advice to anyone entering the workforce:
form an honest opinion of what your skills can fetch at market by researching salaries,
work on your negotiating skills,
have a backup plan so you are confident to walk away if you don't get the number you want,
hold out for the right deal.<p>The biggest difference I see (anecdotally, so I might be wrong) between women and men, particularly from women who are complaining about inequality in pay, is that women aren't confident to negotiate about money. Strong, opinionated, skilled women will get pushed over when it comes to money. In many cases they won't even realise they can negotiate.<p>Negotiate everything -- the price of your cell phone, your tv, your washing machine, ask your bank for better deals on your mortgage or better interest rates on your savings. Then when it comes to job salary you have some practice to fall back on. Stand your ground, use phrases like "that isn't what I was expecting, can you offer any more?" and be prepared to respectfully decline an offer that doesn't make you happy.