Gauntlet for the employed: ASK for a raise

[Zamboni]

Are you in the accumulation phase? Me too.

Let's ask for a raise! My goal is to have the second conversation with my boss about this by the end of October. The first conversation was in May . . . at that one I knew I would be getting a blase raise in July, and mostly I asked my boss questions about how the cycle for raises works here. I learned a bunch about how the process works, when is the time this all happens, who needs to approve what, etc. Technically they can give a raise any time, but in practice they give raises at the same time each year unless someone has a competing job offer they have to match.

Are you with me? Let's do our research and have a few conversations that lead to a bigger than normal raise this year!

[PDM]

Are you in the accumulation phase? Me too.

Let's ask for a raise! My goal is to have the second conversation with my boss about this by the end of October. The first conversation was in May . . . at that one I knew I would be getting a blase raise in July, and mostly I asked my boss questions about how the cycle for raises works here. I learned a bunch about how the process works, when is the time this all happens, who needs to approve what, etc. Technically they can give a raise any time, but in practice they give raises at the same time each year unless someone has a competing job offer they have to match.

Are you with me? Let's do our research and have a few conversations that lead to a bigger than normal raise this year!

Step 1. Be grateful I kept my job after $100mil+ cuts company recently made to overheads (i.e staff).

Step 2. There is no step 2. Not for the near future at least.

[Zamboni]

When did this happen? And, more importantly, how long are you planning to keep the "just happy I have a job" mantra going? One year? Two years? Five?

Believe it or not, right at the same time all those cuts were happening, there were probably a few people in your organization who negotiated raises anyway.

[Zamboni]

Some inspiration from Margaret Neale:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXFpOWDAhvM

[Rural]

Can't negotiate with the government.

[PDM]

When did this happen? And, more importantly, how long are you planning to keep the "just happy I have a job" mantra going? One year? Two years? Five?

Believe it or not, right at the same time all those cuts were happening, there were probably a few people in your organization who negotiated raises anyway.

Process mostly finished this month. Also I'm acutely aware of my value in the current market and that I'm probably overpaid as it is. Happy to be overpaid til FIRE target date.

[Zamboni]

^^People negotiate with governments regularly. Maybe you need to reframe the negotiation to be about the possibility of moving to the next salary band? Or something else that you want . . . whatever that may be.

I get that asking for a raise is difficult . . . that's why this is in the "throw down the gauntlet" section. Posting "I can't even ask because of xyz reasons" here is just a form of being a complainypants. It's like when someone posts a case study, and then people make suggestions to improve the situation, and then the OP comes back with "but I can't do that because of xyz." Hmmm . . .

For the more optimistic, I found this one interesting:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wp21VmpQKEY 

[Rural]

^^People negotiate with governments regularly. Maybe you need to reframe the negotiation to be about the possibility of moving to the next salary band? Or something else that you want . . . whatever that may be.

I get that asking for a raise is difficult . . . that's why this is in the "throw down the gauntlet" section. Posting "I can't even ask because of xyz reasons" here is just a form of being a complainypants. It's like when someone posts a case study, and then people make suggestions to improve the situation, and then the OP comes back with "but I can't do that because of xyz." Hmmm . . .

For the more optimistic, I found this one interesting:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wp21VmpQKEY

Heh. If I were a fed, I could indeed look to the next pay band, but since my state has no such thing as pay bands...


I manage spending and side hustles, and I negotiated my starting salary. If I wanted to effectively remove all of my bargaining power for other things, I could make noises about money. Since I have tenure, I imagine I could extend the unpleasantness for several years before I lost my job over it, but I'd definitely remove any chance of promotion if I want it and, ironically, of getting any of the rare merit raises, which I have thus far in the two years of my seven when there were raises available for. 10% of the workforce.


I'd intended my comment to be a one-off. But the comparison to a case study where someone wants change but is unwilling to make changes was uncalled for, and it meant I needed to explain further, which is a shame as it isn't the topic of your gauntlet. You don't/ can't understand situations of which you are not a part and about which you don't have any information (no one can). So why assume you know the situation better than someone in it?


I didn't mean to derail, so I'm done about this topic. I wish all of you in jobs where you can push for a raise good luck.

[Zamboni]

Apparently it is very common to not want to ask for a raise. Here is a quote about just that:

"In short, managers and employees should take this relatively small time out of their loaded calendars to discuss something they feel extremely important… but they don’t, because they’re scared of what might happen if they did."

