how do you ask for more money when offered a new position?

[Anonymous]

I've just been offered a new position at work. they're offering a 4-percent raise, but I feel like with the added responsibility and work the new job will entail, they should be offer more.

on the other hand, I'm just happy to have a job right now and don't want to rock the boat too much. I just found out my employer will be laying off a couple of people. I'm very happy to be spared.

any advice?

[Anonymous]

I'm a huge advocate for always asking for more, BUT- in this situation, I wouldn't.

[Anonymous]

Enjoy the 4% and don'tn rock this boat this time.

[Anonymous]

I'm in the same boat. I would only rock the boat if they were freezing my pay. I think 4% in this economy is about the best most of us can expect. Congratulations and enjoy - let's all hope our work pays off when the economy improves.

[Anonymous]

Ask what others in comparable positions make, or for an independent eval of the salary and the responsibilities from HR. If a company is committed to giving percentage raises, that is how inequities can continue. For instance, if I was promoted from front line to manager, and was offered a percentage, then I may not be making something that is comparable to other managers in my position. HR should be able to evaluate your position to make sure it is making what the comparable position on the open market (corrected for however far your company usually is from the market) would pay.

In my last company, I was always offered percentage changes with promotions. When I left, I found out there were a LOT of people in less responsible positions who were making money on an entirely different salary scale than I was.

Now, in my new company, whenever I push for a promotion, I push for (and get) the comparable salary for that position. In one case, that was a 30% pay increase (not that we talked about in percentages, it was just what the job paid). These salaries have made sure that I was paid what other people were paid in my comparable positions (adjusting for experience, as I was often at the low end) and you should be able to ask not specifically what someone makes, but what is the general expected pay range for someone in this position. In my new company, I am moving to a job with a 30K pay range difference in the position, but I know that going in, and I know where I want to try to end up.

If you put it in terms of what the job and the work you provide is worth to the company, it will be more well received than how you personally want more money.

[Anonymous]

I echo what 15:01 said. You should make every effort to make sure you are being paid within the salary range (sometimes just below if you are very junior) for the position. Stay away from arguments about why you "think" the job is worth more money.

[Anonymous]

If they've offered you the position, you can ask for more. It's not like they're going to fire you for asking.

If a man were in your shoes, do you think he would hesitate to ask?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ask what others in comparable positions make, or for an independent eval of the salary and the responsibilities from HR. If a company is committed to giving percentage raises, that is how inequities can continue. For instance, if I was promoted from front line to manager, and was offered a percentage, then I may not be making something that is comparable to other managers in my position. HR should be able to evaluate your position to make sure it is making what the comparable position on the open market (corrected for however far your company usually is from the market) would pay.

In my last company, I was always offered percentage changes with promotions. When I left, I found out there were a LOT of people in less responsible positions who were making money on an entirely different salary scale than I was.

Now, in my new company, whenever I push for a promotion, I push for (and get) the comparable salary for that position. In one case, that was a 30% pay increase (not that we talked about in percentages, it was just what the job paid). These salaries have made sure that I was paid what other people were paid in my comparable positions (adjusting for experience, as I was often at the low end) and you should be able to ask not specifically what someone makes, but what is the general expected pay range for someone in this position. In my new company, I am moving to a job with a 30K pay range difference in the position, but I know that going in, and I know where I want to try to end up.

If you put it in terms of what the job and the work you provide is worth to the company, it will be more well received than how you personally want more money.

You can do this? You can ask your HR what comparable positions in your company make? What if there are only 3 or 4 other people with the same responsibilities? Will HR still provide that type of information? If so, I'm psyched! I'm going to ask!

[Anonymous]

Hr should be able to provide an internal and/or external salary assessment for your position. I would also do your own external research. Good luck, and congrats.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:[You can do this? You can ask your HR what comparable positions in your company make? What if there are only 3 or 4 other people with the same responsibilities? Will HR still provide that type of information? If so, I'm psyched! I'm going to ask!

I worked for a firm with 800 employees, yes. A firm with 10 employees, no. I suspect if there are only 3 or 4 others in the position, HR won't give out any meaningful data. Doesn't hurt to ask. Good luck

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've just been offered a new position at work. they're offering a 4-percent raise, but I feel like with the added responsibility and work the new job will entail, they should be offer more.

on the other hand, I'm just happy to have a job right now and don't want to rock the boat too much. I just found out my employer will be laying off a couple of people. I'm very happy to be spared.

any advice?

If you think this will lead to 60-hour weeks when you were working 830 to 5 before, 4% is so not worth it. I don't want to see you in the Relationships forum a year from now. (Now if you were working 60 hours before, consider this a step up.)

If you think you have a legitimate fear for your job if you refuse, then accept and either stay for 1-2 years to make your resume look better, or leave as soon as you can.

Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've just been offered a new position at work. they're offering a 4-percent raise, but I feel like with the added responsibility and work the new job will entail, they should be offer more.

on the other hand, I'm just happy to have a job right now and don't want to rock the boat too much. I just found out my employer will be laying off a couple of people. I'm very happy to be spared.

any advice?

No one is indispensable so keep your mouth shut because one of those being laid off will be hapy to have your job at your pay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've just been offered a new position at work. they're offering a 4-percent raise, but I feel like with the added responsibility and work the new job will entail, they should be offer more.

on the other hand, I'm just happy to have a job right now and don't want to rock the boat too much. I just found out my employer will be laying off a couple of people. I'm very happy to be spared.

any advice?

If you think this will lead to 60-hour weeks when you were working 830 to 5 before, 4% is so not worth it. I don't want to see you in the Relationships forum a year from now. (Now if you were working 60 hours before, consider this a step up.)

If you think you have a legitimate fear for your job if you refuse, then accept and either stay for 1-2 years to make your resume look better, or leave as soon as you can.
Good luck.

This is the best advice so far. Classic ball squeezing is going on when you are in the above situation. I went to part time at 65%, slowly work load crept up to 85%. I left for sabbatical, came back for a year--then quit. Did not work for a year. Started back this fall new firm, 65%., most of it telecommuted. It got better for me--but I had the luxury DH having my back--Hang in there, but don't ruin your life for peanuts.

[Anonymous]

OP - do you believe what you say? Really? Are you really happy to have this job? Then act accordingly and STFU. Really.

[Anonymous]

Wow, people can't expect to be paid what they are worth and instead they should be happy for a job? Somebody is making some money, I guess it might as well NOT be you.

I'm all for being thankful and not being greedy, but at some point this wage slave mentality has to stop. But then again, I've always been a business owner because I can't "fall in line" so I guess ignore me.