How to ask for a raise in this situation?

Goduznt Xzst

Ok I really need to ask for a raise.

I'm out of college about 2 years and I was lucky enough to land a job within walking distance of where I live with flexi time also.

I knew someone in the company who got my CV to the top of the pile, and I managed to get a decent position as a systems administrator. However the pay was fairly low but I needed experience so I took the job.

A year and half later I've received one pay raise of about 4% which really isn't a lot, especially considering how low my wages where when I started.

Numerous recruitment agencies have been calling, a few every week, and all of them seem quite shocked at how low my wages are. I did my own research of salary surveys and I am getting very low wages for my position. The friend that got me in the door has since left because he himself couldn't stand the wages, however he never asked for a raise.

This is a fairly small company and the CEO was in recently giving a speech about stuff like "weathering the storm" and the coming recession. A few people have left and there doesn't seem to be any interviews going on to replace them. I don't know whether this strengthens my position or weakens it. As the work load hasn't really decreased rather the work these other individuals where doing has now been spread out amongst the rest of us. I have quite a few duties that only I am responsible for so nobody else is trained in them.

I want to ask for a raise but I really don't know how to go about it so any help and advice would be greatly appreciated.

First how do I ask for a meeting? Do I just send an email to the relevant person stating "I wish to have a meeting in regards to my current wages"?

What should I bring with me? Should I print out salary surveys and bring those?

How much of a raise should I ask for? 10%?

What should I do if he says no? Just go back to work for lower wages? I do like everything else about this job, the only drawback currently is the wages.

I'll rep+ for all advice given

feylya

Given that you have 2 years sys admin experience, there's a number of jobs out there with a reasonable wage so if they don't want to pay you better, leave.. If you're on less than €40k, I wouldn't consider 10% to be unreasonable. An email requesting a salary review would be fine.

Of course, I may be talking out my arse with the above.

Goduznt Xzst

My only worry is that they are obviously not replacing people who've quit for a reason. They haven't fired anyone yet though.

I have been offered higher wages and interviews for companies closer to the city center but I'd take slightly lower wages here as I feel the difference would be offset when factoring commute time and travel expenses. Some jobs have been offering me about a 30% increase in wages. Should I ask for this here?

kayos

Goduznt Xzst wrote: »

My only worry is that they are obviously not replacing people who've quit for a reason. They haven't fired anyone yet though.

I have been offered higher wages and interviews for companies closer to the city center but I'd take slightly lower wages here as I feel the difference would be offset when factoring commute time and travel expenses. Some jobs have been offering me about a 30% increase in wages. Should I ask for this here?

Hmm I swaer this was up under another user name 2 seconds ago... dual accounting much?

Any way go to you manager and ask for a meeting. Dicuss with him your low salary compared to market rates. And with the current rising costs in terms of living(oil, esb,gas, food etc etc) you would like to have your salary looked at as you are being paid well below your market value.

In the mean time go interview for one of these jobs that pays more and see if you actually have what they want and will actually pay you the amounts your looking for. Then when your current employer thinks you will still stay without a pay increase, call their bluff and take the other job.

leeroybrown

As kayos says you're the one with the options. A lot of graduates find that they need to move on to improve their salary/job after about two years. From a CV point of view it's the ideal time to start thinking about a better job with more responsibility especially if you're stuck on a low grad salary plus 4%.

As for negotiating, you need to point out that despite having nearly two years experience you're still effectively on a low graduate salary and nowhere near the market rate for someone with far more experience. Have a think about what your duties are at work and be able to show how you have improved over time and taken on more responsibility.

I'd guess that the company will throw out the hard times story and either offer a small pay rise or say that they'll review your salary in six months time. They might well suggest a list of areas that you need to improve in. If replacing you will be awkward and expensive they might offer you a bit more but I'd say that you've got no chance of the kind of improvement you'll get by moving especially given that the company will be pushing the hard times line with all staff.

Saint_Mel

Is there a Salary Review date or anything mentioned in your contract?

IMHO, you should go to the interviews, sus out the work/commute/people/money/benefits etc ... and then if you are offered a job you are interested in then you can go to your manager and be fairly decent about it by saying that you like working there etc but your not fully happy with the pay situation and you've been offered €x with another company.

At least that way it puts the ball in the managers court to either give you a pay rise or tell you that theres no more money in the pot. If you get a pay rise, happy days, if theres no more money in the pot, well then you have another job offer sorted.

the_syco

If the other job is offering more than €1638 of an increase, go for it. The figure is 52 * €31.50 (weekly bus and rail ticket), which is a possible max for commuting.

As for the interviews, do them. Then when you get offered, ask the current bos for X amount of money, and see what they day. As you seem to be happy with the job apart from that, the payrise may suit you.

If the payrise is just one of the many things bugging you about the job, then you should look at the other jobs, and weigh up to see if they are beteter for you?

AARRRGH

Can you tell us how much you are earning?

Does your job offer you a lot of hands on experience which a larger company might shield you from?

Have they paid for any training?

swiss

I would say you certainly can't hurt your chances by taking those interviews. At the very worst, you will get an idea of what the going market rate is for professionals with your level of experience and get some experience in selling yourself - which won't hurt when it comes to looking for a pay rise. You can also go to your boss armed with those typical salaries to strengthen your negotiating position. I would also recommend you don't threaten to quit if you don't get your raise unless you are prepared to really do it (and preferably have something else lined up).

You do, however, have to look at all the variables before deciding whether you should stay or go. Obviously the salary is a big consideration but you should also think of the work environment. For example, are you in a large corporate environment, or a small business (both have advantages and disadvantages)? Would you get better and more varied experienced in a new role as opposed to your current role? Is there much opportunity for career progression in your current company? Do you get training opportunities (for a MCSE, CCNA etc)? You should consider any other benefits or perks you get in this role versus another, for example pension, holidays, health insurance - it all adds up.