It's from this article with the title "40% of Employees Won’t Ask for a Raise or Promotion — Here’s Why":
https://www.process.st/ask-for-a-raise/

But "I can't ask" and "I don't want to ask because of xyz reason" are not the same thing.

There are both men and women who are afraid to ask . . . but women are much less likely to ask. In fact, there are books called Women Don't Ask and Ask for It! Both discuss the contribution that women's hesitation to ask for things makes to the wage gap between men and women.

People come up with all kinds of reasons why they refuse to ask for anything; no surprise at all that the initial reaction to this thread was right along those lines. On the other hand, those who do their homework regularly about pay and ask in a relentlessly pleasant way often reap the dividends.

[Zamboni]

I took a small step today by asking my boss's assistant to get something scheduled for the next month . . . preferably a lunch meeting.

I also did some research online. I work for a very large employer and there are over 250 people with my exact title at my exact location who have reported salaries to a neutral third party. There are also public employers in my field in the local area, and I can look at published databases for that (state employee salaries are a matter of public record here.) Unfortunately the most recent numbers I can find online is from 2014 . . . but that is better than nothing.

[charis]

I'm in.  I work for the GOV and will make it a goal to at least have the conversation of merit increase.

[marty998]

Didn't have to ask. Got the shock of my life today when they just gave me one. It wasn't a trivial one either! :D :D :D :D :D

I am probably only being brought up to a level where my peers are at, but it still feels amazing to know I have a boss who recognises my contribution and I don't have to beg and plead my case for it.

[MrRealEstate]

I did this a few weeks ago. unfortunately the company only does raises once a year after year end financials are released. They did say they are taking into account the extra work I do and will be  a factor when raises are decided for the next year.

I have been keeping a list of tasks I complete that aren't in my job description, things other people are unable to figure out, and things that generally set me ahead of others.

I figure I can go in to try and renegotiate the raise when it's released, and if not I can walk after my bonus is dispersed and my retirement vesting is complete(a couple months after raises). Unfortunately for them, this is right before the busy season, but that is when they hired me and threw me into the fire.

[mustachepungoeshere]

Didn't have to ask. Got the shock of my life today when they just gave me one. It wasn't a trivial one either! :D :D :D :D :D

I am probably only being brought up to a level where my peers are at, but it still feels amazing to know I have a boss who recognises my contribution and I don't have to beg and plead my case for it.

Congratulations! It's wonderful that all your effort is being recognised.

[Zamboni]

Excellent! I'm glad we all have some company in this.

The earliest meeting I could get scheduled with the boss was in a couple of weeks (he's a busy guy.) Meanwhile, I'm going to keep doing my research and come up with a list of items besides salary to negotiate so I can package things together.

[MrRealEstate]

Excellent! I'm glad we all have some company in this.

The earliest meeting I could get scheduled with the boss was in a couple of weeks (he's a busy guy.) Meanwhile, I'm going to keep doing my research and come up with a list of items besides salary to negotiate so I can package things together.

be sure to also have a list of why you deserve it. It never hurts to have a few extra reasons why you're indispensable.

[Zamboni]

My ask has been made. It will take awhile to work its way through the system, so now it is a waiting game.

Meanwhile, my climate at work is not great. So on the market I go. I do not really like looking for a job, but historically I have not had to look very long to find competitive and attractive offers.

How is it going for you? Have you started the process of asking for a raise?

[HairyUpperLip]

I want to ask for a raise so badly. I'll be completing a fairly large project within in the next couple of months and I really want to ask for a 20% bump.

I've got mid year reviews coming up. Should I bring it up now? my company does a typical annual raise thing and it's been around 3% so far.

[FrugalLakes]

I began the conversation about a raise last week.  It went well and I am now working through the process.  Hopefully it ends well!

[Zamboni]

I want to ask for a raise so badly. I'll be completing a fairly large project within in the next couple of months and I really want to ask for a 20% bump.

I've got mid year reviews coming up. Should I bring it up now? my company does a typical annual raise thing and it's been around 3% so far.

I asked for 20%. He seemed surprised but not shocked. A 20% increase does not put me into a shocking salary range. It does seem like it's good to plant the seed of thought in your boss's mind now. You can follow up about it again as well. That way you can ask but there's not the "you have to decide right this minute" pressure on the boss.

