Hi mamas - sorry for the length of this. I am a terrible negotiator when it comes to arguing my own worth. I'll fight tooth and nail for someone else but when it comes to myself, I'll settle for an "atta girl, keep up the good work we just love ya kid." I need some advice from business-savvy mamas.
I have been with my company for 12 years; in my job with the same boss for 10, great relationship with him, excellent performance reviews etc.. Although I love my job (and flexibility), information I've gotten from contacts at other firms indicates that I could be making 25-30% more elsewhere than I do here. I am grateful for my job but there have been no merit increases for several years. We have talked about promotions for me over the years but nothing has materialized. I work in a very small, specialized team (7 people, my boss reports to the CFO who reports to the CEO) with no defined career track, so to move up I would have to take on more responsibility in my team (and have had no opportunity to do so) or move to another department entirely.
So here's the situation - one of my junior colleagues is on a 3-month leave to travel and whether or not she returns depends on her visa situation. I have absorbed her work (sales support) during her leave. Another junior colleague just gave his notice today. He heads up a monthly business critical process and is heavily involved in a legal and regulatory initiative with a firm deadline or we will be out of compliance. I am the only one left on the team with the ability to assist with or take over this project. We also have 2 open reqs for junior positions. Even if my traveling colleague comes back and we were to hire someone to replace the other guy, I will still be heavily involved in taking over this project while the replacement gets up to speed.
To me, this looks like an opportunity to take on more responsibility and get a promotion and raise. Rather than replace the leaving colleague (and hire 2 more as planned), I think that if we eliminated his position and filled the 2 open junior reqs that that would free up $ to fund a promotion and I could have two people reporting to me to cover some of the more tactical aspects of my current position and the other guy's job. I would have to work my tail off to do his job and mine for 6-9 months but part of that would involve finishing up automating some tasks that he has been doing that are time consuming and is totally doable.
So...my boss and I have a meeting tomorrow to discuss what the heck we're going to do. I don't want to be all selfish and "me, me, me" but now seems as good a time as any to pitch something that will take care of this situation at work and benefit me. His back is against a wall right now. Any words of wisdom from those who have negotiated a situation like this successfully? Any things to definitely avoid saying? How do I avoid doing what I always do, which is to be a good corporate citizen and take on more work without any compensation? I should mention that I have a pattern of doing that...when we did layoffs in 2009, I was the one who absorbed work from departing colleagues and the same thing has happened many times over the years. They know that I can keep up my own projects, quickly learn someone else's job, automate or offshore the heck out of it and after a few months get that FT job down to a few hours of work a week.
Thanks for your advice (and for reading this novella).
Thank you so much everyone! I made some notes and ran through some scenarios with my husband. I really love the idea of a stipend or bonus to cover the extra work if a promotion and permanent raise end up being impossible. Thanks again, I really appreciate the advice.
Have solutions for how to make this work on a temporary basis and point out that you have always been there for the department. I wouldn't hesitate to ask for a coverage "bonus" and a regular time for reviews and raises. I have been covering for a couple open territories for the past quarter so I will be compensated for it. Don't mention the other companies, offer what you can do for him...what you can do for him isn't free.
I'm late coming on this, JB, but I just want to say that you start out telling them why your idea is good for the company, but then you tell them why YOU are interested in doing it. You tell them that you know that industry-wise, you are not paid near the top of the range and you want to be compensated more. You also want more responsibility and managerial experience, in order to better define your career track. They have talked of promoting you and creating another position in the past, but it never materialized. It's time.
And JB, let it be about you, you, you. There's nothing wrong with it. SELL your idea. But don't soft pedal the fact that you want to be paid more. If you know how much is proper to ask for, go ahead and ask. Don't flinch, and don't be embarrassed. Don't look away, and don't look down. Don't clasp your hands. Lift your chin when you say it and look straight into his eyes.
Being a softie will get you the work, but not the renumeration. Don't do that to yourself.
Good luck!
Dawn
Sounds like you deserve a raise. There's a book entitled, "Getting to Yes;" one of the author's (there are two) is Ury. It's a fast read, though I don't know how late the local bookstore stays open. It is a book about negotiating; I was required to read it when I worked for a mediator. Maybe at this point in time, some of the book is online.
Write down your points and support, but also anticipate his arguments, and develop a way to refute, or successfully disprove his points.
After brainstorming your ideas, role play the conversation with someone.
Find a way to explain yourself without making it apparent that you know his "back is to the wall." Find points to raise that show how it will benefit him. If you are responsible for the finances in anyway, and know how to calculate your worth and then demonstrate that, have that prepared.
If not a raise (don't let on right away), perhaps a stipend for the extra load and training duties until the new employee is hired.
Perhaps you can ask that he shows you the confidence in doing these extra responsibilities with a new job title and higher salary.
Best of luck! I wish I knew what field you are in. It sounds interesting.
I have been in similar situations where there is no defined career track & no set raises & promotions, you're basically just going to the boss & asking which is very difficult to know when where & how to do. Since you do have a great opportunity I would just go in very confident & explain what you just have. That you have the ability & willingness & that you are looking for an opportunity to move up in position and monetary compensation. I would mention that you need to feel that you are moving up otherwise if you are at a standstill it may be necessary to move on to somewhere where your career can progress. (That says it all without harping on me me me & it doesnt sound petty like give me more money or else lol) Honestly you have already thought this out & can see how it can benefit you & the company so I would just go with that. Just be confident & assured that you are deserving of being on a career path that is moving up. The only ones who get what they want in life are those who ask :)) gl!!
Don't say too much about "other firms" as he may think you are leaving. Don't threaten to leave no matter what.
You totally deserve it and it makes sense from what you have written. Take a notecard with key points.
I have never been a part of the business/corporate world so I have no experience with interviews in that arena, but I have always rocked at interviews I have had personally. The reason I think I have always been successful with that is because I go in and say what is in my heart and what makes sense to me. People respond to that kind of initiative. I think what you wrote in paragraphs 2 and 3 of your novella (lol. That made me laugh!) is exactly what you should say to your boss. Write it down and read it to him if necessary. Ok maybe don't go that far, but maybe write down the talking points you mentioned. The fact is, they know your history. Obviously you are a great employee that works hard and has a great deal of integrity. You have a great relationship with your boss, so I think you should just throw it out there. What do you have to lose? He won't fire you for your great idea, but he just might think it is the best idea he hadn't thought about! Go for it! You are worth it!!
Good luck and God Bless!
A.
Be selfish! Men have NO problem saying look how great I am! So do the same! Good luck!
If your management has not reconized your ontribution to the company by now, chances are they will just take advantage of your work ethics and loyalty.
Keep your job and if you have a performance review in the near future, you will of should have to opportunity to discuss your GROWTH potential based on your current and passed performance.
If you do not get a satisfactory answer/solution, then begin looking for another position and employer. Unless you have a lot of savings in the bank to sustain you for several months, do not do anything in haste.
I wish you all the very best.....Kindest regards
sweetie, i hope you wrote all of this down for your meeting. that always helps me. consider it a written proposal. present your facts on paper, or an email, and send it to you boss. you can ask in a respectful and professional manner. there's no harm in that. be prepared to be told "no" with grace and dignity. and stick with it. i am in a similar position. luckily for me i have a boss willing to go to bat for me. we didn't get merit increases for three years either (or any raises at all actually). when the company started turning around was when i started reaping the benefits. maybe the time isn't right at the moment for them financially, BUT you absolutely should put a bug in his ear. probably he will agree with you, so next time he's in a meeting with HIS boss (or a budget meeting, or whatever), he will remember your conversation and speak up. good luck!!
