Every company is different when it comes to asking for and receiving a compensation increase. Who do you need to talk to firstyour direct manager or your Human Resources team? How often are your reviewsevery 3 months, every 6 months, or just once a year? When exactly are these reviews?

Once you have this sorted out, the structure will guide in you in how to start the process.

Before you walk into any discussion about your raise, be sure to do your research! Use websites like Payscale and Comparably to gather information on what a typical salary range is for your position in your industry. Keep in mind that salaries vary by industry, company size, and your experience.

It's best to have multiple data sources so that you can get a better picture for yourself, and to build a stronger case.

What value do you add to the position, team, and company? What impact have you already had? What are you doing outside of your given job responsibilities?

These are great questions to answer prior to your discussion, and great topics to bring up. We're sure everyone realizes how much of a rockstar you are, but sometimes you need to be your own cheerleader.

Your raise discussion should be presented in a clear, mature, and organized way. Be honest and precise about your expectations so that your manager or HR team can clearly understand and help meet your expectations.

Don't compare yourself or your salary to others. It's not about how much a specific person is making, it's about how you are contributing to the greater good.

It is ideal to have an in-person conversation, but be sure to send a follow up email with the detailed research you presented during your discussion.

Give a Range Instead of a Specific Number

It's better to give a realistic range between X and Y rather than one number.

Women tend be a bit more conservative in their ask. Set a reasonable range in which the lower value is never less than what you need.

You should be proud of yourself for doing your research, knowing your self-worth, and advocating for yourself! It's not easy, but is something that is so important to practice and own.

Keep climbing, ladies! See you at the top!

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Click through for tips on how to negotiate the salary you deserve, so together we can bridge the gender pay gap.

We've compiled these tips on how you can negotiate the salary you deserve, so together we can bridge the gender wage gap.

One of the most common questions successful women receive is, How do you balance it all? and Can you really have it all?. However, a response that we don't hear often is, I dont do it all. I drop the ball.

That is the proud answer of Tiffany Dufu, author of Drop the Ball, a new book written to inspire and help women achieve more by doing less. Not only is Tiffany an author and public speaker, but she is also the Chief Leadership Officer at [LEVO] (https://www.levo.com/) an organization created to help advance the careers of millennial women. In addition, Tiffany also serves on the board for  [Girls Who Code] (https://girlswhocode.com/), [Girl Scouts USA] (http://www.girlscouts.org/), [Harlem 4 Kids] (http://www.harlem4kids.com/), and [StudentsFirstNY] (http://www.studentsfirstny.org/). Previously, she was the President of The White House Project.  To top it all off, Tiffany is also a wife and mother-of-two. Phew...we're tired after just listing all of those credentials!

We spoke with Tiffany, who gave us a glimpse into her life and shared ways that we can all continue to grow toward achieving our goals. Here are some of Tiffanys tips (or "Tiffanys epiphanies" as she calls them) on

This is really the root of everything that Tiffany believes in. She believes that if you ask anyone, What is Tiffanys life work? They will be able to tell you, Tiffanys life work is advancing women and girls. As you can tell from her long list of achievements, this mission is at the core of everything she does.

As a leader, Tiffany feels that,  sometimes the only thing you have is peoples faith in you. They wont have trust in you if they dont understand who you are and what you come from. Plus, the more you make it known what your purpose is, the more you can align your life and career with it.

Though you may question its worth, Tiffany believes that mentorship and being a mentee is an important relationship to foster.  You might wonder: why would someone be willing to give up her time to help you when you might not be able to give her anything in return? Tiffany believes that you shouldn't think of it that way.  She has a group of mentees who have truly changed her life. Whether its been through encouraging Tiffany to start a vlog or simply giving her fashion advice when she has to go to a big event, shes constantly gaining new insight from her younger mentees.

Her message: dont be afraid to reach out to anyone. Tiffany advises to wait in line after an event to meet the speaker and introduce yourself to everyone on the first day in the office. We may think that people dont have time for us or that they are constantly bombarded for requests for coffee dates, but these are simply missed opportunities.  If there is someone who inspires or interests you, don't hesitate to make it known.

Throughout her day, Tiffany asks herself the "drop the ball question" repeatedly: Is doing x,y, or z my highest and best use in achieving what matters most to me?

She constantly reminds herself that her lifes work is to advance the lives of women and girls, to nurture her relationship with her husband, Kojo, and to raise globally conscious children. By keeping this top of mind, she is more easily able to answer this question whenever it arises.

After speaking with Tiffany, we feel inspired to become clear on what matters most to us, and to let go of anything that doesnt help us work toward those goals and passions.

So, please join us in following Tiffanys lead to #droptheball!

