I asked for a raise

[Sister C]

Today I asked for a raise.  And when my boss immediately said no I kept negotiating (gently), and she ended by saying she would see what she could do to get closer to the salary of another job offer.  I'm also negotiating for more time off, which will likely be unpaid.  This is all in the context of a new contract for my position. 

This is the first time I have asked for a raise and the second time I have negotiated a salary.  Felt pretty badass to go outside of my comfort zone and ask for more.  These negotiations much easier because I have FU money- I am ready to walk away and they know it.  Luckily, I have a specialized position and it would be hard to replace me. 

Anyone else ask for a raise or expanded benefits recently?  Tips for negotiating?

[Gone Fishing]

Good job!  I asked many times over the course of my career.  It only worked once, and that was when I semi-bluffed (maybe I would have, eventually?) leaving when I knew a competitor was hiring for $15k more.  I got the $15k.

My wife has asked many times as well with no luck.  The odds can be low, but just keep after it. Only takes one or two successes to make hundreds of thousands of dollars of difference to the stache over time.

[Sister C]

I like that way of putting it, Gone Fishing!  It costs nothing to ask and you may win, even if the odds of getting any one raise are low.

[acroy]

BADASS!!
good on you. congratulations!

[Cornel_Westside]

People are saying "the odds are low," and they may be right. Asking for a raise may have low odds for actually getting one. But what invariably has very very high odds for an increase in salary is a new job. Companies are incentivized to only pay competitive salaries for new hires. If you aren't getting what you are worth, you are much more likely to change that at a new company than your current one. Unless you have unheard of perks as your current job or you have very few other opportunities in your area (or you're just... not that valuable), you should look for a new job if you are underpaid. Give your current company a chance, but they are much less likely to budge than a company that needs someone new. Your company already has you - they're taking you for granted. A company that needs more people feels the pain of not having you every day - they'll pay more.

[Sister C]

That's a good point Cornel-West. In my field, I would make the most money if I became my own boss, and I will almost certainly do that at some point. Working for this company has some perks, and it may make sense given my family situation. I have a 14 month old and we hope to have another child soon. Pregnancy, birth and post-partum are nice times to have good health insurance and to be established enough in a job that you can coast when necessary.

[carozy]

Good for you, that it badass!  It's hard to do that but having prepared with FU $ is an great strategy.  Glad it worked!

[Sjalabais]

Well done! When do you get feedback on the result of your boss' thinking?

My wife and I both work in the public sector and salaries are pretty fixed, based on education, time at the employer etc, with centralised negotiations. Yet we both have gotten raises out of asking and negotiating. My wife is even en route to making a career for showing that she cares and pushing all the people on the ladder above her both on cases and content, but also on pay. I am not interested in advancing anywhere right now, but ask for a raise every 2-3 years. Faring well with it, especially considering that I originally started ona pretty low salary.

[Sister C]

Great to hear that you and your wife have been successful negotiating raises in a situation that seemed inflexible.  I should hear next week, after vacations and big company events have wrapped up. I'll let you know!

[Calvawt]

As a long time manager/director/executive I would point out that you can usually only leverage the "I have another offer" once at a company (maybe more in a large company where you have changed departments).  Also, most managers have no control over your pay outside of the plain old review process, there are of course exceptions and family owned or small companies generally have less rules in place.

Before asking for a raise, I would advise anyone to prepare a justification that documents your value added behaviors, successes, etc.  When you can show actual data, it is more compelling.  While that is easy in sales roles or project management, it can be hard to demonstrate in some other areas. 

Generally changing departments or companies is the best path to increasing income outside of promotions, but moving too much can also hurt your income eventually.  I have seen people move around once a year to get small raises and then miss out on getting a director job because 5 companies in 6 years displays no loyalty to employers.  One or two job changes in 5-6 years is probably okay, especially if you can demonstrate growth or expanded skills, but too much can stop you from even getting that next interview!

Good luck!

[Erica]

Good for you! It's great you understand the value you bring to the table.


My raise is already promised for 2018. They chose the terms

I did bluff once....hinted I'd need to start seeking another job if I didn't get the hours I wanted

It was very non-confrontational

Previously worked Mondays 3pm-9am the following morning. And Thursdays 2:30pm-9:30am the following morning. 4 days per wk

Now I work back to back shifts, Wed 3pm-9am the following morning and Thursday 3pm-9:30am the following morning- 3 days per wk 

It's easier to work all shifts in 3 days versus 4 days. There is about 6+ hrs of shut eye with each shift

[Sister C]

I met with my boss today and here's the update:

No raise, but more time off and a fancier title.  I'm glad I asked, and I do appreciate the additional paid time off.  And the lack of a raise is good in the sense that it has motivated me to actively work towards self-employment, which is the most lucrative company to work for in my field.  My promise to myself is that I will use the security I have within my job (and the extra time) to build the groundwork for self-employment, with a quit deadline of 6 months.  This is the kick in the pants I needed.

[stashgrower]

Congrats on the extra time off and new title! I like your attitude ;D

(edited to fix error)

[Sister C]

Thanks Stashgrower!  It did take me a minute to re-adjust the attitude ;)

But I do think this outcome is all for the best.