Career Thread

[Sloane Ranger]

So at this point in time I am doing a graduate scheme and I am looking at ways to achieve my career goals. I am very intrigued by how people navigate different career obstacles such as successfully negotiating a payrise.


More than half (54%) of women in the UK are unhappy with their salary, yet 57% of us have never asked for a pay rise, according to new research.


Chief Executive Heather Jackson shares her top tips for negotiating a pay rise

There are few more nerve-wracking moments in life than asking for a pay rise, but according to Heather Jackson, Founder and Chief Executive of The Two Percent Club (a high-level women’s network with the objective of increasing the proportion of women operating at the highest level in business) asking for a raise doesn’t have to hurt.

First and foremost, be aware of what you have achieved, be confident and believe in yourself. Ask for a meeting with your line manager, and go prepared:

1. Be Prepared
Are pay rises awarded at certain times of the year? Are they linked to your performance review? The answers to these questions will vary from company to company, but generally you will find the information in your contract/handbook. If in doubt, ask HR or your line manager. Use the answers to these questions to make sure you ask for a pay rise at the right time.

2. Consider working towards a more senior role

If you are happy to take on more responsibility in order to get a pay rise, speak to your line manager about possible promotion opportunities that may be on offer and discuss with them how you might work towards moving into a more senior role.

3. Create a positive development plan
Once you have the feedback from your line manager as well as their support, come up with a positive development plan and stick to it. The majority of companies will set such a plan for you via annual performance reviews (linked to appraisals). Generally, your first review of the year will be to discuss the key objectives for you to achieve within the following 12 months, and a further meeting at the six month interval will review how you are working against your objectives and ensure you are on track. The six month meeting should also reflect any support/training you may need to achieve these goals. Your final review at the end of the year may well tie into your pay review. Although it is good practice to follow this appraisal/review process, if you find out your company doesn’t have anything formal in place, there’s no reason why you can’t request a review.

4. Review your job description
If you have taken on a more senior role naturally, and have not yet been financially recognized but feel you should be, make a note of what you are doing over and above your job description, showing key initiatives you have developed to improve business or save the company money. For example, if you have played a big part in bringing in a new client, or suggested a cheaper supplier, keep a record of this and mention it when asking for a pay review.

5. Do your research
Get feedback from key individuals that may back your case. For example, there may be times when you have had a thank you e-mail or if you have particularly helped another manager, keep note of it. It is also important to collate salary information on comparable jobs. There are many salary checkers available online, but do make sure you only look at your own specific sector. Finally, salary information is confidential so remember to be discreet – don’t demand this information from other members of your team!

Once you’ve collected all this information and feel ready to approach a pay review, ask for a meeting with your line manager. If you feel uncomfortable speaking to your line manager, request a meeting with HR in the first instance.

 

[Sloane Ranger]

Have any of you done this before ? What was your experience like ? I have yet to do it but i am planning ahead.

 

[Sloane Ranger]

When negotiating the amount say this…

• “I’ve done some research, and it looks like the typical pay for somebody at my level is ...”
  
• “According to salarygraph.co.uk [source of your choosing], the standard rate is ...” (Makes it about market rates, not what you’re worth. Walk into the meeting well researched.)
  
• “I typically get ...” (Useful because it provides a frame of reference.)

When making your case:

• “I feel great about what we accomplished this year.” (Such a team player, aren’t you!) “Based on [insert your best evidence for why you deserve it], I’d like to propose ...” (Still nice but to the point.)
  
• The standard inflation rate is ... Based on my performance over [period of time], I’d like to discuss an increase of ...” (Great, you’ve done your research.)
  
• If you feel you are doing the work of someone at a higher pay grade than you, make that your basis of negotiation. “I’m a second-year associate doing the work of a third year. I’d like to make my compensation commensurate with my output.” Remember: Keep emotions out of it. Stay data driven and fact based.

When it starts to get heated:

• “I’m confident we can get to a place we both feel good about.” (Collaborative, not confrontational.)
  
• “I think we are close.” (Stays positive and keeps everyone engaged.)

Don't say this…

• “I can’t afford to live in ...” (Your boss doesn’t care.)
• “I have student loans.” (Ditto.)
• “I’m getting married.” (Nope.)
• “I’m trying to get pregnant.” (Noooo!)
• “I’ve been working overtime.” (We all work hard.)
• “This is what I want and I’ll take nothing less.” (Negotiation is about compromise.)
• “I need ...” (OK, but do you really need it? Try “I’d like” or “I propose”.)
• “I’m sorry, I just want ...” (Do not – repeat: do not! – apologise for talking about money.)
• “I haven’t had a raise/asked for anything since ...” (Complaining will get you nowhere fast. If you really haven’t asked for a raise in five years, mention this after you’ve made the case based on your work.)
• “But I’m doing the work of three people.” (If that’s true, then kudos, you’re killin’ it. But try framing this as an accomplishment instead of a complaint. You need a raise to be made “commensurate” with your workload.)