If youd like to learn more about Tiffany Dufu, or her book Drop the Ball, visit her site [tiffanydufu.com] (http://tiffanydufu.com/) .

Birchbox interviewed Tiffany Dufu, author of Drop the Ball and Chief Leadership Officer at LEVO, to understand how women can achieve more by doing less.

This month, and every month, we celebrate powerful and influential women. We remember and reflect on what women all over the world have done in pursuit of equality, and celebrate those who have broken the glass ceiling (or part of it, at least). One of these incredible women is Krishanti Vignarajah, the powerhouse behind initiatives like Michelle Obamas Let Girls Learn, and her firm, Generation Impact. Krishanti Vignarajahs work is fueled by the belief that if given adequate support and opportunities, girls can change the world.

As a young girl, Vignarajah escaped the growing violence in Sri Lanka to came to America with her parents and brother. The daughter of two teachers, her parents instilled the importance of education.For me, like for so many women and girls around the world, education was the springboard - the eye-opening, world-expanding fairy dust that gave me a chance to realize my potential, says Vignarajah.

With the help of amazing teachers and mentors, Vignarajah earned a Masters degree in Political Science and a B.S. in Molecular Biology from Yale College, where she later returned for Law School. As if thats not impressive enough, Vignarajah also became a Marshall Scholar at Oxford University. I've been blessed to learn from inspiring teachers and work with amazing people every day of my life, from public schools in Baltimore to Yale to Oxford, she said.

Throughout her incredible educational journey, Vignarajah began to feel a personal responsibility to help girls around the world fulfill theirs. Enter: Michelle Obama and the Let Girls Learn initiative, which helps girls around the world to receive a quality education that empowers them to reach their full potential. Serving as Policy Director to Michelle Obama, Vignarajah worked alongside the First Lady to lead this influential initiative.

But Vignarajahs work didnt stop when the Obamas left the White House. She started her own firm, Generation Impact, which partners with nonprofits and social enterprises to create strategic partnerships and execute innovative strategies to positively impact on the world. She works to tackle issues like education, entrepreneurship and women and girls empowerment, allowing Vignarajah to continue the work she is so passionate about.

Krishanti has forged a path for so many women who are facing similar challenges that she did early in her life. She is a reminder that while weve made incredible progress, we still have a long way to goand that every effort helps.

We got the opportunity to talk to Michelle Obamas right hand woman,  Krishanti Vignarajah about her journey from Sri Lanka to the White House. 

A Former Policy Director for the White House: Krishanti Vignarajah

Q: You've expressed the importance of women knowing what they are capable of and how talented they arebut also staying humble and grounded. How can you walk that fine line of doing both when asking for a raise or promotion?

Katia: Women are really great at understanding this type of duality because I think we are generally more self-aware. It's challenging, but it really comes down to the details of the approach: the timing of it, the reputation you have and your relationship to whomever you are speaking. It's important for your manager to understand how vested you are in the greater good and that it's what you're thinking about constantly. Of course, you are an important part of the equation and you should state your value in that role clearly. Showing that you are someone consistently thinking about the greater good and the team will go far in building your reputation. It shows leadership and humility.

Q: It's always tricky to find the right time to advocate for yourself. Any suggestions?

Katia: Timing is really important. But don't overthink it, because part of this is just practice. It won't always be perceived in the best way. It's important that you don't fear the perception and understand that it's a part of the process. One tip is to prepare your manager for the conversation. Make sure to give him/her a heads up and clearly state what you would like to get out of it. For example, something as simple as, "In two weeks I put time on your calendar to discuss my career; I'll come prepared to share how I see myself progressing in my objectives. I'd love for you to listen, and we can regroup after to discuss next steps." Stay calm and always respectful and never apologize for advocating for yourself.

Q: What if you're not sure what you're capable of?

Katia: I think that owning things that might not be your strengths is just as important as speaking up about what you can do. Showing that kind of self-awareness and humility is such a sign of maturity and leadership. Being honest and asking for help is so important. It shows a confidence that you're not someone who thinks you need to do everything and own everything to be successful. It takes a real leader to surround herself with people who are better than her and to admit areas where you may need self-development.

Q: And how about when you feel it's time to take on more?

Katia: Doing your research to understand how your job and responsibilities compare to what's out there puts you in the strongest position to ask for a change in level or compensation. You really have to know what you're asking for, because it may seem arbitrary to a manager. If you've done your research, it's a different conversation rather than just saying, "I want a 10% raise."

Q: The workplace can get competitive, especially when women are so underrepresented in high-power positions. How can you be assertive and driven, but still encourage the success of the women around you?

