Sightings | Alumni News
Career Matters
Asking for a Raise
Q. I’ve been working the same mid-level job for four years. My responsibilities have grown, but I’m getting only cost-of-living raises. It’s becoming harder to live on what I’m making.Any advice?
A. First, a caution, says Karen Kirchof, assistant dean for career services. When requesting a raise, never bring your financial needs to the table. Employers reward you for the value you bring to the organization, not because you need a new car.Document the activities that have earned you a raise: developing new business, clients or partnerships, streamlining processes in a way that saves the organization time or money, securing increased project funding.Your organization also may value the visibility it receives when you chair a professional society or board or write a newspaper column.
If you are asking for a raise without a promotion, keep in mind that you are unlikely to garner more than 3 to 5 percent of your current salary. If you have taken on additional responsibilities, your job description may be completely outdated.
Think ahead and arrange a meeting with your supervisor prior to your annual review. Bring an updated job description and a list of accomplishments to the meeting, along with a reasonable salary request. You can research salaries by looking at professional society statistics and job advertisements. Ask your boss for a decision within 2 to 3 weeks, and never use ultimatums.
If your request is turned down, find out what you need to do to get a raise in the future. You may need to add some skills to your portfolio or network more within the organization so that your work is more visible. If you decide to search for another job, keep in mind that you should evaluate the total compensation package—including medical benefits, retirement plan, onsite health club or day care. Your current position may be offering you more value than you realize.
Kirchof recommends the book Dynamite Salary Negotiations by Ron and Caryl Krannich,PhDs. And as always, feel free to contact the Office of Career Services for advice, at 919-613-8016.