HELP! Asking for a Raise??

[littlebitshe]

How do you ask for a raise? I've never done it, but I'm coming up on my year review and I'm wanting to ask for 7K more than what I currently make. I'm a Software Engineer (Software Developer). The raise would be roughly a 14% increase.... I know big BUT I'm pretty low for the average salary in my occupation. I asked for this amount when I started and they gave me 7K less. This was fine with me in the beginning, but now I need the extra cash.

Any suggestions on how to go about asking for such a large raise?

 

[SweetErika]

I'm sure there are some really good articles out there on this. Have you looked yet?

My strategy would be to list out the reasons I should get the raise, practice making my case confidently, then schedule a meeting with the manager.

Some of your reasons might be:
- The marked cost of living increase (if you can find a specific average for your area, that'd be great)
- The industry average for this position and my level of experience, skills and education is $___.
- You've been with the company for a year and want to stay
- You're a good employee (if you've missed no/few days of work, and been on time, give specifics; or maybe you average 12 hour days, often stay nights and weekends, etc.?)
- Point to specifics regarding productivity and accomplishments, if possible. Also, if you have accomplishments planned/goals that go above your job description for the coming year, you could highlight those.


Beyond that, I think the main thing is to go in very confident and assume they're giving it to you. Like you said, you deserve it! If you believe in you, and have facts to back it up, they're likely to agree. Stress the idea that you like it there, know they treat their team well, and it's beneficial for both of you to keep hardworking, loyal employees long-term (not as a threat, but a reminder keeping you happy is best for them).

If they make you a counteroffer, try to work out a compromise. For example, perhaps they'll say there's no way management will go for 14% now, but they'd do 10%. You could ask for that, with a 4% raise in 3-6 months.

I would write a clear letter with all of this (particularly any numbers/specifics) and take it to the meeting, in case they need to consider it or make the case to a higher manager.

I hope that helps, and best of luck to you!

 

[PertPerth]

SweetErika has great advice as always. Confidence in yourself is vital!
You could also say that you have been offered a job somewhere else (with the 7k increase in pay) and that you'd prefer to stay working for your current employer.
Good luck

 

[littlebitshe]

Thank you both for your insight. I just need to prepare my case before I go in there and lay it all out for them.... easier said then done, but I can do it

Thanks again!

 

[SubNebGuy]

What are the over devs making that you work with? is it in the same range?

smaller companies can't afford to pay out the ass. 14% for an annual raise seems outrageous unless you coded the software that made the company a butt load of cash this year.

Otherwise, they should be giving you annual raises, somewhere from 1%-7% based on your performance. 1-2% means you're not doing a great job...but they don't feel like firing you. 5% and up means they value you quite a bit.

Good luck, but don't shoot yourself in the foot. 14% raises are called promotions...not annual reviews

 

[Carnevil9]

Good luck, but don't get your hopes up. Employers pay just enough so that you won't quit, and employees work just hard enough so they don't get fired. It's the way things work. Don't kid yourself that you "deserve" a raise, because it just doesn't work that way.

Your best approach to making more money is to get a job offer elsewhere that pays more. Then your current employer may match it (or they may not), or you can go to the new one.

 

[Cathleen]

What are the over devs making that you work with? is it in the same range?

smaller companies can't afford to pay out the ass. 14% for an annual raise seems outrageous unless you coded the software that made the company a butt load of cash this year.

Otherwise, they should be giving you annual raises, somewhere from 1%-7% based on your performance. 1-2% means you're not doing a great job...but they don't feel like firing you. 5% and up means they value you quite a bit.

Good luck, but don't shoot yourself in the foot. 14% raises are called promotions...not annual reviews

Good info, very smart advice. Research salary ranges for your area and national too, everything in between might help too. The economy is a big factor at the moment. Is there a company policy about reviews and raises, eg a 6% raise is the cap? How is the company doing? Can you find out how sales are, future projects, etc.?

A performance review isn't just a time for 'them' to tell you how they see your work, it's a time for you to indicate your thoughts too. Show where you've stepped up for added responsibilities, even if it wasn't given to you, being willing is a plus. Let them know where you've gone above and beyond - assuming you have.

Being with a company for just one year isn't a big point for you, it's good but don't hang your hat on it. However, they have just spent a lot of money getting you into their mix and they don't want to lose their investment. Just don't push it because you're not in the driver's seat with just a year. If you like the company, the work, the people, let that be known. You are valuable but you're replaceable too.

I wouldn't advise telling them you've had an offer elsewhere because you may be asked to vacate that day. Know your company policies, tendencies and precedents, do not shoot yourself in the foot just because you didn't know something.

It's your time to sell yourself again. Go for it yes but use your head -- if you want to stay employed.

 

[subwannabe]

all good advice

 

[VelvetDarkness]

If you're asking for a raise, you've gotta be wearing your business balls. Some good advice there.

 

[littlebitshe]

Update

So, today I had my 1 yr review. Beforehand I had to fill out a questionnaire on how satisfied I was with my job and any subjects that I wanted to talk about during my review. I mentioned in there that I would like a salary increase and I gave reasons why I thought I deserved it. I didn't ask for a specific amount, however. I had decided that I wasn't going to ask for a specific amount but to let them come to me with an amount and I could negotiate for some more if I wasn't happy with it.

My review went VERY well and they gave me a 9% salary increase I was very satisfied with that and grateful. Especially with all these companies out there laying people off and struggling financially.

I just wanted to let everyone know how it went... Thanks for all the help from everyone!

 

[coastal-boy]

congrats

 

[infinity706]

So, today I had my 1 yr review. Beforehand I had to fill out a questionnaire on how satisfied I was with my job and any subjects that I wanted to talk about during my review. I mentioned in there that I would like a salary increase and I gave reasons why I thought I deserved it. I didn't ask for a specific amount, however. I had decided that I wasn't going to ask for a specific amount but to let them come to me with an amount and I could negotiate for some more if I wasn't happy with it.

My review went VERY well and they gave me a 9% salary increase I was very satisfied with that and grateful. Especially with all these companies out there laying people off and struggling financially.

I just wanted to let everyone know how it went... Thanks for all the help from everyone!

Well, it wasn't the 14% you were hoping for, but that's still a rather large raise. Congratulations. Afterall, I didn't even get a raise last year. Of course, I was only making less than a third of what you do, so I walked out.

 

[bambikiller]

I know it's too late but if anyone eles is interested here is my 2 cents.
When I have people ask me for a raise I say NO.
But when they deserve it most of them ask for it in the wrong way and I tell them they are.
I tell them I don't care about their personal problems of why they need a raise I ask them what they have learned working here. And how they have improved their work to make me more money.
If you don't improve your performance and or the companies performance then why do you deserve a raise.
So when anyone of you out there asks for a raise, tell your boss what you did and do for the compainy to make it more sucessfull.

 

[silverwhisper]

littlebits: that's awesome--congratulations on stating your case & getting the desired result! you did a smart thing by not specifying a number of any stripe--well done! :>

ed

 

[littlebitshe]

littlebits: that's awesome--congratulations on stating your case & getting the desired result! you did a smart thing by not specifying a number of any stripe--well done! :>

ed

Thanks Babes! I thought (and stressed) about it for a while... Figured it was best not to specify knowing they would take care of me. I'm sure glad I was right

 

[Cathleen]

Congrats! I'm so glad it went well - very well. Thanks for sharing the good news.