Tips on getting a raise?
Discussion
Next week I have a "personal role development" meeting with my manager.
To fill you in: 2 people have/are leaving from our small team and I have recently been picking up the slack. This meeting will be mostly aimed at reshaping my role and giving me more responsibilities. I have been in my current role for 3 years now and on very poor pay. I will be asking for quite a large jump here (7K!) to get me a more liveable wage. I am age 25 FYI.
What is your best advice on asking for a raise? (Wording, prep, attitude, etc). I will be going into this meeting with a list of everything I have done to benefit the business. If I am not successful in getting a pay increase then I will be forced to change jobs as I really cant afford to be sitting around much longer.
To fill you in: 2 people have/are leaving from our small team and I have recently been picking up the slack. This meeting will be mostly aimed at reshaping my role and giving me more responsibilities. I have been in my current role for 3 years now and on very poor pay. I will be asking for quite a large jump here (7K!) to get me a more liveable wage. I am age 25 FYI.
What is your best advice on asking for a raise? (Wording, prep, attitude, etc). I will be going into this meeting with a list of everything I have done to benefit the business. If I am not successful in getting a pay increase then I will be forced to change jobs as I really cant afford to be sitting around much longer.
Edited by ShinyPsyduck on Friday 30th April 12:55
You'll probably be told that appraisals and personal development goals are not the correct forum to be talking about renumeration and if its a big company you'll be redirected to HR rather than a line manager to talk money, then they'll say they have to talk to the line manager and you'll be in a holding pattern for ages.
It's all a smokescreen designed to put hurdles in people's way, in my experience the only way to get significant increase in pay without an advertised promotion is to hand in your notice, at which point if they value you they'll offer you more money and/or create a new position for you.
Be honest, be blunt but polite and if you're going to threaten to leave then make sure you do it in the right way and have something else lined up.
It's all a smokescreen designed to put hurdles in people's way, in my experience the only way to get significant increase in pay without an advertised promotion is to hand in your notice, at which point if they value you they'll offer you more money and/or create a new position for you.
Be honest, be blunt but polite and if you're going to threaten to leave then make sure you do it in the right way and have something else lined up.
If your role is being redefined, have a look at similar roles externally and the typical salary of that role. Use this in your discussions. You can set your expectations clearly then with the knowledge that you know you're capable of the role.
Do not be afraid to move to a another company if things don't work out. People move on for all sorts of reasons and pay is just one. Don't get into the mindset that you owe the company any loyalty because they treated you well or they trained you up or you're friendly with the boss etc. That is worth something but not a huge amount to the point where a person should feel trapped in a particular company.
Do not be afraid to move to a another company if things don't work out. People move on for all sorts of reasons and pay is just one. Don't get into the mindset that you owe the company any loyalty because they treated you well or they trained you up or you're friendly with the boss etc. That is worth something but not a huge amount to the point where a person should feel trapped in a particular company.
You both make great points. I wouldn't mention that I would be leaving but would actively be looking for another job if the outcome isn't positive. I know one of the people leaving was offered more money. This will probably be the way I will have to go about getting a raise but I was told when hired for my current role that their would be an annual pay review, I have never had any raise.
Evanivitch said:
What's £8k raise as a percentage? Don't want to pry too much, but many businesses will say they can only do X raise at a time if you're staying in the same role. It's a lie, it just needs a signature from the appropriate person to go above it.
I am currently on 18k will be asking for 25k. The previous person in my position was on 25k but I was initially hired with less experience. If I get 25k then thats ideal. I am happy to discuss this with them.percentage? eh, why bother hiding it.
ShinyPsyduck said:
Evanivitch said:
What's £8k raise as a percentage? Don't want to pry too much, but many businesses will say they can only do X raise at a time if you're staying in the same role. It's a lie, it just needs a signature from the appropriate person to go above it.
I am currently on 18k will be asking for 25k. The previous person in my position was on 25k but I was initially hired with less experience. If I get 25k then thats ideal. I am happy to discuss this with them.percentage? eh, why bother hiding it.
Vote with your feet.
When I was younger I ended up spending too long 'waiting' for my pay to improve, at a number of companies. Jobs I enjoyed, I did well at, and got on with the staff. But It was only as I got toward my 30's I realised that getting on with your Boss/Colleagues, and being a 'really appreciated employee' doesn't pay the mortgage.
Be prepared to walk - look after number 1. You owe them no favours.
You will more than likely find that after you hand in your notice, the money you have been asking for suddenly become available. I hope that like me, you will them that it is now too late, and where to stick it.
When I was younger I ended up spending too long 'waiting' for my pay to improve, at a number of companies. Jobs I enjoyed, I did well at, and got on with the staff. But It was only as I got toward my 30's I realised that getting on with your Boss/Colleagues, and being a 'really appreciated employee' doesn't pay the mortgage.
Be prepared to walk - look after number 1. You owe them no favours.
You will more than likely find that after you hand in your notice, the money you have been asking for suddenly become available. I hope that like me, you will them that it is now too late, and where to stick it.
snotrag said:
Vote with your feet.
When I was younger I ended up spending too long 'waiting' for my pay to improve, at a number of companies. Jobs I enjoyed, I did well at, and got on with the staff. But It was only as I got toward my 30's I realised that getting on with your Boss/Colleagues, and being a 'really appreciated employee' doesn't pay the mortgage.
Be prepared to walk - look after number 1. You owe them no favours.
You will more than likely find that after you hand in your notice, the money you have been asking for suddenly become available. I hope that like me, you will them that it is now too late, and where to stick it.
there are tactile ways to do it though.. When I was younger I ended up spending too long 'waiting' for my pay to improve, at a number of companies. Jobs I enjoyed, I did well at, and got on with the staff. But It was only as I got toward my 30's I realised that getting on with your Boss/Colleagues, and being a 'really appreciated employee' doesn't pay the mortgage.
Be prepared to walk - look after number 1. You owe them no favours.
You will more than likely find that after you hand in your notice, the money you have been asking for suddenly become available. I hope that like me, you will them that it is now too late, and where to stick it.
So boss xxxx just to let you know I have applied for yyyy role at zzzz company. I really like it here and feel the knowledge I have is worth alot but they are offering me 20% more for a similar role.
vulture1 said:
there are tactile ways to do it though..
So boss xxxx just to let you know I have applied for yyyy role at zzzz company. I really like it here and feel the knowledge I have is worth alot but they are offering me 20% more for a similar role.
His response, you can apply all day, let me know when you get an offer and intend to hand in your notice.So boss xxxx just to let you know I have applied for yyyy role at zzzz company. I really like it here and feel the knowledge I have is worth alot but they are offering me 20% more for a similar role.
You need to build the basis of a robust and evidential argument for more money. What you 'think' you should be earning has nothing to do with anything,
1. Go onto Linked in and see what the average wage in the sector is for the role you'll be doing. This will tell you if the £7k hike is in line with industry levels or not. If not, readjust your expectation.
2. What will the company get for their additional £7k (or whatever) that they are not getting at the moment for less? How can you demonstrate that the raise is an investment?
3. Is the extra workload you mentioned a permanent thing? If so, then a raise would be in order. If not, perhaps a bonus might apply.
4. Can the company afford it?
Personally, from an employers perspective, I'd say that on a salary below £40k, a £7k hike is too much for fundamentally the same role. So if you offer to break it down into smaller chunks, awarded against performance benchmarks over a year, you might find a more open ear.
HTH
1. Go onto Linked in and see what the average wage in the sector is for the role you'll be doing. This will tell you if the £7k hike is in line with industry levels or not. If not, readjust your expectation.
2. What will the company get for their additional £7k (or whatever) that they are not getting at the moment for less? How can you demonstrate that the raise is an investment?
