Statistically speaking, 93% of women and 43% of men will not negotiate their first salary. The most common reasons for this is a lack of understanding about self-worth, risk aversion, lack of salary knowledge and a self-consciousness about their negotiation skills.

Those who do negotiate tend to land a 7% increase in salary, which may not sound impressive but that single negotiation will, if all candidates are treated exactly the same thereafter, allow those who negotiated to retire 8 years sooner than their counterparts.

Bridge the gap, know your worth and know that negotiation skills can be your superpower.