Work related - asking for a raise

[Regular_John]

Originally Posted by V

Yeah, killer's right, you need to prepare if you want anything substantial. Managers take advantage of their people as long as they can, and HR departments are far more interested in aquiring talent than retaining talent, at least in my experience. Even while far exceeding expectations, and doing a ton of research backing up my raise, I've never gotten anything more than 6% without having to resort to getting an offer from another company.

It's unfortunate, but the biggest raises I ever received came from my ability to change companies. Twice I decided to move for the big raise, and once I was able to get a big raise at my company, but only when I showed them a nice offer from our competition. It's amazing how much my company thinks I'm worth when a competing firm tells them what they think I'm worth.

Yup all of the biggest raises I've ever received have been as the result of another offer. When I switched jobs last spring here my previous company didn't actually make me a counter off (wasn't open to it anyways) until about 3 months after I'd left when they were having challenges replacing me.

[bc-chris]

back before i started my own company i worked for 1 company for a number of years

for the first few years i was seasonal, as i was putting myself thru school - so every spring when i started with them we'd discuss a fair wage.

once i was done school i decided to work for the same company full time.

after about a year i just asked my boss for a raise and voila, i got a raise


i think now that i'm a business owner i can say that i'd prefer the 'direct' approach - don't beat around the bush - just ask. it's better than fabricating stories and lying to your boss about other offers. if you do have legitimate other offers then definitely bring that up - but i wouldn't make stuff up.

[Street Pharmacist]

I have 30 employees and changed to an annual wage review to avoids such situations. If I'm in your spot it definitely makes a difference what kind of person your boss is and what your relationship is.

Either way, like BC-Chris says, just be straight with him. DO NOT make it am emotional argument or explain what you are worth. Have well thought out ideas about what you now bring to the business, and more importantly, what you will bring to the business. The "what I'm worth" argument never got far with me. I'm in business, but I'm not renting you, I'm making money by employing you for your skills. They should be the focal point of the conversation

[afc wimbledon]

Also recognise that what you think is worth money may not be in your employers mind, I am a foster parent but a 'professional one' so to speak and make good money doing what I do.
I also happen to be very good at it, my foster kids graduate school and get jobs and generally thrive, I help them long after they have left my house.
You would think this would be a good bargining chip for my annual contract review but it isn't, the ministry doesn't give rats arse in hell about how good a job I do, as long as the kids are housed. I can use the fact that I am a coveted placement to cherry pick the kids I look after and the general level of goodwill I have built up makes my job easier in many ways but it won't pay me a penny extra.

[FlamesAddiction]

You should keep a work journal and record every time that you do something that saves the company money, pleases a client, make some kind of professional breakthrough, receives positive feedback, etc... Then bring them up in your discussions.

It's easy for employers to overlook things or forget them because they are busy and deal with several other employees. Heck, it's probably not easy for you to recall every time as well.

[Deegee]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

You should keep a work journal and record every time that you do something that saves the company money, pleases a client, make some kind of professional breakthrough, receives positive feedback, etc... Then bring them up in your discussions.

It's easy for employers to overlook things or forget them because they are busy and deal with several other employees. Heck, it's probably not easy for you to recall every time as well.

This is true. I forgot some achievements throughout the year that the team I work with accomplished, by accident. I also asked if I missed anything and because of the good relationship I maintain with the team they were open and honest at citing other good tasks that they completed.

It is also true that the best way to get a raise is to get another offer from elsewhere. It's funny. I had been offered a new position in my company verbally, and denied a $6,000 dollar raise ($3,000 plus potential floating benefit of $1,000 - $3,000. The verbal offer never amounted to anything in writing to boot. Got head hunted and offered a better position with a competitor with significantly more money plus the buying of my house to help me move and amazingly my company was able to match.

This actually bothers me quite a bit that it takes the potential to lose an employee for companies to get serious.

[shermanator]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

You should keep a work journal and record every time that you do something that saves the company money, pleases a client, make some kind of professional breakthrough, receives positive feedback, etc... Then bring them up in your discussions.

It's easy for employers to overlook things or forget them because they are busy and deal with several other employees. Heck, it's probably not easy for you to recall every time as well.

+1 to this. Go into the meeting with a reason for why you deserve a raise, tell them that with this supporting documentation, and ask.

[Wormius]

Sorry to bump this thread, but I am in a bit of a quandry. I am pretty happy with my current job, but I would like a to ask for a raise. The only thing is, we haven't been hugely busy with work, so what is a good way to broach this topic with a manager if there is nothing really impactful to sell myself with? We don't usually get yearly increases "just because", and I feel like I am falling behind my peers in the engineer field and salary surveys.

[burn_this_city]

Just because doesn't cut it. It's a competitive industry and companies need to work to retain people. If you're behind on the salary surveys I wouldn't hesitate to bring that up. If they don't want to budge then brush up the resume.

[rohara66]

Originally Posted by Deegee

This actually bothers me quite a bit that it takes the potential to lose an employee for companies to get serious.

This x 100.

I just don't get it. No wonder theres so much turnover and lack of staff loyalty.

[Wormius]

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

Just because doesn't cut it. It's a competitive industry and companies need to work to retain people. If you're behind on the salary surveys I wouldn't hesitate to bring that up. If they don't want to budge then brush up the resume.

I just don't know how to broach the subject of a raise when myself, and others in the office too, haven't really been overworked or had the kind of noteworthy accomplishments you would normally use as fodder when justifying a raise. The only thing I can think of is the salary isnt tracking the cost of living or the salary survey.

[Mazrim]

Originally Posted by Wormius

I just don't know how to broach the subject of a raise when myself, and others in the office too, haven't really been overworked or had the kind of noteworthy accomplishments you would normally use as fodder when justifying a raise. The only thing I can think of is the salary isnt tracking the cost of living or the salary survey.

Cost of living is a worthwhile reason to ask. Also, you don't need accomplishments, just your skill set should be enough. Even if you're not busy, if your skills are still improving, that makes you more valuable.

[BlackArcher101]

Be prepared to have a backup plan. I asked for a raise earlier this week and now today I'm preparing to leave as soon as possible. My meeting and the results from it were an eye opener.

[Wormius]

Originally Posted by BlackArcher101

Be prepared to have a backup plan. I asked for a raise earlier this week and now today I'm preparing to leave as soon as possible. My meeting and the results from it were an eye opener.

Well, I don't really have a back up, per se. I have been interviewing, but my current job has flexibility that I like, and I don't think I would have that at a new company, at least right away. If anything, is rather quit and take some time to develop some ideas of my own and spend more time with the kids. That said, one of my coworkers is planning on leaving soon, and his work really complements mine, so that might bode well to lose the entire group.

I have heard though more and more stories of perfomance reviews going bad and people seriously preparing to find a new job.