Hey manager types...I need your help

[rehmwa 2]

I've been on both sides and think that Wendy nailed the response. Here's some more:

1 - 3% nowadays is pretty good considering that many places haven't had raises at all for the last three years - I don't know your industry, though. What are the high performers getting, you might already be in that group. Also, most departments get a certain amount to divide. Any extra that you'd get means less for your coworkers - are you that much better than them? You might be. If so, don't feel bad, you deserve it, they don't.

2 - Go ahead and interview elsewhere, see what they "offer", not what they "advertise". It's sometimes very different. You might also find a dream job. Unfortuneately, a good way to jack up your salary is to job hop when the market is good.

3 - The amount of work you do for a job description is irrelevant. But the pay it would take to replace you is not. In the end, we hire talent, not a position, so you are hired for what you can do, not to fill the requirements of the job you first interviewed for. If your talent exceeds your pay, you need to back it up by comparing it to higher level positions in the same industry, not your current job description.

4 - Are you visible in that your accomplishments are well known and tied to $$$$ and goals for the company? This helps. I get tired of the "my guys work hard" statement. Everybody works hard, but does their work pay off more than the others?

5 - It NEVER hurts to ask, most managers want to take care of their people. But most employees think it's a contest and approach the issue as 'why are you screwing me over' - that doesn't go over. In reality, it's really a team. A calm approach with facts and a cool head will usually work and impress the boss. Unless she's a jerk.

Good luck

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[PLFKING 4]

1) Be prepared to discuss EVERYTHING you did in the job you were hired to do, and EVERYTHING that you do in your current job. When you get into a pressure situation such as a review, you will tend to focus on the more important aspects of the job, but as a manager I know that the little things are just as important to keep things flowing on a daily basis.

2) Got a friend in middle-management ? Buy him lunch in return for giving you a mock-review....it may help identify which subjects you're most nervous discussing, plus may help you get a good rythm going....there's a rythm to every review OR interview, whether it's good OR bad. Bring light-hearted is not necessarily a bad thing either, if you pick your spots. You should know this person at least somewhat....it's not like a job interview where you're going in cold. If your manager has a sense of humor, use a little of yours -- you know you have a great one. The key here is picking your spots....you still want him to know you're serious, but a little humor can be huge in defusing negative feelings.

3) Take your "Kudos" file with you. i alweys encouraged it of my reports, because managers forget things about individuals when they're responsible for large departments. Plus, kudos from other department heads will let your manager know how highly others think of you, and may even open his eyes to some accomplishments he didn't know you had achieved.

4) Lose the "Jessicakes".

Good luck....you deserve it. I've always thought that good things happen to good people, so I think you'll be fine.


Don

[Michele 1]

I have nothing to add to the rest of the really good advice....Wendy and PLFKing nail it beautifully, imho...

And remember, you rawk, you're excellent at what you do, and you deserve to get the same compensation as others who are doing what you do get. So be confident!

Many hugs, and good vibes to you - I hope you get far more than 3%!

Ciels-
Michele

~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek
While our hearts lie bleeding?~

[skreamer 1]

Might one suggest the following slightly revised letter :

  Quote

Dear Boss:

In light of my upcoming annual performance review, I am requesting a salary increase that reflects my hard work and dedication as an editor at the Express-News.

Two years ago, I was hired by XXXXX as a copy editor, doing blah blah blah.

Very shortly after starting, my waistline increased dramatically. I now spend most of my workweek binge-eating, yet my salary has not increased to reflect this. One year after my start date, I was given a 3 percent raise, which is an accepted cost-of-living standard increase for a job that has remained static.

I have researched the salary range for someone in newspaper journalism with my job responsibilities, and I believe that an appropriate salary would be $XX,XXX.

Sincerely,
Jessicakes

[AndyMan 7]

  Quote

would not start with global thermonuclear warfare unless you are willing to loose your job.

a) start sending your resume out and interviewing, when you have a few good ones on the scope, then send the letter

I agree that taking out thermonuclear war without a backup plan is bad, however this is not thermo-nuclear war.

Having it in writing does NOT elevate the meaning, it just makes it official. If it's not in writing its not official.

  Quote

b) start out with a conversation regarding your raise. Be persistent but gentle.

Also true, but this letter seems like an ideal way of accomplishing that.

It's dificult for us to tell how regimented Jessicakes organization is in paperwork. Many larger companies rely heavily on paperwork and burocracy, so writing a letter is recomended. At smaller companies, writing a letter would seem almost hostile and a bad idea. I suspect Jessicakes works for the former, though.

At the very least, she's got nothing to lose.

_Am

__

You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

[mfrese 0]

Just to expand on the advice you've already gotten, I'd try to discuss it before your review, and before you send the letter. A personal approach can be very effective, particularly if you have a decent working relationship with your manager(s). They're busy people, they may even realize you're due for a promo or additional compensation, and sending the letter is going to tend to make them a little defensive. As stated by someone else, make sure you've done your research on what you should be making, have the talk, and then if they don't agree to look into it (or explain why they think it isn't going to happen), take steps from there. Documenting that you're not happy with your salary is generally not going to make a difference when it comes to handing out raises and/or promos...the HR folks will appreciate the explanation if you end up quitting, but it's not going to make them loosen up the purse strings if they don't think you merit the money.
Just for the record, I had this same discussion last week with one of the folks I manage, and they weren't very happy with the fact that the 3.5% raise they got last year is all they're going to get until at least next year, even though it puts them in the upper 30% of our organization that actually GOT raises in the last two years. So be prepared, there may be other reasons you've been overlooked so far. Good luck, hope it works out!

Iceman

Doctor I ain't gonna die,
Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash