the story I was told: "Salaries are fixed. There's a salary house. This is just how it works."
I accepted it. I moved on. And I left money on the table.
Now, after helping 550+ women break into Finance, I know better. And I want to make sure you do too.
Always, always negotiate.
Even if the answer is no you've started a conversation that will follow your entire career.
My husband talks about his work and his compensation every single month. Not to be difficult, just a small, consistent nudge. A reminder of the value he brings. So that when budget opens up and someone has to decide who gets a raise, his name is already top of mind. They know exactly what he's working on. They want to keep him. And they know how to keep him.
That's not bragging. That's strategy. And it's one most women in Finance were never taught to play.
Of course, read the room. If you're underperforming, this isn't the moment. But if you're (over)delivering? Say it out loud. Ask for what you've earned.
Here's how to build that conversation well:
Ask early: "What do you expect from me to make the next step?" Then go do exactly that, and report on it, often.
Every quarter, sit down with your manager and walk through what you've delivered and why you deserve recognition at year-end.
Talk to people above you. Understand the salary house, not to compare, but to walk into the room with confidence.
Prepare your ask well before the real conversation. Most companies decide in the summer who gets promoted. Be visible before that.
A sentence you can actually use:
"At the start of the year we set expectations. I have lived up to those to the fullest. I feel ready to make the next step, I've been ready since April. Based on the salary house and the promotion system here, I expect a 10% increase by year-end. Can you confirm that's the direction we're heading?"
That's why this week, we're launching the Female x Finance Salary Benchmark.
Real numbers. Real transparency.
So you can walk into your next salary conversation knowing exactly where you stand, and what you're worth.
Don't leave it on the table. You've earned this.
The Career Advice Nobody is Really Telling You
How do you know if you’re being paid what you’re actually worth?
Most women don’t.
Not because they’re not good enough.
But because no one ever showed them the numbers. And for years, the system wasn’t built for transparency. Salary depended on who asked. Who knew. Who negotiated harder.
That’s about to change.
From 2026, EU Pay Transparency laws will require companies to share salary ranges.
You’ll be able to ask what others in your role earn. And your past salary? It no longer defines your future offer.
But here’s the problem:
Even with transparency, most people still don’t know what “fair” actually looks like.
So we did the work for you.
We analyzed 300+ professionals across the Netherlands and the UK to understand how salaries really evolve across finance.
Here’s what we found:
→ Your career path matters more than your experience
→ The biggest salary jump happens in your first 3 years
→ And the real difference? It’s not base salary. It’s bonus.
Meaning: two people with the same experience can earn completely different amounts depending on the path they choose.
This is exactly why knowing your benchmark matters. Because you can’t negotiate what you don’t know.
→ Find out where you stand
→ See your salary range
→ Use the data before your next move
A little FOMO moment
Last month we risked and tried a new event concept that brought together not only finance professionals, but entrepreneurs and freelancers to the same room over one goal: empower women to go after the career they desire and motivate them to take the step to start their side-hustle or own business.
We invited 8 female entrepreneurs showcasing their brands, to help women who are looking for inspiration, fashion and business attire.
Because when you look good, you feel powerful.
And when you feel powerful, you move differently.
This event was powered by Qonto & Insify, our trusted platforms for those wanting to start their own business.
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