I began the conversation about a raise last week.  It went well and I am now working through the process.  Hopefully it ends well!

Good job! Working up the nerve to bring it up is the hardest part . . .

[ender]

I'm looking at getting a promotion and have been laying the groundwork for it over the past months and plan on trying to get this promotion come Jan/Feb of next year.

I've got a notes document I'm tracking the items which are relevant and plan on bringing the conversation up again in early November.

Posting here to follow and keep myself accountable.

[RedmondStash]

I asked for a substantial raise when I negotiated going from freelance contractor to permanent employee. Even though it was scary, I got what I asked for, which surprised me; I actually asked for an inflated number, figuring there would be some negotiation. There wasn't, possibly because of how I laid out my case for the new salary. It left me wondering if I should have asked for more. :)

I'm content where I am now, partly because I hope to be FIREd before raises come around again, but best of luck to everyone aiming for one!

[Padonak]

Posting to follow

[Zamboni]

Posting to follow up:

My raise negotiation, although a difficult conversation that I somewhat dreaded, worked out. I got greater than a 15% raise, and next year they are targeting >5% again for me. If I had not asked, then the raise would have been ~2% this year.

Did you ask yet? What have you got to lose?

[Tay_CPA]

Posting to follow up:

My raise negotiation, although a difficult conversation that I somewhat dreaded, worked out. I got greater than a 15% raise, and next year they are targeting >5% again for me. If I had not asked, then the raise would have been ~2% this year.

Did you ask yet? What have you got to lose?

Congratulations!! Very nice work. During my annual review this year, my boss offered a 10% raise (which is already awesome) but I still asked for 15% even though I was super nervous to do so. He said yes!

I'm always reading about how women are much less likely to ask for raises, so that's what motivated me whenever I considered not asking. I was so happy when it worked out! You never know unless you ask.

[Zamboni]

^Great job, Tay_CPA!

I'm also extremely delighted to report that a friend recently completed some advanced education and was looking for her first job in the new field. She is awesome and I knew she would got multiple offers if she just planned it out right, and I was nervous she would just say "yes" to the first thing someone offered without considering her own high level of awesomeness. I also knew that places might try to lowball her. We had a long conversation (almost a whole day) during which she made a long list of things she wanted in a job, target salary, etc. Then she did some extensive online research about salaries.

When the offers started to roll in, she did great! She got a whole bunch of the things she wanted, including a higher salary than the first offer, moving expenses that went through a couple of rounds of negotiation (from nothing, to $500, to covering her whole move), lots of other job perks. Proud of her effort!

She said it was surprisingly hard not to just jump gratefully for the first thing she was offered, because it was already sooo much higher than what she makes now, and that she was glad she had her research numbers ready to justify her ask when they initially said they couldn't go any higher . . . guess what: of course they could go higher!

[Tay_CPA]

Zamboni that's awesome! So glad you had that conversation with your friend and she was able to successfully negotiate for what she wanted. As long as you are polite, respectful, and have some information to back up what you are asking for, the worst that can happen is the company says no. Doesn't hurt to ask! Especially when negotiating for a new position.

The covering of moving costs is a nice perk! I haven't had to move for a job yet, but I have some engineering friends whose companies paid for everything - one friend didn't even have to pack any of his stuff, the movers came in and did it all. I believe he even had the option to ship his car if he didn't want to drive it across the US. Crazy!

Best of luck to your friend in her new job :)

[HairyUpperLip]

Posting to follow up:

My raise negotiation, although a difficult conversation that I somewhat dreaded, worked out. I got greater than a 15% raise, and next year they are targeting >5% again for me. If I had not asked, then the raise would have been ~2% this year.

Did you ask yet? What have you got to lose?

Great job!

[HairyUpperLip]

I want to ask for a raise so badly. I'll be completing a fairly large project within in the next couple of months and I really want to ask for a 20% bump.

I've got mid year reviews coming up. Should I bring it up now? my company does a typical annual raise thing and it's been around 3% so far.

My update -

Without asking, I was called out of the blue and told I've been identified as a key player and they are rewarding with an employment contract bonus. If I stay on for the next year, which I had planned to do anyways, I'll receive a bonus of 50% - mind = blown. I'll get the bonus payout in April 2018.

Still going to try and ask for a raise when those conversations come up in April/May. Will provide another update then.

Thanks guys.

