Dear Savvy,
I need your help and advice! A year and a half ago I started an awesome job with a company. It was perfect for what I needed then. It was close to home and was relatively small in size, so it was very personal and I have grown to be friends with a lot of the people here. Since I have started, I have grown a lot and learned a lot. I am still very young in the eyes of a professional, but even on my yearly review I was told that they couldn’t believe my work ethic for someone my age and that I am a very good worker and they are glad they have me around.
But here’s the problem – I am not getting paid enough. I live in a city where there is a great economic boom, people working at fast food joints can make up to $15 an hour! I recently got my yearly raise, but when it boils down to it. . . . I need more. The cost of living here has also taken a hike up, and I can barely afford to pay my bills and save on what they pay me let alone try to go on a vacation.
My question is this, should I ask for another raise, or should I just look elsewhere for a job? I have been doing my research and figure I can make at least an extra $3,000/year if I found a job somewhere else, which could really go a long way for me.
To see my answer just read more.
Plain and simple: Ask for more! You really have nothing to lose — you know that you're a valuable employee and your company holds you in high regard, and you have solid numbers to support that you're underpaid for your industry position. It takes much more effort all-around to leave the company, on your part and on theirs. Aside from losing a valuable asset, it would cost your company money to find and train someone else for your job if you were to leave.
You're not making unreasonable demands like asking them to double your salary, and while I don't know anything about your company, I have a good feeling they'd be willing to throw a few thousand extra your way in order to keep you on their team. When you ask your boss for a raise, try to stay away from discussing how much you're struggling to live off your salary. You don't want a pity raise — instead, tell them while you appreciate the boost you got from your annual raise, you've done some research and found that you're being paid less than others in your same position. The point is that you deserve the raise and are worth paying at least what others are making.
Your bosses have sung your praises in your presence so you know they're already impressed with your work. When you ask them for more money, say "aside from my outstanding work ethic, here are some of my accomplishments," and list off a few of your highlights from the past year and a half. Stay away from aggressive ultimatums like threatening to quit if they don't pay you more — your bosses know that you're aware of the better compensation out there and can imply on their own that you'd probably go searching for something else. If you missed my interview with negotiation expert Linda Babcock, be sure to check them out here before you approach your bosses.
Lola Rose
Diego Dolcini
Ruco Line
Good tips Savvy! I just wanted to add (from personal experience) when asking for a raise there is always the possibility of your boss saying that there is something you need to improve before giving you the raise. So go in there ready for, perhaps, some constructive criticism. I was kind of blown away when this was offered to me and had never really heard anyone talk about being in that situation. It makes sense to me now, but I wasn't prepared for it and I kind of let it hurt my feelings, when in actuality it was great feedback.
So you go in there either getting a "yes, here's a raise." A "no, sorry." Or "maybe, if you prove this within 30 days"
1I agree with savvy. Plus the longer you are with a company, the better it is for your career should you decide to change. If someone looks at your resume and sees that you leave a good job after only a year and a half or so, they might get the feeling your a job hopper.
2You should ask!
That said, I would take a huge pay CUT to have a job I would describe as "Awesome"
3Definitely don't mention that you are struggling on your current. It sounds like you want a raise because you work hard and want to be seen as an asset, especially cause there are other opportunities that pay more for comparable experience. Be prepared with detailed, specific reasons of why you deserve a raise (not just saying that you are a good worker and have a good work ethic) I suggest reading your job description from when you were hired, or received your current salary, and think about how things have changed, what add'l responsibilities you have, or how well you have reached the goals the company drew out for you
Also, keep in mind what percentage of your salary raise you are asking for - some companies cap a percentage raise within a fiscal year (5% is common) When I got a $2000 raise, my checks went up $28/pay day (after taxes and everything) on a bi-weekly pay cycle - and I hardly noticed it - not that I didn't welcome the raise, but it didn't change much in regards to lifestyle for me.
4Great tips Savvy!!!! I wish you luck and I hope you get a raise. You're just trying to make a living.
