4 answers
Esther Lapite
Clinical Psychology Doctoral Student
1
Answer
Poway, California
Asked
578 views
How would you go about asking for a pay raise based on your work experience, level of education, and skill set without risking your career?
although i have yet to be professionally hired, was wondering where I should drop the line to ask for a salary I feel is best fit in compensation for my line of work without coming off as arrogant, cocky, or prideful. When and how did you handle asking for more than your usual earning? #salary #askingformore #wages
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4 answers
Mike Asbery
Human Resources
1
Answer
Pleasanton, California
Updated
Mike’s Answer
This is a good question and one that many people are still unsure of well into their career! My advice is based on my personal experience and as a leader in the HR profession providing guidance to employees on this topic.
I agree with the previous responders that it is important to do your research. Luckily, there are many available resources online where you can learn about competitive market pay ranges for your position, level of experience and location. You can search sites such as LinkedIn jobs, Glassdoor, Salary.com and others to find pay range information. You might want to just do a Google search for your job and pay to see what other sites are available. You can also sign up for anonymous feedback sites like Blind where you'll see people sharing information on pay and offers in an anonymous format that might be helpful.
Once you understand what level of pay you should expect for you based on your role, experience and location, I suggest that you focus on the natural negotiation points that give you the best opportunity to get the pay you deserve. You're right in thinking that some ways of asking for money will be perceived more positively than others. You should know the best windows for you to raise the topic. The best opportunity is when you are considering an offer for a job. Many people are fearful of asking for what they deserve because they don't want to be passed up for the job if they demand too much. That can happen if you ask for pay that is unreasonable, but if you've done your research you can be more confident that what you're asking for is competitive. During the offer negotiation, make sure to share the pay range you want to have and avoid starting off with a lower estimate. You should expect that there will be negotiation in the offer process, so don't be afraid to set your initial pay expectations on the higher side of your range. Make sure to share that you want to be paid competitive to the market with your position when you give the recruiter or hiring manager your expected pay. It's much better to set the expectations on market pay vs on what you've been paid before (which when you're starting out is zero!). If you are new in career, don't get too concerned if you have to give in on a bit lower pay to get into a great company or an amazing job opportunity. Often times if you are in a job you love and you do a great job, you'll have more opportunities to make up for a lower salary later on. Once you've had a few years in the workforce, you should always try to get a competitive offer when you switch companies. Moving to a new company will be your best opportunity to get paid competitive to market, so take advantage of it.
Once you are in a company, I generally would suggest avoiding focusing too heavily on your pay or fairness of your pay vs. your position. Focus on building a reputation for doing really great work and being a great teammate. Your pay increase opportunities will come when you get promoted or when the company gives pay increases (usually one time per year). If you focus on doing a great job, the pay increases and promotions will usually follow. I have seen situations where people focus on pay without first focusing on building a reputation and those conversations do not generally go as they hope.
Also, I would suggest that you willingly accept promotions and increased responsibilities even if they do not come with pay increases. Your pay will catch up if you do a great job. In my experience, you'll move up in responsibility faster and in pay if you don't require that you formally get promotions or pay increases with each increase in responsibilities. Eventually, you'll want to see your pay match the roles you've grown into and if your manager is not recognizing that fact, you'll need to start having conversations about it. Usually that does not happen if you are focused on building a great reputation, doing excellent work and being a great teammate.
Hopefully this advice helps and good luck with your future career!
I agree with the previous responders that it is important to do your research. Luckily, there are many available resources online where you can learn about competitive market pay ranges for your position, level of experience and location. You can search sites such as LinkedIn jobs, Glassdoor, Salary.com and others to find pay range information. You might want to just do a Google search for your job and pay to see what other sites are available. You can also sign up for anonymous feedback sites like Blind where you'll see people sharing information on pay and offers in an anonymous format that might be helpful.