[Tyson]

I want to ask for a raise so badly. I'll be completing a fairly large project within in the next couple of months and I really want to ask for a 20% bump.

I've got mid year reviews coming up. Should I bring it up now? my company does a typical annual raise thing and it's been around 3% so far.

My update -

Without asking, I was called out of the blue and told I've been identified as a key player and they are rewarding with an employment contract bonus. If I stay on for the next year, which I had planned to do anyways, I'll receive a bonus of 50% - mind = blown. I'll get the bonus payout in April 2018.

Still going to try and ask for a raise when those conversations come up in April/May. Will provide another update then.

Thanks guys.

Oh, you could buy a really nice car with that extra $$!!!  Oh wait, wrong forum :-)

[Zamboni]

Definitely still ask for a raise, HairyUpperLip, and anything else you can think of you want . . . that open office down the hall? the next office with a view? more money to travel? an assistant or summer co-op student? free parking if parking is an issue? pay your cell phone bill (if you need it for work at all)? pay your tuition for that course?
more vacation? A service sabbatical so you can do a week or three of volunteer work? Let you telecommute or work from home one or more days a week? Pay your monthly country club bill (if you take customers golfing)?

I'm semi-kidding on that last one, since I don't think the country club jetset is generally on this board, but I did have a job where the company paid my boss's monthly golf dues.

They've just acknowledged that they value you . . . so remind them of the great job you've done and see how far it can go this year!

[OurTown]

Office down the hall with a view . . . check.
Free (covered) parking . . . check.
Pay my cell phone . . . check.

[ooeei]

Damn, some of the results in here are crazy!  I just got 8% last week and thought I was doing well.  Granted, this is an oil/gas company that's had a lot of layoffs, so it was still better than the 0% I got last year.  It's separate from the standard increase that hopefully happens this year, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a bit of icing on the cake.  Now I'm just waiting for our 401k match to come back.

The raise actually came about because I asked for more vacation time, and they said they absolutely can't do that (although I am getting that unofficially as well), but could maybe do a raise. 

[Zamboni]

Office down the hall with a view . . . check.
Free (covered) parking . . . check.
Pay my cell phone . . . check.

Sweet! Did you ask for those things? Companies can often do little things that improve the general climate at work.

Damn, some of the results in here are crazy!  I just got 8% last week and thought I was doing well.  Granted, this is an oil/gas company that's had a lot of layoffs, so it was still better than the 0% I got last year.  It's separate from the standard increase that hopefully happens this year, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a bit of icing on the cake.  Now I'm just waiting for our 401k match to come back.

The raise actually came about because I asked for more vacation time, and they said they absolutely can't do that (although I am getting that unofficially as well), but could maybe do a raise. 

Asking for something is always a good call . . . you never know where it will lead. Be sure to thank your boss so he or she will know you appreciate the effort.

[nick663]

I've done pretty well in this area (especially for Engineering).  Unfortunately I just started at my new job 6 months ago and have already received a cost of living increase since then so I won't be asking for a raise in the immediate future.

I'll be switching roles within the next year or two anyways and will get to negotiate my new salary at that time.

I did this a few weeks ago. unfortunately the company only does raises once a year after year end financials are released. They did say they are taking into account the extra work I do and will be  a factor when raises are decided for the next year.

I have been keeping a list of tasks I complete that aren't in my job description, things other people are unable to figure out, and things that generally set me ahead of others.

I figure I can go in to try and renegotiate the raise when it's released, and if not I can walk after my bonus is dispersed and my retirement vesting is complete(a couple months after raises). Unfortunately for them, this is right before the busy season, but that is when they hired me and threw me into the fire.

This bolded is BS that managers say because they're not willing to fight HR.  If you had a job offer from a competitor they would magically come up with the money to match that offer.

How far you want to push that while maintaining good relations with your manager though is always a tough balance.

The covering of moving costs is a nice perk! I haven't had to move for a job yet, but I have some engineering friends whose companies paid for everything - one friend didn't even have to pack any of his stuff, the movers came in and did it all. I believe he even had the option to ship his car if he didn't want to drive it across the US. Crazy!

Just went through this exact scenario (including the car shipping option).  It is every bit as nice as it sounds.

[ooeei]

Asking for something is always a good call . . . you never know where it will lead. Be sure to thank your boss so he or she will know you appreciate the effort.