5Good tips and comments. I'll add that you should consider if there are any other benefits you'd be willing to take instead of a pay bump. Some companies are more willing to give more vacation/sick days, or chip in more for health benefits or retirement than another raise.
And, if they say they just don't have the money/flexibility right now, ask for a specific date when you can bring it up again
6It's good to be assertive and show that you want what you deserve. Plus, Savvy is right that you have nothing to lose.
Good luck!
7I know from experience that supervisors forget someone is due for a raise. They have other things going on and may not have a great HR person (like me!) to remind them they need to take care of it. Raises or even yearly reviews aren't something a lot of people remember they're supposed to do. Sometimes they just need a reminder and you can always start it out by asking for the review and most of the time the boss will catch on that you're wanting to know about your raise, but you should also illicit some feedback on how they think you're doing. If you're doing as well as you say you are, they shouldn't have a problem telling you and compensating you for it.
8Yes, but I just got a raise with my yearly review...
9It was 7%, but that is common for my city because cost of living has gone up. A lot of the larger copmanies have given their employees a cost of living raise (7%) on top of what they got for the year...
Honestly, $3000 more a year isn't that much after you take taxes out of it. I'd try to stick with your current job since you seem to enjoy it a lot.
10yea but that's the LEAST I can get...that's $250 before tax...so maybe like $150 after tax...which I would still be very happy with.
11I definitely think you should ask for a raise - like Savvy said, you've got nothing to lose, especially since you got a terrific appraisal. Only if you're really unhappy with your current job AND you need a raise, should you seriously consider moving. This same situation happened to my boyfriend and he actually got the significant raise he asked for, except now he's looking to move because he's unhappy with his current situation.
12I definitely think you should ask before you decide to look elsewhere!
13Isn't $3000 only like about $1 and some change more an hour? I agree definitely ask for the raise. One thing you could do to better your argument is apply for other positions find out what the salary is and you could always present it as proof to your new company that you are under paid.
Truthfully your crazy to leave a job you describe as awesome. Its not easy to come by and $3000 more isn't worth it IMO. I mean your getting great experience and honestly you haven't been there all that long. You have some seriously great benefits at this new job. It sounds like they respect and acknowledge you and your work. You've learned so much in a short time. At least you DID get a raise. And the most important in my eyes is that you describe it as awesome!!! If anything I'd rather get a little part time job if making ends meet was so difficult, at least for a while, while I build up my resume and knowledge.
14oh hotstuff that's a great idea!
Yeah depending on what you do, you could perhaps do some freelance work (writing, designing, editing or such) or maybe pursue a hobby you have for some extra cash (like photography).
Good idea!
15I think you should be asking for more than $3,000/year that is not going to make any difference at all. I am not sure what your role in the company is but look at some comparable postions to see what the salary range is and go in at the high. The worst that can happen is they can say no or offer you a little less.
16Maybe I'm alone here, but as someone who doesn't make a lot of money (being a science Ph.D. student is not known for being a well-paid job), a $3000/year increase is a lot. No, it's not going to make a drastic lifestyle change, but I'm just picturing this in my situation (obviously, I'm not in a position to ask for a raise) -- I can just get by now with what I get paid, living in one of the most expensive cities in the country. At the end of the month, I generally just break even -- maybe $20 to spare to put into savings, once I take out rent, utilities, food, etc. If I was getting $3000 more/year, keeping the same lifestyle, even after taxes, that's a significant amount to put into savings, compared to what I have for savings now.
17It's not a big increase if you're doing well for yourself, but if you're just scraping along, that $3000 can be the difference between living in fear that you're going to wind up with a major unexpected expense, and having a bit of security for a rainy day.
Hi All,
I am in pretty much the exact same situation, but my organization is a non-profit and the office only has five ~ yes five, employees. It seems as though most of you agree that asking for a raise. Would you also recommend the same for me?
Any input would be helpful!!!
xoxo
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