Katia: Birchbox is unique in the sense that the majority of our team and leadership are female. But, no matter what your work experience may be, I think the most important thing is try to think of female peers and colleagues as part of team in which the success of some impacts the potential for all. It's of course easier said than done, but I do think setting an example of giving respect and support with the expectation of receiving that in return is a start and an important step forward.

Q: Balance is such a buzzword and everyone always talks about how important it is. What's your take?

Katia: I learned to prioritize better once I became a mom. I realized that you do a lot of things that you don't have to do. The important stuff starts to rise to the top of your to-do list and not everything is urgent anymore.

Q: When did you feel like you were in the right place in your career to pursue having a family?

Katia: It's never going to be a "good" time. It's not going to feel easy to pursue a family and still be successful in your career. Because ultimately, you haven't yet met this version of yourself and you don't know what it's going to do to you mentally or psychologically. You don't realize how efficient you become because you have new priorities. That's why I always say that working moms are Birchbox's secret weapons!

Q: And what would you tell young women who are starting out in their career who might feel like they have to be working 24/7 in order to get ahead?

Katia: Learning to set boundaries early is great practice. You have to take care of yourself and do things that make you happy, or else you'll be miserable in both areas of your life. If you're not happy, you're not going to do your best work. It is possible to have a successful career and a meaningful personal life.

We tapped our ultimate workplace hero, Birchbox CEO Katia Beauchamp, to share some of the important lessons she's learned about working towards professional and personal goals.

You know that quote, "Do what you love and you'll never work another day in your life"? It sounds so simple. We believe wholeheartedly that a career is so much more fulfilling when you're doing something that is meaningful to you, and most of all, that makes you happy. But at the end of the day, making that happen is not always easy.

So, in honor of Women's History Month this March, we decided to tap our ultimate workplace role model, Birchbox CEO Katia Beauchamp. Here, she shares three of the most important lessons she's learned over the years for creating a career that serves you in the process of working toward your professional (and personal!) goals.

3 Work (Life) Lessons From Birchbox's CEO

Are you investing in yourself? Part of our goal for Women's History Month (and year-round) is to celebrate the power of womenand that includes our ability to be financially savvy. Enter: Sallie Krawcheck. The inspiring entrepreneur is the CEO and co-founder of Ellevest, a digital investment platform with a mission to give women the tools they need to reach their financial and professional goals. Being a female-founded company that cares deeply about creating more opportunities for women to succeed at work, we wholeheartedly believe in Sallie's message that "investing in women is simply smart business." Here, she gives her 5 top tips to know about investing, and we're taking notes!

Sallie Krawcheck, CEO and co-founder of digital investment platform Ellevest, shares her top 5 investing tips for women who want to flex their financial muscles.

5 Things to Know About Investing from Sallie Krawcheck

You might think that you need to have worked in a technical-related field all your life or have a degree in Computer Science to be in tech. But, there's no expiration date on when you can make the switch and start your career in the industry, Rombom believes. In fact, the skills and knowledge you've developed in prior roles or through your education are valuable. "Having the ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with otherseven if you developed those soft skills far outside of techcan be just as important as mastering a hard skill like coding," she says.

Not tech-savvy, so you can't possibly work in tech? Don't sell yourself short. Ignore the stereotype that you have to be a "technical" person in order to be successful in this field. "Many believe that coding is a super mathematical, solitary pursuit," says Rombom. It's just the opposite, actually. "Coding is creativemore like writing than math," she says. Beyond that, "Building software requires constant collaboration, so the more diverse perspectives available, the better the product," she says.

As the world increasingly turns toward digital, more companies have technology at their core, so it's important to develop programming skills. It "not only empowers you to make more of an impact in your current roleto implement your own solutions instead of outsourcingit opens up a whole world of career opportunities across every imaginable industry," says Rombom. Her advice is to find what you're passionate about and pursue that in an even more powerful way by leveraging code.

Whether you've decided to go for it and get into tech or if you're still unsure, it's important to build your confidence and not let "Imposter Syndrome" (aka, convincing yourself that you don't know enough to be good at it), take over. "Try turning 'Imposter Syndrome' on its head," says Rombom. "See a lack of knowledge not as a flaw but as an opportunity to grow," she says. Understand that everyone, no matter how long they've been in tech, is a beginner at something. "You just have to start. Go for small wins," she says. Also remember that with programming, failing often is part of the learning process. "You'll write buggy code, your test wont pass, or you'll get stuck on a problem for hours, and the world will keep spinning," she says.

Love these tips and want more? Check out the Flatiron School's e-book How to Be a No-Brainer Tech Hire.