Yeah I was pretty firm on the vacation, they came back saying they could only do it unofficially, and I basically said that wasn't good enough (although in a slightly more strategic way).   I also asked right around the end of a big project we did very well on, and have great bosses who are willing to go to bat for me.  I did thank them, and they assured me there was more coming in the future once the company relaxes a bit.  Right now the oil market is still bleak, so the higher ups really push back on benefits/raises.

Really it comes down to me doing well at my job, and volunteering for things other people don't want to do.  Becoming a "go-to" resource at work means they'll try harder to keep you around.  At most places I've worked, the bar isn't set very high, so just actually working 6 hours a day instead of the regular person's 3-4 will get you ahead.  Heck, I'm one of the only people I've ever heard at work telling their boss they're out of things to do, what else can you give me?  That alone sets a really good precedent that you aren't wasting time.  I've actually had my boss tell me to just figure out something to do because he ran out of stuff to give me.

Another big factor was having enough FU money to feel comfortable with the risk.  I'm nowhere near RE levels, but I've got enough that I could (although wouldn't want to) sustain myself for a few years if I really had to.  Chances are I could find a good job within 6 months, and I have that much easily accessible.  Another example of having money allowing you to make more money!

[Overflow]

Posting to follow.

In the past i have really struggled at this.

When I haven't brought up compensation i have received 10%, 10% and 13% raises over the last four years. However, my last raise was 16 months ago.

I got antsy, so I asked. And they said they were reworking the entire compensation structure for the company. Basically no regular raises any more, just an annual bonus based on profits from my particular team (something that I only kinda have control over). When I tried to ask about base raise increases....it didn't go well.

 Apparently they look over people's compensation each July, and if anyones comp seems off, then they will adjust accordingly.

Listening here for inspiration and advice.

[Zamboni]

annual bonus based on profits

Oh, I have gotten so screwed over by that kind of system in the past! I took a job once where the company-wide bonus structure was described to me as 2.5% to 15% bonus based upon hitting targets. About 2 weeks after I started they changed it to 2.5% to 12.5% . . . then two years later we found out 2.5% was actually the floor . . . 0% bonus was the floor. Nice! The weird thing was the way targets were set for different groups. The same year I got 0% working in R&D based upon lower than expected corporate profits, HR at the company got a huge bonus. Hmmm.

Basically no regular raises any more, just an annual bonus based on profits from my particular team (something that I only kinda have control over). When I tried to ask about base raise increases....it didn't go well.

 Apparently they look over people's compensation each July, and if anyones comp seems off, then they will adjust accordingly.

Listening here for inspiration and advice.

My advice is to keep bringing it up in multiple conversations every single year. Keep your eye on the overall job market, including applying to outside jobs that look enticing to you. They will adjust compensation on an individual basis as needed to keep competent employees . . . if they do not, then it will be their loss. :-)

[nick663]

I got antsy, so I asked. And they said they were reworking the entire compensation structure for the company. Basically no regular raises any more, just an annual bonus based on profits from my particular team (something that I only kinda have control over). When I tried to ask about base raise increases....it didn't go well.

 Apparently they look over people's compensation each July, and if anyones comp seems off, then they will adjust accordingly.

Listening here for inspiration and advice.

They're not even doing a cost of living increase?

[Overflow]

I got antsy, so I asked. And they said they were reworking the entire compensation structure for the company. Basically no regular raises any more, just an annual bonus based on profits from my particular team (something that I only kinda have control over). When I tried to ask about base raise increases....it didn't go well.

 Apparently they look over people's compensation each July, and if anyones comp seems off, then they will adjust accordingly.

Listening here for inspiration and advice.

They're not even doing a cost of living increase?

Nope. HR manager told me "we are trying to get away from 'just don't get fired and you will get a raise' attitude". I guess they felt like too many people had been hanging around for several years and getting raises above their value - just because they didn't get fired.

HR department went through a major overhaul, and the new regime is a big reactionary to the old way of doing things. Swing the pendulum the other way....

[Overflow]

annual bonus based on profits

0% bonus was the floor. Nice!

Basically no regular raises any more, just an annual bonus based on profits from my particular team (something that I only kinda have control over). When I tried to ask about base raise increases....it didn't go well.

 Apparently they look over people's compensation each July, and if anyones comp seems off, then they will adjust accordingly.