3. Is the extra workload you mentioned a permanent thing? If so, then a raise would be in order. If not, perhaps a bonus might apply.
4. Can the company afford it?
Personally, from an employers perspective, I'd say that on a salary below £40k, a £7k hike is too much for fundamentally the same role. So if you offer to break it down into smaller chunks, awarded against performance benchmarks over a year, you might find a more open ear.
HTH
Evanivitch said:
vulture1 said:
there are tactile ways to do it though..
So boss xxxx just to let you know I have applied for yyyy role at zzzz company. I really like it here and feel the knowledge I have is worth alot but they are offering me 20% more for a similar role.
His response, you can apply all day, let me know when you get an offer and intend to hand in your notice.So boss xxxx just to let you know I have applied for yyyy role at zzzz company. I really like it here and feel the knowledge I have is worth alot but they are offering me 20% more for a similar role.
In my experience that won't be the response if you approach it in an open and honest way. Be firm, be polite and know you can always move if you don't get what you feel is reasonable. If your manager values you he'll find a way to support you and get to a compromise that works for both you, him and the company.
Ask for £28k. Then when they knock you down 3-4k you will be at your ideal number.
If you start at 25k they are going to still knock you down 3-4k...
If they had 2 people leave then you are in a good spot. Sell yourself, but dont beg - be confident that you can step up and deliver what they need without having to take on 2 more people.
Go for it.
If it does not work out, get the XP for 6 months then start applying elsewhere.
If you start at 25k they are going to still knock you down 3-4k...
If they had 2 people leave then you are in a good spot. Sell yourself, but dont beg - be confident that you can step up and deliver what they need without having to take on 2 more people.
Go for it.
If it does not work out, get the XP for 6 months then start applying elsewhere.
vulture1 said:
there are tactile ways to do it though..
So boss xxxx just to let you know I have applied for yyyy role at zzzz company. I really like it here and feel the knowledge I have is worth alot but they are offering me 20% more for a similar role.
That shouldn't be the first conversation though. Even though (as all have said) you will likely get brushed off just asking for a raise, for form's sake you should do that before escalating to "I have applied for other positions".So boss xxxx just to let you know I have applied for yyyy role at zzzz company. I really like it here and feel the knowledge I have is worth alot but they are offering me 20% more for a similar role.
NickCQ said:
vulture1 said:
there are tactile ways to do it though..
So boss xxxx just to let you know I have applied for yyyy role at zzzz company. I really like it here and feel the knowledge I have is worth alot but they are offering me 20% more for a similar role.
That shouldn't be the first conversation though. Even though (as all have said) you will likely get brushed off just asking for a raise, for form's sake you should do that before escalating to "I have applied for other positions".So boss xxxx just to let you know I have applied for yyyy role at zzzz company. I really like it here and feel the knowledge I have is worth alot but they are offering me 20% more for a similar role.
ShinyPsyduck said:
You both make great points. I wouldn't mention that I would be leaving but would actively be looking for another job if the outcome isn't positive. I know one of the people leaving was offered more money. This will probably be the way I will have to go about getting a raise but I was told when hired for my current role that their would be an annual pay review, I have never had any raise.
There are 3 things to discuss.1) what you need and want to live the life style you desire or need. If it not enough then I see no issue saying that whilst you love the job, and would love to take on more responsibility, but Maslows theories are coming into play and putting a roof over your head, moving on and starting a family will mean that your decision making in future focuses on immediate short term cold hard cash. That is you'll be forced to look for another higher paying job.
And you've had 3 years of dangled carrots. So please no more carrots.
2) Yes there is a market rate for any particular type of job, and clearly the business is out of step, otherwise turnover of staff wouldn't be so high.
3) You are not threatening them, but they need to.be aware that failure to achieve £9k pay rise will result in you putting your energy into finding someone that needs you more than they do.
And be prepared to move on.
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