Once you understand what level of pay you should expect for you based on your role, experience and location, I suggest that you focus on the natural negotiation points that give you the best opportunity to get the pay you deserve. You're right in thinking that some ways of asking for money will be perceived more positively than others. You should know the best windows for you to raise the topic. The best opportunity is when you are considering an offer for a job. Many people are fearful of asking for what they deserve because they don't want to be passed up for the job if they demand too much. That can happen if you ask for pay that is unreasonable, but if you've done your research you can be more confident that what you're asking for is competitive. During the offer negotiation, make sure to share the pay range you want to have and avoid starting off with a lower estimate. You should expect that there will be negotiation in the offer process, so don't be afraid to set your initial pay expectations on the higher side of your range. Make sure to share that you want to be paid competitive to the market with your position when you give the recruiter or hiring manager your expected pay. It's much better to set the expectations on market pay vs on what you've been paid before (which when you're starting out is zero!). If you are new in career, don't get too concerned if you have to give in on a bit lower pay to get into a great company or an amazing job opportunity. Often times if you are in a job you love and you do a great job, you'll have more opportunities to make up for a lower salary later on. Once you've had a few years in the workforce, you should always try to get a competitive offer when you switch companies. Moving to a new company will be your best opportunity to get paid competitive to market, so take advantage of it.
Once you are in a company, I generally would suggest avoiding focusing too heavily on your pay or fairness of your pay vs. your position. Focus on building a reputation for doing really great work and being a great teammate. Your pay increase opportunities will come when you get promoted or when the company gives pay increases (usually one time per year). If you focus on doing a great job, the pay increases and promotions will usually follow. I have seen situations where people focus on pay without first focusing on building a reputation and those conversations do not generally go as they hope.
Also, I would suggest that you willingly accept promotions and increased responsibilities even if they do not come with pay increases. Your pay will catch up if you do a great job. In my experience, you'll move up in responsibility faster and in pay if you don't require that you formally get promotions or pay increases with each increase in responsibilities. Eventually, you'll want to see your pay match the roles you've grown into and if your manager is not recognizing that fact, you'll need to start having conversations about it. Usually that does not happen if you are focused on building a great reputation, doing excellent work and being a great teammate.
Hopefully this advice helps and good luck with your future career!
Jennifer Pasqualini
Vice President, Total Rewards
1
Answer
Denver, Colorado
Updated
Jennifer’s Answer
I suggest you do research on salary and pay for the jobs you are interested in pursuing. You can also get information from career centers at high schools and universities as well as online research. Don't be afraid to negotiate. Having data to back up your request will show that you are prepared and have thought through your request.
Dee Lyon
14
Answers
Hilliard, Ohio
Updated
Dee’s Answer
My recommendation is that you research salaries based on the job you're interested in and ask for a salary in that range based on your experience. If you have a lot of experience you can ask for a higher salary. Don't be afraid to negotiate.
Dee recommends the following next steps:
Toral Swiney
Work Force/Supervisor/Trainer/Associate
11
Answers
Phoenix, Arizona
Updated
Toral’s Answer
The very first thing is to know what the range is for the positions within most companies have a pay range, there are many useful sites to determine the min-max range for pay for a position(such as glass door for example) Then look at what qualifications they are looking for in the employee for that position. Once offered the position and salary if I felt it was lower than what I was hoping for based upon the range I would counter their offer with a higher one that is still within the range for the position and highlight areas that I exceed their qualifications. Be sure to practice negotiating with a friend before so it comes out more natural. An example of this would sound something like this.
“Thank you for sending over the job offer package for the Regional Sales Manager position. I am excited about the opportunity and would like to reiterate how grateful I am you’ve considered me for this role. I believe in your product and know I could help you drive even greater results.
However, before I accept your offer, I want to address the proposed salary.
As I shared during the interview process, I have more than twelve years’ experience in sales, including eight years of experience in medical equipment sales, and I have two more years of management experience than stated in the job description. In my last role, my team exceeded the monthly quota by 15% for two years in a row and landed three of the largest accounts in company history.
Given my experience and expertise, I am seeking a salary in the range of $145,000 to $150,000. However, I am open to discussing alternative compensation, such as opportunities for additional stock options or increased performance-based bonuses.”
“Thank you for sending over the job offer package for the Regional Sales Manager position. I am excited about the opportunity and would like to reiterate how grateful I am you’ve considered me for this role. I believe in your product and know I could help you drive even greater results.
However, before I accept your offer, I want to address the proposed salary.
As I shared during the interview process, I have more than twelve years’ experience in sales, including eight years of experience in medical equipment sales, and I have two more years of management experience than stated in the job description. In my last role, my team exceeded the monthly quota by 15% for two years in a row and landed three of the largest accounts in company history.
Given my experience and expertise, I am seeking a salary in the range of $145,000 to $150,000. However, I am open to discussing alternative compensation, such as opportunities for additional stock options or increased performance-based bonuses.”