My advice is to keep bringing it up in multiple conversations every single year. Keep your eye on the overall job market, including applying to outside jobs that look enticing to you. They will adjust compensation on an individual basis as needed to keep competent employees . . . if they do not, then it will be their loss. :-)

Yeah, so they didn't explicitly say it, but the floor for our annual bonus is 0%. There is no cap on it...but nothing guaranteed.

[nick663]

I got antsy, so I asked. And they said they were reworking the entire compensation structure for the company. Basically no regular raises any more, just an annual bonus based on profits from my particular team (something that I only kinda have control over). When I tried to ask about base raise increases....it didn't go well.

 Apparently they look over people's compensation each July, and if anyones comp seems off, then they will adjust accordingly.

Listening here for inspiration and advice.

They're not even doing a cost of living increase?

Nope. HR manager told me "we are trying to get away from 'just don't get fired and you will get a raise' attitude". I guess they felt like too many people had been hanging around for several years and getting raises above their value - just because they didn't get fired.

HR department went through a major overhaul, and the new regime is a big reactionary to the old way of doing things. Swing the pendulum the other way....

Unless the people at your company are seriously overpaid, I'd expect some coworkers to be disappearing soon.  Cost of living goes up every year so people can only afford to stay for so long with that attitude from HR.  Not to mention the psychological aspect of not having your efforts viewed as worthy of an increase in pay.

[Cornel_Westside]

This is a great idea for a thread.

In my input for my review I talked a lot about the things I've done and I said I want more responsibility in many areas but I never explicitly said I want a raise. I need to have some information backing up my request for a raise when my review comes up. I have to do it then and at least get a cost of living raise and a plan for future raises. But I see no reason why I don't deserve at least a 5% raise.

[ooeei]

Not really an asked for raise, but we're getting our 401k match back in July.  Basically a 4% "raise" for me, since they suspended it about 6 months after I became eligible.  Keeping my fingers crossed for a company wide raise this year in addition to the individual one I already negotiated.

[afuera]

Thank you for this thread!!

I lurked on it for a bit and listened to others stories and strategies.  During my yearly performance review, I leveraged a lot of the recent work I had done and a lot of the responsibility I had recently taken on and asked for a raise.  My boss ended up retiring before the raises were announced so my superboss (boss's boss) was the one who "gave" me my yearly COL raise which was a tiny 2.25%.  I was definitely disappointed but figured I had just been the victim of bad timing and would try again at my next performance review.  Well it turns out my old boss put the request in to give me a promotion to the next salary grade along with a 6% raise before he retired and it was finally processed and approved.  I just found out today :)  This thread definitely helped push me to ask for a little more compensation and get over my imposters syndrome!

[Overflow]

Hey guys, got a situation that I thought this thread would find interesting.

And I need you advice.

I have been with my current company for 4 years, decently compensated, but I haven't received a pay bump in 18 months (and not really sure if or when I will get my next one).

I am interviewing with a company and I anticipate a job offer next week; probably in the range of a 8-10% above what I currently make.

I still like and appreciate my current job enough that I would want to go back to them with any job offer I have  to use it as ...well...a "conversation piece".

Anybody have any experience taking a competing offer back to a current employer? What was your experience like?

[ooeei]

Hey guys, got a situation that I thought this thread would find interesting.

And I need you advice.

I have been with my current company for 4 years, decently compensated, but I haven't received a pay bump in 18 months (and not really sure if or when I will get my next one).

I am interviewing with a company and I anticipate a job offer next week; probably in the range of a 8-10% above what I currently make.

I still like and appreciate my current job enough that I would want to go back to them with any job offer I have  to use it as ...well...a "conversation piece".

Anybody have any experience taking a competing offer back to a current employer? What was your experience like?

I don't have any experience with it, but generally the advice is "Don't do it!"

Basically you're threatening them to help you or you'll leave.  Even if it works, who do you think is going to be first on the chopping block during the next time they need to downsize?  Other possible consequences are them "making up" the raise by withholding raises from you in the future when other people may get them.  "Well Overflow already got that raise last June, he doesn't need another one in February when everyone else gets it."

The ONLY time I'd consider doing that is in a small close knit business where you can be very open and honest with the owner.  "I seriously do love working here, but I can't turn down a $10k raise when I haven't had a raise here in 2 years.  Can you at least meet me in the middle?"

This situation is why it's important to ask for a raise during your yearly review or whatever is the appropriate time, when you want it.  If you want to stay at the company, ask for a raise before job hunting, that way you have a fair comparison.

