What do you all think of this approach.....?

[Bobbber]

Hiya all!

I've looked into similar jobs to the one I'm currently doing and noticed I'm being paid 50% less than the average for my area (jobwise and locationwise). Several attempts to have my pay increased with my boss has gone unactioned by higher management.

I have a meeting with my boss - and I am going to hand him several job descriptions and salaries. Also a sheet from a 'salary checking website' which confirms this lack of remuneration.

Does anyone think this is a good way to get my pay increased to what I'm worth, or should I just apply for one of these other jobs (which I am more than capable of doing/getting).

Only thing is I like my current job - but doing myself out of all that money is surely letting myself down.

Thanks!

Bob

 

[CajunCenturion]

Have you been given a reason why your previous attempts at getting a pay raise have not been acted upon?

I don't know enough about your situation to say whether or not it is a good approach, but if you do choose to make another case and present data from an outside source, make very sure that you're comparing apples to apples. You need to take into account the total compensation package, which is more than just salary, and the complete job description. You might be sure that your comparison addresses personal qualifications (certifications, degress, etc.) and experience.

--------------
Good Luck
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As a circle of light increases so does the circumference of darkness around it. - Albert Einstein

 

[Bobbber]

Thanks for quick reply!

Yes - the jobs in question are virtually identical. I currently get only basic salary.

Previous attempts have been ignored because I believe noone else in the company has a clue what I do! Also because the company is on an 'Economy Drive'.

Bob

 

[kHz]

There are so many variables in those salary surveys that you cannot rely on the entirely.

How do they collect the data? Do they ask users to the website to supply their information and that is the information used? If so, what if they had four people reply in an area. That is hardly statistical proof of the true salary/benefits for that particular job in that area.

Say the job is for a system administrator. One guy has 300 servers and has to support web applications and other apps. Another person has 20 servers and doesn't support any apps. But the 300 server guy makes $40,000 more. The 20 server guy could say he is underpaid by looking only at the 300 server guy's pay. This is inaacurate.

If you like your job that may be something that can't be quantified. Be sure your approach is what you want to do. Maybe management will take it that you are dissatisfied and find a replacement.

Good luck.

 

[RCorrigan]

There is nothing stopping you applying for any one of the better paid jobs ....... maybe it is something you should do.

There are a whole heap of variables, location, commute, hours, overtime, expected time, benefits-in-kind etc

By applying and (hopefully) getting an/many interview/s you would see what is really on offer and get to compare work places & work ethics (albeit from the outside looking in)

<Do I need A Signature or will an X do?>

 

[LFI]

Approach 1:

If they're in "economy-drive," then you can even get them to agree that you're worth more, but they're not going to GIVE you more (probably), unless, that is, you came to them with a legitimate offer from another company in hand.

Chances are, from your description, they still will not be able to meet the other offer, but perhaps an increase will be offered.

You will need to be prepared with the following if you do this:

- know exactly what offer from your company you will accept, even if it doesn't meet the other offer.

- be prepared to take the other offer if they do not meet your minimum #.

It's perhaps not the nicest approach... to apply for a job to use the offer as leverage, knowing full well you might turn down the offer... but people do do this and if you don't look out for yourself, who is going to look out for you?

Approach 2:

Search for this topic at

http://www.asktheheadhunter.com.

Even though I have not be looking for a job for quite some time, I still read this guy's newsletter weekly. Good stuff.

Good luck.

Dave


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
O Time, Strength, Cash, and Patience!

 

[CasperTFG]

I would personally advise against telling them that you ahve another offer at price X and asking them to raise your salary or you will take the offer.

It's up to you in the end, but I have noticed that people that do this generally do not last much longer. You appear to your boss as a flight risk, if you have already found other jobs elswhere in the past then why would they think you to be loyal. This can be a real damper on a career.

Just My Humble Opinion.

Casper

There is room for all of gods creatures, "Right Beside the Mashed Potatoes".

 

[LFI]

I pretty much agree with you. I think the only way the first approach I mentioned works is when you ARE REALLY PLANNING ON LEAVING and then your boss, hearing of your immenent departure, makes a few inquiries and then delivers an offer you can't refuse to try and keep you.

However, I have no doubt that people apply for jobs with the hopes that their bosses will "accidentally" hear about it and make a counter-offer. To do that, however, is obviously a gamble.

Dave


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
O Time, Strength, Cash, and Patience!

 

[MDXer]

Also consider that it is a common practice among companies to base a new employees salary on the salary history. So if your looking at an 80K job and your currently at 40-50K then the new company may have a hard time hiring you at the 80K rate and may offer something like 60K.

It is hard, although not impossible, for someone to place a realistic dollar value on what they are worth to a company. When it comes to salary we usually like to believe we are worth more than what we are. Sometimes this is even more so when we look at moving to a new company because you know you have been low balled and feel you may not have been paid fairly so the tendency is to try and make up for it.

You basically have 2 options.
1) Document your value to the company and push for a higher salary and hope your taken care of.

2) If the money is that much of an issue then find something better.

Just remember as discussed in a previous thread. The grass is not always greener on the other side.

