Am i entitled to a pay rise?

noeld932

Hi folks,

I just want to get your thoughts on whether I should be due a pay rise or not.

I have been employed with a small IT software company for the past 9 months. Although, I was doing work experience with them 2 months before I was employed, so I'm with them 10 months.

Anyways, when I was employed, I was put on a salary of 19k.
8 months later and I'm still on that salary.
The amount of work I have done for the company so far is phenomenal.
I feel like I'm underpayed at this stage, I have gained a tonne of experience and feel that my salary should be bumped up a good bit from 19k.

What do you guys think?
I'm a software developer and I'm 20 years old.

Thanks folks!

tagoona

To be honest, you're still relatively inexperienced.
From my understanding for starting salaries, 19k does seem a little low.
To be honest though, you're only worth what someone is willing to pay.
Are your skills in high demand at the moment?
what education do you have? Bachelors degree, masters ?
Be aware though, the company is giving you time to gain your experience.

Normal practice however is that a yearly review is conducted, where such things as your performance and pay can be discussed.
Bring evidence of all you've done, market rates for 1 years experience, but be prepared for a rebuttal with the current financial position of the company.
Having a job offer from another company is a strong bargaining position.


It's a negotiation.
If you're not happy, you may just have to leave.

connundrum

Dear Boss,

I feel that I am entitled to a pay rise as I have been here for x months.

I feel that I deserve a pay rise due to the amount of good work I've produced of the last x months.

Kind regards

x

doolox

Keep a record of everything you do to add value to the Company.
Make a list of things you do that nobody else in the company can do.
Become an expert on some aspect of the companys operations.
Invite the manager to apply for an outsider to quote for doing the same work with the same timeframes and availability as you or do this yourself and see what the real cost of your input could be if you were not employed by the company.

This will give BOTH of you some idea of your real worth to the company.

If your boss is anyway reasonable a data driven, fact based approach to your request for a pay rise will be met with success.

Ray Palmer

Nobody is entitled to a pay rise. Even when people are striking about pay increments it is a specific agreement involving all staff not generally performance related.

I would take this as an opportunity to learn and improve your skill till you can go somewhere else and get a paid more.

I find it hard to believe a junior developer of 20 with less than a years experience is doing "phenomenal" work. Has your boss said this or is it how you feel?

L.Jenkins

I don't think many employers will give a raise on the basis of work done, but what an employee will do.

Gambas

noeld932 wrote: »

Hi folks,

I just want to get your thoughts on whether I should be due a pay rise or not.

I have been employed with a small IT software company for the past 9 months. Although, I was doing work experience with them 2 months before I was employed, so I'm with them 10 months.

Anyways, when I was employed, I was put on a salary of 19k.
8 months later and I'm still on that salary.
The amount of work I have done for the company so far is phenomenal.
I feel like I'm underpayed at this stage, I have gained a tonne of experience and feel that my salary should be bumped up a good bit from 19k.

What do you guys think?
I'm a software developer and I'm 20 years old.

Thanks folks!

The fact that it is a small company probably works against you. Try for the pay rise but be prepared to look elsewhere would be my advice.

touts

Would you get more in another job? Is yes leave. If no stay.

Aswerty

I started as a developer at 22k three years back. As far as I was concerned it was pathetically low but a foot in the door and all that. Personally I'd say just get the experience you need before finding employment elsewhere. Your salary could easily jump by 50% doing that (assuming you do have 'decent' experience). When I made the move after about 2 years, to my current job, my salary went up around 70%. Less than a year on it went up another 10%. The ceiling for a developer is pretty high if you know what you are doing.

blindsider

Do you have a degree in BIS/Computer Science etc?

Did they train you in whatever language you're coding in?

Is your code of a high standard? Prove it!

What did the company agree to do re Performance Reviews etc when you joined? Have they kept their side of the bargain? Have you?

If you haven't had a review yet, ask for one. You should have a structured review with 30 days notice. Prepare for this meeting like an interview. Sell your self. Get sth in writing afterwards.

How many others in similar positions? Do you think they earn more? Are they better than you?

If you feel you're being screwed, look for another job - are you in a decent sized town/city? Would you move? If not, bite the bullet, get experience and re-think your options.

If you look for another job, try to get sth. with the best company available - if they think you're worth it, they'll train you - it's invaluable experience.

Best of luck!