[Overflow]

Hey guys, got a situation that I thought this thread would find interesting.

And I need you advice.

I have been with my current company for 4 years, decently compensated, but I haven't received a pay bump in 18 months (and not really sure if or when I will get my next one).

I am interviewing with a company and I anticipate a job offer next week; probably in the range of a 8-10% above what I currently make.

I still like and appreciate my current job enough that I would want to go back to them with any job offer I have  to use it as ...well...a "conversation piece".

Anybody have any experience taking a competing offer back to a current employer? What was your experience like?

I don't have any experience with it, but generally the advice is "Don't do it!"

Basically you're threatening them to help you or you'll leave.  Even if it works, who do you think is going to be first on the chopping block during the next time they need to downsize?  Other possible consequences are them "making up" the raise by withholding raises from you in the future when other people may get them.  "Well Overflow already got that raise last June, he doesn't need another one in February when everyone else gets it."

The ONLY time I'd consider doing that is in a small close knit business where you can be very open and honest with the owner.  "I seriously do love working here, but I can't turn down a $10k raise when I haven't had a raise here in 2 years.  Can you at least meet me in the middle?"

This situation is why it's important to ask for a raise during your yearly review or whatever is the appropriate time, when you want it.  If you want to stay at the company, ask for a raise before job hunting, that way you have a fair comparison.

Good thoughts. I certainly don't want to approach them in a threatening way, but I have a feeling it would be really hard for it to NOT come across that way.

Its a smaller company, and I do have good relationships with all of the upper management and CEO. So it kinda falls into the situation you described.

I don't have an "annual review" any more, so unfortunately there is not natural time to bring up compensation.

[ooeei]

Hey guys, got a situation that I thought this thread would find interesting.

And I need you advice.

I have been with my current company for 4 years, decently compensated, but I haven't received a pay bump in 18 months (and not really sure if or when I will get my next one).

I am interviewing with a company and I anticipate a job offer next week; probably in the range of a 8-10% above what I currently make.

I still like and appreciate my current job enough that I would want to go back to them with any job offer I have  to use it as ...well...a "conversation piece".

Anybody have any experience taking a competing offer back to a current employer? What was your experience like?

I don't have any experience with it, but generally the advice is "Don't do it!"

Basically you're threatening them to help you or you'll leave.  Even if it works, who do you think is going to be first on the chopping block during the next time they need to downsize?  Other possible consequences are them "making up" the raise by withholding raises from you in the future when other people may get them.  "Well Overflow already got that raise last June, he doesn't need another one in February when everyone else gets it."

The ONLY time I'd consider doing that is in a small close knit business where you can be very open and honest with the owner.  "I seriously do love working here, but I can't turn down a $10k raise when I haven't had a raise here in 2 years.  Can you at least meet me in the middle?"

This situation is why it's important to ask for a raise during your yearly review or whatever is the appropriate time, when you want it.  If you want to stay at the company, ask for a raise before job hunting, that way you have a fair comparison.

Good thoughts. I certainly don't want to approach them in a threatening way, but I have a feeling it would be really hard for it to NOT come across that way.

Its a smaller company, and I do have good relationships with all of the upper management and CEO. So it kinda falls into the situation you described.

I don't have an "annual review" any more, so unfortunately there is not natural time to bring up compensation.

If that's the case, I'd bring it up without mentioning the new job.  Talk to your boss about it, mention that you've been thinking about it for awhile.  Give them reasons why you should get a bump, and an amount you want.  If they give you a bunch of reasons why they can't do it say something like "I get that, and I know it's not your call (if talking to your manager who may be getting a "no" from higher up), I just want you to know I'm not happy with this outcome."  Obviously this all depends on your relationship with your boss.

In my recent negotiation they came back and said because of corporate they couldn't give me more vacation blah blah, and I said something similar to that.  That day at 530 my boss called me at home and said the big boss would be meeting with me the next week to talk about what they could do, and I ended up getting a raise.  If I hadn't made a little bit of a stink about it and accepted the "No" with a smile, I don't think it would've happened.

[BayAreaFrugal]

I asked for one back in December when I switched to a new role in my company. I was told that company policy is not to do salary adjustments for lateral moves. My new job is about 20x more work than my old one, despite being equal in the eyes of HR, so I'll be asking for a raise again this review cycle.