Pay Rise / Performance review in IT

PSG1919

I have my performance review coming up. I work as an Application Support Analyst. I've been in the company 2 and half years. I have my IT degree and my original salary was 22k. After my first year review, this rose to 25k. Within the last year and a half I feel I have improved and have got in involved in a project (essentially working as an assistant PM, which involved going on trips to the UK). This as well as doing my usual App Support role and taking on more responsibility. So my question is below:

1. Would I be "entitled" to a raise? If so, how much should I be looking for (provided they discuss salaries and ask me what figure I was realistically looking at)? I feel 25k is relatively low considering I have 2 and half years experience now, am taking on more responsibility, doing more work and the going rate for this role is anywhere up to 35k in some places.

Would like to hear your thoughts or advice.

Thanks!

Kinet1c

If you're review is a month or so away, I'd brush up your CV and go do some interviews. This will give you an idea of what's out there, how much your perceived value is and if you get an offer, some leverage come pay review time.

PSG1919

Its within the next few days unfortunately. Thing is, believe it or not, I actually like my job. Just wondering where I stand in regards salary. But thanks for your reply!

Phoebas

You clearly feel that you're worth more then you're getting so you should ask for a pay rise.
Think of a number that is a bit higher than what you think they might give (but no so high that it sounds ridiculous) and ask for that amount.

You can't expect your employer to value you if you don't value yourself.

Hollister11

I think 35k is reasonable.
In IT experience Is key. 2 1/2 year IMO should be getting 30k+

PSG1919

Jeez, would ya really be looking at 35k? My initial thinking is 29k, but taking 28k as the minimum.

Also, I started in March. Reviews are meant to be in June. I'm going to ask for the increase (if there is one!) to be back-dated. Maybe not to March, but to June anyway (i.e. from June '14 to now). Would this be fair, yeah?

InReality

I'd say 28/29 is realistic.
I don't think getting a 10k jump as a pay rise is - you might get that in a new job but that's a very different senario.
I'm not sure about the back dating - I can't remember if that was the norm when I worked in the private sector or not.

PSG1919

InReality wrote: »

I'd say 28/29 is realistic.
I don't think getting a 10k jump as a pay rise is - you might get that in a new job but that's a very different senario.
I'm not sure about the back dating - I can't remember if that was the norm when I worked in the private sector or not.

Yeah I know, 35k is defintely too much! Just putting it into perspective with other companies as I saw 1 or 2 advertising that. Think I'll stick with 28/29 and go with the backdating till June (give it a shot anyway!).

Manach

Offhand, there are a number of agencies that give salary expectations. Even taking with a pinch of salt, they should provide a ball park figure.

Elessar

You are definitely worth more than 25k with 2.5 years experience! I would look for 30k at least (hell I work in app support and am on more than that with less experience!!). Worse they can do is say no. If they come back with a lower figure, explain why you think you are worth more and try to negotiate some non-monetary benefits like extra holidays, more flexible working hours, health insurance etc. Strike that, you are worth more than that!

If they won't budge, or their offer is laughable, start looking around for a new job. I can guarantee you you will find employment that will pay more than you are currently on with the experience you have, and quite handily too. In fact it's quite common for younger IT workers to move around jobs to increase pay levels. Quite often you have to.

EDIT: OP, take a look at this 2014 salary survey from Morgan Mckinley - someone with 3 years of experience in App support should be on 40k in Dublin! And remember these figures are conservative!

http://www.morganmckinley.ie/article/it-2014-salary-benefits-guide

Best of luck and let us know how you get on!

L.Jenkins

The question is, and I don't want to take this off topic, is a Multinational, Large Company or Start up you work for? I worked in Development with a Start up in Longford, I had 3+ years experience and was on a wage of 30k per year. It's not just what they can and can't afford to pay you, it's value for money and what you aim to do for your wage.

Irish_Elect_Eng

A few points:

• Entitled is not a word that I would use when talking to an employer about any benefit, it is a hot-button word with negative connotations.
• Experience alone s no reason to give anybody more money. An experienced poor or average worker is still just a poor or average worker.
• Another poster mentioned what type of company you work for, educate yourself on the company culture around raises and promotions, know the game that you are playing before making your move.
• Ask for a raise if you need a small increase.
• Ask for a salary adjustment to meet market rates if you are looking to catch-up with going rates, don't call it a raise. Raises are lined to performance in peoples heads.
• You may need to ask for a promotion if you want a large raise.
• You may need to move if you want a very big raise
• Wage rises significantly above the average for the year are a hard sell in multinationals without a significant achievement to hang it off. Remember in bigger companies raises need to be signed off up the chain and a big raise needs a big story.
• At your review before mentioning raises ensure that you have clearly communicated the benefit that you bring to the company, how you make the company money. And how you are bringing in more benefit year on year. Speak about what you plan to do next year and get it clear in their heads that they will benefit more next year and they need to keep you happy.
• While linked,address performance first and compensation once you have your rating.

PSG1919

Thanks everyone for the feedback, greatly appreciated!

We're a small company in that we have ~30 employees but, we have lots of clients and are doing well.

You're certainly right in terms of stating what you have to offer, that's the angle they take when doing the reviews. I have this in mind and am going to tell them what I have done in the last year and a half and what I plan to do in the future. I just hope they deem what I say and have done deserves an increase.

Not that I'm going to bring this up but it does annoy me - there are other colleagues in the same role as me and have been here the same time. One in particular is earning 1k less than me and is honestly so lazy and unprofessional. I certainly feel I bring a LOT more to the company than him and should be earning quite more than him. Just thought I'd add this in for perspective.

PSG1919

I'm delighted ! Had the review. Discussed the whole strengths and weaknesses. They acknowledged that I stepped it up in the last year and a half. They said their policy is to reward each individual based on their performance and that there is no "standard increase" for everyone. At the end of the review they offered me a 5k increase that bumps me up to 30k! Delighted

PSG1919

Can't seem to edit that last post. Forgot to thank everyone for their replies, they were really helpful, cheers !