What to say if they say…

• “This is higher than what we’ve budgeted for this role.”
  “I understand. I also believe I bring more to the table than the average candidate. [Insert how].”
  
• “We don’t think you’re ready for that role.”
  “Help me understand what I can do to be ready.”
  
• We are thrilled to offer you (gut-punchingly lower amount than what you wanted)!”
  “Thank you so much. I’m really excited about the opportunity, but ...”
  “What I’d need to feel comfortable accepting this role is ...”
  “If you’re able to match ..., I’d be eager to accept right now.”
  “I know that the typical salary range for this role is ..., and I’m really looking to at least match that figure. Are you able to get to that level?”
  
• After an initial round of negotiation: “Unfortunately, we can only go as high as ...”
  Stay silent for long enough to take a breath. Then say, “I appreciate your flexibility in trying to make this work. I really want this job, so I’m hoping we can see what we can do to make both sides comfortable.” (No, you’re not offering a back rub, you’re talking about nonmonetary items like stock, flexibility, benefits.) “How flexible are you with [insert benefit]?”
  “I understand, and I am eager to accept. I’d like to set up a timeline to revisit the terms again in ... months. Is that something you’re open to?” (Sets a concrete framework for a potential bump.)
  
• After multiple rounds of negotiation: “I’m sorry, but we can only offer ...”
  Ask them what they can do to make up the difference. (Again: stock, flexibility, benefits, something else.)
  “I understand. What if we set up a timeline to reassess in ... months?

 

[Ciyaalka Xaafada]

Would help you If I had a high school diploma

 

[kickz]

Competing offers is the way to go, last salary review I had another company offer lined up. Makes things much quicker.

You aren't begging, you are demanding and should be in control

 

[Sloane Ranger]

Would help you If I had a high school diploma

I'd read these type of articles before I even went to university. It will come in handy one day.

 

[Ciyaalka Xaafada]

I'd read these type of articles before I even went to university. It will come in handy one day.

I cant read sry

 

[Sloane Ranger]

Competing offers is the way to go, last salary review I had another company offer lined up. Makes things much quicker.

You aren't begging, you are demanding and should be in control

Exactly. It's important to take control over your own destiny. If the employer doesn't believe in supporting your ambitions then plenty of others will. Why be loyal to a company that won't even pay you your worth. I'm looking for a new job if I don't get what I want.

 

[Sloane Ranger]

@Desert Flower @Ghengis Kaarhis @Sophisticate

 

[Xaruun]

Apparently you can get easy raises by switching companies and using your experience to obtain higher pay. I hear about this a lot.

 

[QueenofKings]

(Don’t judge me but) I saw a career tiktok women who said when companies ask you what’s your salary expectation, respond by asking them what’s their budget for this role.

I would add if they say they don’t know yet, maybe you can give feedback on that once they do.

 

[Sloane Ranger]

Apparently you can get easy raises by switching companies and using your experience to obtain higher pay. I hear about this a lot.

Absolutely. It's important to know what other companies offer for the same job and to keep an eye on that. I've heard of people countering their bosses with this info and demanding that if the company doesn't match the other offer that they will walk.

 

[Sloane Ranger]

(Don’t judge me but) I saw a career tiktok women who said when companies ask you what’s your salary expectation, respond by asking them what’s their budget for this role.

I would add if they say they don’t know yet, maybe you can give feedback on that once they do.

Also do your research. Find out what people in your job got in their pay raise and demand more.

 

[Sloane Ranger]

Apparently you can get easy raises by switching companies and using your experience to obtain higher pay. I hear about this a lot.

I've heard that people lose £4k in the UK annually by not switching companies.

 

[Louis Vuitton Don]

If you can vacation twice a year and pay all your bills comfortably, your already better than 99% of the world. Keep things in perspective

 

[Sloane Ranger]

If you can vacation twice a year and pay all your bills comfortably, your already better than 99% of the world. Keep things in perspective

Thanks bro I am very humbled by the opportunities I have and want to keep improving myself. I started off working minimum wage jobs as a student. I've come along way since then.

 

[Zoobear]

Never be afraid to ask questions. It's better to spend a couple of extra minutes asking questions to clearly understand it than to look foolish and spend hours or days fixing it.

Grow your credit the right way. Get a CC never use more than 30% of your limit, use it for small payments like cellphone, gas, electric and etc make sure to pay it off every single month. Do it for a couple of years and you will have excellent credit.

Your access to credit is more important than capital in this society.