Shoot Me! Shoot Me NOW!!!
- Daffy Duck

 

[aarenot]

Give 110%, make it unmistakable that you do. If that is not appreciated, and compensated, then do not worry about if you keep the job, but find a new one before you go. Do not let anyone know before you take the new job, if it comes to that. Put in for all your vacation, once it is approved, turn in your notice, but remember have the new job first.

Always remember, you work for you, no matter who writes the check, you can fire your employer anytime you want. You got that job, do not feel as if it is the only job, or they are the only employer, after all, you were looking for a job when you got this one.
Also, the best way to play one employer against another is to get an offer for a new job, tell them you will n eed to discuss it with your wife and ask for few days, if they will wait for an answer. Take that offer to your current employer, and ask them if they would like a chance to retain you since this is an financial opportunity you would be irresponsible not to consider. If they sweeten the pot, then go to the firm offering you the position, and tell them what you want to come to work for them. If your current employer raises your pay, it can put you in a position to get more from the new firm. Do not do this if you are unwilling to take the new position, and know ahaead of time you are only using the current employers offer to get more out of the new firm. Once you play this game with a current employer, you lose a certain credability as a long term team player, although using current pay to negotiate with a new firm is not looked oat as a negative as much.
In closing, loyalty to a company except for a very few, and those pay well, is foolish. They care about making money, not about you, they usually have no loyalty, so give none. I will say, my shortest term job has been 5 years, so I am not a job jumper, I am a realist.

You do not always get what you pay for, but you never get what you do not pay for.

 

[mmorancbt]

I apologize ahead of time for any usage and spelling errors.

Those darn salary surveys and average salary list. I believe they are the bane of many good opportunities.

It isn't that I am against someone making as much money as they can - in fact, I believe everyone can and should make as much as their potential and talent provides.

But salary surveys cause all kinds of problems. Here is why. Not every company's value for a given skill-set is the same value that you place on that skill-set. Between employers the value they place also varies widely.

If I bring all my skills to a 1 person mechanic shop and hope to make the type of income I am accustomed to, I will be very dissappointed. This isn't a problem with the mechanic shop but with my understanding of the dynamic of perceived value.

I often teach technology professionals to have a more entreprenuerial perspective with your career and the opportunities that come your way. This is one example. I work for a variety of companies and have a set rate schedule. I earn more than many who do what I do (who use the same skill list).

I get referred into companies. They explain their need - I provide my value proposition and my estimation of cost. If they turn it down, if they do not want to pay me my rate, I have two choices - take the job or leave it. I leave it. There is always another opportunity.

This has been the case since the beginning of my career. If there is an opportunity that I feel provides some benefit - role, responsibility, connections, acquired skills, money, etc. - I will consider it. If it does not have a perceived value, I move on.

Whether or not you are consulting - freelance, like I do - or are a staff employee - try to view opportunity and pay in this fashion. If a company does not place value on the value you bring, find the company that will.

I blogged this topic last week based on a discussion thread I read somewhere.

GETTING THE RAISE YOU WANT:

http://blogs.ittoolbox.com/pm/career/archives/007173.asp

Matthew Moran
Read my career blog at:

http://www.cbtoolkit.com

Career Blog:

http://blogs.ittoolbox.com/pm/career/

Todo esta bien.. Todo esta divertido (it's all good, it's all fun)

 

[MDXer]

Using an offer to try and get a better package from your current employer isn't a good idea. Yeah you might get more money but what happens next time you want a raise? Go find another job that will ay you even more? I have read that very few people who do this actually survive any length of time at their current employer. A company is more willing to up the ante for a valuable respected employee who they have heard is entertaining offers or being scouted. If you feel you are under compensated and have gotten to the point of looking for something better then you probably don't fit into this category. Pushing a company in this manner creates nothing but hard feelings on all sides.

Shoot Me! Shoot Me NOW!!!
- Daffy Duck

 

[svanels]

I have a meeting with my boss - and I am going to hand him several job descriptions and salaries. Also a sheet from a 'salary checking website' which confirms this lack of remuneration.

Sounds like you are going to jump into his office and put a knife on his throat (he may not like that..)



You have 3 possible outcomes:
1)If you are realy grossly underpaid, your boss will feel very guilty , ask forgiveness for the past exploration and give you an 80% raise

2) He will ask why you are still here if you can get twice as much outside

3) Take your records, documentation etc.. and after a week he has another job (because he is also grossly underpaid by the ), and leave the "boss" position for you to fill in, promotion !!!

I prefer to focus on what I do for the company, instead of what others say.
The probability of outcome 2 is 99% if your case is not supported by facts.

Steven

 

[aarenot]

I wanted to add to my previous post, there are companies that value their employees, respect them and compensate them to the best of their ability. They offer what they are capable of offering their employees. They treat their employees like valued assets, invest in them, and develope them. They show a concern for what is important to the employee, and work to create a win-win situation for themselves, the employee, and their customers. These are few and far between, and offer a stable fulfilling situation for all concerned. If you find one of these, work your tail off, be loyal, and contribute in every way you can, regardless of if it is in your job description or not. These types of companies have something to offer that a little bit, or even a lot more money will never compensate you beyond these things. If you have the opportunity to work for a company like this, stay there. These companies look at your employment as a partnership, treat it like one.

With these companies, if you do partner with them, you do not have to struggle for the things you deserve. You only have to prove your a good partner.

You do not always get what you pay for, but you never get what you do not pay for.