The Flatiron School's Rebekah Rombom shares her advice on breaking into the tech world as a woman, whether you're a recent graduate or looking for a career change.

It may come as a surprise, but women only hold 25% of computing-related jobs even in today's digital world. What's more, that number's been declining since the 1990s. As a female-founded tech company, Birchbox is striving to change that statistic, which is why we partnered with the [Flatiron School](https://flatironschool.com/) to create the [Women Take Tech](http://blog.flatironschool.com/announcing-women-take-tech-in-partnership-with-birchbox/) scholarship program. As part of our commitment to giving women the tools and know-how they need to build successful careers in tech, we asked Rebekah Rombom, vice president of career services at the Flatiron School, to share her advice on breaking into the tech world and how to navigate it once you make the jump.

Breaking the Code: How to Get Into the Tech World

Everyone knows someone who knows someone and beyond. Tap into your existing network, and put yourself out there. "Never say no to a networking event. Always attend and go with a set of goals, like leaving with a certain number of emails," Heather, freelance copywriter, says. "Make your own business cards and hand them out. Don't be afraid to introduce yourself or let people know you're there."

2. Find someone who wants to work with you just as much as you want to work with them

What matters more is the person, not their position. "The most important thing is to find someone you click with who is truly excited to make time for you," Katia, CEO and co-founder, says. "He or she should have experience that you respect, but I don't believe being in a similar industry is important," she says.

"If there's someone who you want to be your mentor, write them an email that shows them you have your stuff together. Express why you chose them, be explicit about the help you're asking for, the commitment you're asking for (coffee once a month, twice a month), and send them an agenda for your first meeting," Becky, director of engineering, says. "You should have a plan for every meeting with your mentor," she says. Everyone's time is valuable, so don't waste your time and definitely don't waste you mentor's.

4. Ensure the relationship is a two-way street

Yes, it's possible and essential that you learn from your mentor and that they learn from you as well. "Ideally mentors should feel like they're getting something from you toofor example, insights on millennial consumer behaviorso it's a reciprocal relationship and you're both learning," Katia says. "Mentees should look to make a real connection with someone, so their experience together is enjoyable and mutually beneficial," she says.

5. Share your short-term and long-term career goals

It's your career and your life. Know what your plan of action is to get the most out of both. "In the past, my mentors made me write down my short-term and long-term career goals along with tangible actions on how I planned to achieve them," Christine, tech project manager, says. "This ensured we were both on the same page in terms of what I needed to do and how they could best guide me," she says.

Two words: Be proactive. "As a mentee, you have to do the most. Make it easier for your mentor by putting time on their calendar to schedule touch-bases so you can check in with them and know what's expected of you," Nic, BirchboxMan intern, says.

If there's something specific you think your mentor could help you with, "Don't beat around the bush," Heather says. "Be transparent with your mentor about what you need. It's more refreshing as a mentor when someone's clear about the help they want from me. Being direct also shows maturity," she says. "You don't need to be aggressive, but it's helpful to know exactly where everything falls into place. Spell out for your mentor how their time will help you," she says.

8.Don't only reach out to your mentor when something's wrong

Of course your mentor wants to help, but what they don't want is an email with a long list of problems you're experiencing. "Your mentor doesn't only want to hear from you when everything isn't going well," Becky says. "Reach out and give them updates on little wins or accomplishments and how everything's going just in general. If you do have a dilemma, inform them and list a few different ways you're thinking about resolving it. Then, ask for their input," she says.

"Asking questions facilitates communication between you and your mentor. You have more productive conversations. If they're just telling you what they think, then it's not a perfect relationship," Christine says. "If you don't agree with something, be open and speak up about why. It's important to be honest with them. It should be a back and forth dialogue," she says.

We asked five Birchbox staffers to share their tips on finding a mentor and how to build a meaningful, long-lasting relationship with them.

No matter where you are in your career path, everyone could use a little advice. Finding someone you trust who can help guide your professional development (aka, a mentor) is invaluable. But, most of us are often unsure of where to start or how to take that first step. Who should you ask to be your mentor? How often do you need to meet with them? Do they have to work in the same industry as you? We asked five Birchbox staffers who are mentors or mentees themselves to share their tips on finding a mentor and how to build a meaningful, long-lasting relationship with them.

9 Tips on How to Find (and Keep!) a Mentor

In Pursuit Of: A Raise

Drop the Ball: Tiffany Dufu

A Former Policy Director for the White House: Krishanti Vignarajah

3 Work (Life) Lessons From Birchbox's CEO

5 Things to Know About Investing from Sallie Krawcheck

Breaking the Code: How to Get Into the Tech World

9 Tips on How to Find (and Keep!) a Mentor