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01-09-2007, 05:08 AM
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#1
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Recycles dryer sheets
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 73
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Asking for raise
I would like to get your advice on how to ask a boss for a raise.
Here is my situation. I am an Information Technologist for a small office. I was an intern there and was hired full time after my graduation. The pay was up to par with the industry at the time of my graduation. Well, I've been working there full time for the past 6 years now. The things have changed drastically for the worse. Everyone who was working there was pretty much fired or relocated and all the new people hired their friends and acquaintances. They got rid of my boss who did know technology and could exactly tell what I was doing, working on. They have me report to a business director who has no clue about technology. On my last review he stated that I have no work to do and that I should be learning about business. What I do is: take care of the network, email, I am a web master/web designer, graphic designer, I provide tech support for the whole office (30 computers), I take care of the cell phones and Blackberrys. The new people that got hired all started at a higher salary than what I make, including administrative assistants. There were two people who retired after I had my review and I was given additional tasks (not related to my job) and I have not received any compensation for it. I found out that there was another person who was making way less than me and she asked for a raise twice already and they gave it to her (but she was given a good review because she has a different direct supervisor who is her best friend) She makes more than I do now. I'd like to approach my boss about it. Of course I can't mention that I know others got raises. I think I would like to write him a memo showing him what others are making doing the same thing in similar industries, and outline my extra duties. I am having a hard time finding out what somone with this job should be making, as it seems to me that this is a combination of different jobs.
How do you guys think I should handle that?
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01-09-2007, 07:38 AM
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#3
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,321
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Re: Asking for raise
maggie,
I would suggest getting a resume out there to test the waters. If you get another offer you will have a salary level to compare to what you now earn. You can then go to your current boss and ask if they will match the offer. If not, then vote with your feet.
Grumpy
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...you can check out any time you like, but you can never leave...
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01-09-2007, 09:17 AM
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#4
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,891
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Re: Asking for raise
doesn't sound like a promising situation - sorry
i would do two things - i would start looking for a new job - it doesn't sound like you work in a great environment.
if you get a promising offer, but like the job you are at better, then ask for a raise. if they don't give it to you, take the new job.
if you just go the raise route, i would make sure that you write down everything that you do on a weekly basis. also, figure out a way to make sure your direct supervisor - and whoever else has a say in your raise, is aware of what you are working on. also, have other staff who benefit from your services make comments to your supervisor. it is unfair for him to give you a mediocre review if he doesn't have a clear sense of all your duties, but at the same time, not likely he will give you a raise if his perspective is what you say.
they haven't given you a raise or increase in six years?
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If i think of something clever to say, i'll put it here...
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01-09-2007, 09:19 AM
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#5
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Recycles dryer sheets
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 166
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Re: Asking for raise
I also agree with bright eyed - who is quicker than me
Maggie, I agree with Ron and Grumpy, research the market and prepare your resume. If you should apply elsewhere and get another offer it would be very useful in negotiations. Also, review everything you do and prepare a job description for your current job, considering the benefit to the organisation of each activity. When you talk to your boss you can discuss the positive impact of what you do or the negative impact if it were not to be done.
Good Luck
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nil illegitimus carborundum
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01-09-2007, 10:46 AM
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#6
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Recycles dryer sheets
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 73
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Re: Asking for raise
thank you all for wonderful suggestions. I have been upset before and looked for another job. I did find one and was offered a position, paying more than my current job. The problem is that I cannot find a job that would offer me the same benefits as my current job and that's the biggest problem. Even with increased salary at the other job after deducting all the benefits I get here it didn't make sense to go for a new job. I have researched many potiential employers and nobody offers the benefits my job offers. That's why I am stuck at this place with lower salary but better benefits, not sure what to do.
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01-09-2007, 10:58 AM
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#7
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 7,113
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Re: Asking for raise
Consider what higher pay, compounded over time, will buy in benefits.
It is hard to discuss the benefits provided by your current employer when we don't know what they are. If, for example, the health insurance provides benefits that you use and are not usually available elsewhere, then it has high value. If it is vacation time consider whether or not you are able to use it (use or loose is common), calculate the difference as a % of pay and graph its value over a couple years with a new employer. It is possible to negotiate a 'signing bonus' with a new employer to offset the lower vacation time for the first couple years, after which you could well catch up.
Do you have a 401(k)? Are you vested? Compare carefully what the other employer offers.. could be better or worse.
The long term reward of accepting another position is professional development.
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Duck bjorn.
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01-09-2007, 10:58 AM
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#8
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Recycles dryer sheets
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 166
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Re: Asking for raise
Quote:
Originally Posted by maggieddd
thank you all for wonderful suggestions. I have been upset before and looked for another job. I did find one and was offered a position, paying more than my current job. The problem is that I cannot find a job that would offer me the same benefits as my current job and that's the biggest problem. Even with increased salary at the other job after deducting all the benefits I get here it didn't make sense to go for a new job. I have researched many potiential employers and nobody offers the benefits my job offers. That's why I am stuck at this place with lower salary but better benefits, not sure what to do.
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Maggie, I think you have already worked this out but salary is only part of your compensation, you need to look at the total picture to make a comparison - salary, benefits, working environment, prospects for advancement, work life balance, commute .....etc. Some of these can be valued in $$, others it is harder to compare.
__________________
nil illegitimus carborundum
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01-09-2007, 12:55 PM
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#9
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 11,401
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Re: Asking for raise
Quote:
Originally Posted by maggieddd
That's why I am stuck at this place with lower salary but better benefits, not sure what to do.
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Maggie, you are only stuck if you allow yourself to be stuck. Don't be a victim. First, collect the data: what you do, your value to the company, and the market value of your work. Approach your employer with the data and outline what it will take to keep you. By that stage, you will have a good idea of the best decision for you.
This approach has worked for me on two occasions. Both times I ended up with a substantial raise.
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01-09-2007, 04:14 PM
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#10
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Full time employment: Posting here.
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 557
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Re: Asking for raise
When you receive an offer, it need not be treated as the company's final offer. If the salary is acceptable, counter with the additional benefits you need.
If the job you are now in does not value your work, its time to move on.
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01-09-2007, 04:41 PM
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#11
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Full time employment: Posting here.
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 987
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Re: Asking for raise
Quote:
Originally Posted by Meadbh
Maggie, you are only stuck if you allow yourself to be stuck.
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Interesting subject. Twice in my life, I was offered the suggestion "if you don't like it, you have two options (the front door, or the back door )". These two "options" were offered during a family conflict and a job conflict.
In both cases, I took "one of the doors". In both cases, it was the right thing to do, and my life turned out "better" for it .
Life's too short to put up with the "bull"; make your best decision and go with it (if it was wrong, you can alter the course and go in another direction later - but I doubt that will happen).
Good luck in any decision you make...
- Ron
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01-09-2007, 05:15 PM
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#12
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,891
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Re: Asking for raise
here's a motivating story:
my BIL just switched jobs after nearly a year of complacency, not that happy, worked too hard for what he was being paid. He took his time looking around and finally made the jump. He couldn't be happier and can't believe he put up with what he put up with for so long.
nobody is saying to be rash - just be happy, appreciated and well compensated (or at least adequately - appropriately?!) compensated for it.
IT work is valuable, if your supervisor had "business sense" they would appreciate you. if in fact you do your job well! and aren't reading magazines back there by the server...
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If i think of something clever to say, i'll put it here...
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01-09-2007, 06:10 PM
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#13
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Full time employment: Posting here.
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 509
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Re: Asking for raise
When my manager said she didn't know what I did, I started sending her weekly status reports on Fridays.
She never questioned my efforts again.
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01-09-2007, 06:14 PM
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#14
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: San Diego
Posts: 5,267
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Re: Asking for raise
I was in the exact same boat. You have to ask yourself if you can work in this environment for the rest of your career. If not, then are you gaining new skills that will be valuable at the next company. If not, then you need to start making an exit plan. Benefits vs. raise debates are important to factor in, but as a young dreamer, sometimes you need to take a step back in order to make the long term gains. Working on blackberries etc. is never going to pay big bucks, even if you are doing more advanced server/network work as well. The IT generalist has become supply heavy and demand lite, especially if UNIX/Linux skils are not involved. You need to find a specialization with a clear path up and a company large enough to give you that path, IMHO. Just like there is no margin in selling PC's, there's not much margin in fixing them, either. Databases, security, unix admin, SAN engineering, etc. are all viable routes.
Working a small company as an IT generalist in 2000 - made $35,000
Got a job at a subcontractor for a large company as a desktop support specialist rolling out images, doing break fix tickets etc. - made $48,000 to start.
Became the Exchange Administrator, then moved into security, moved up two more pay grades and now make ~$80,000 and I'm in the running for an IT management position this summer which should land me between $90-100k.
The small companies always tried to tell me how good I had it, but being able to come in late or wear sneakers doesn't move one towards FIRE. Now if you are already making 80-100k, well then by all means, count your blessings!
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01-09-2007, 06:21 PM
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#15
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,466
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Re: Asking for raise
I recently walked away from mega corp to a small, privately owned company and couldn't be more happier. I can't believe all of the crap I put up with!! I should've just worn signs that said "kick me cause I'm stupid" or "I'm a freaking masochist". My position is still being advertised to this day. Mega corp couldn't pay me enough to go back!
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fuzzy? cute?
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01-09-2007, 06:30 PM
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#16
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: San Diego
Posts: 5,267
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Re: Asking for raise
Yeah, but your skill set is way above mine! You can generate product all on your own, you are money in the bank. My type of skills need an infrastructure to support to be worth much.
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01-09-2007, 06:52 PM
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#17
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,466
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Re: Asking for raise
wassup Laurence
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fuzzy? cute?
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01-09-2007, 06:59 PM
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#18
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 7,113
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Re: Asking for raise
Exactly what Laurence said...
You are just beginning to build your career. Don't be boxed in by the myopia of others.
__________________
Duck bjorn.
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01-09-2007, 09:18 PM
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#19
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Oahu
Posts: 26,860
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Re: Asking for raise
Quote:
Originally Posted by cube_rat
My position is still being advertised to this day.
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Everyone's afraid they'll end up looking like your avatar... or your Kathy Bates photo!
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Author of the book written on E-R.org: "The Military Guide to Financial Independence and Retirement."
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01-09-2007, 11:07 PM
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#20
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Full time employment: Posting here.
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 509
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Re: Asking for raise
Am I the only one that works for Mega corp and actually finds it better than any other startup or mega corp I've worked for?
Great pay and excellent benefits, enjoyable work (most of the time, but at worst it's never actually "bad") that lets me express my creativity and communication strengths, coworkers who respect and work with me, and flexible hours with telecommuting whenever I want as long as I don't have in-person meetings.
[quote=cube_rat ]
I recently walked away from mega corp to a small, privately owned company and couldn't be more happier. I can't believe all of the crap I put up with!! I should've just worn signs that said "kick me cause I'm stupid" or "I'm a freaking masochist". My position is still being advertised to this day. Mega corp couldn't pay me enough to go back!
[/quote
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