Hellobee Boards

It is perfectly acceptable to compare your position with other positions in your area. Have you researched what other software engineer jobs in your area are paying? You can find them on a few websites (I'll have to find the one I've used in the past...) but you can use that to help you.

I would just tell your boss that you feel you work hard and give good results (give examples and point out things your boss says you are doing well). Then explain how you have been a reliable employee for 7 years and feel it's time for an in-grade. Explain how much you are asking for and why. Then let your boss talk or thing about it.

I would go into it with ammunition to back you up or else you don't have much to stand on.

Good luck!!

I haven't ever done this before but I have always heard you have to go prepared. Have examples of what you have done over the last year, accomplishments, anything you have done above and beyond. Maybe find examples of jobs that show a higher salary.

I work in the software industry too. From what I've seen, your best bet of getting a significant raise is to get another job offer. My company would always give a counter offer for people they liked. But ultimately, you may need to leave if you want to make significantly more.

I think if you are working at the next level and have been for awhile, consistently, you have a good chance of coming out of there with, if not a raise (or a promise to look at it), at least you've put it on his radar.

Oooo that is helpful--we have published salary levels here, too. And if you have tribal knowledge that you are not within certain percentages of that mid-range, I would definitely bring it up! I had brought up that someone with less experience than me had been promoted, and he said that he simply had better work opportunities than I had. Which I then used to leverage myself into a better position with more opportunities (still under the same boss...but I got "better" work after that, ya know?) I know that when I start maxing out the range of my salary that it is time to go up. Here, your raises get smaller as you get closer to maxing out the amount for that level. One year I was so close, I got 0.5% raise. But then I got bumped up a level within 6 months and got a 9% raise and all was good. AND my manager apologized for the drama and hassle.

I don't think managers always think "oh hey, so-and-so hasn't had a raise in so long, it's time to look at getting her more money", ya know? Because they probably figure if you are unhappy with it, you will bring it up. And until then, why make more work for themselves? I know some managers are very proactive about this, but not many.

I think you have a solid case, for sure Good luck!!

@Adira: Good for you! I asked for more money when I covered a coworker's maternity leave and received it. I didn't realize how significant the work load would be until I was half way through - so a little different scenario. I made sure to have specific examples of what I was going additional - so if I were in your shoes, I'd have specific examples of stellar work or what you've brought to the company.

Don't feel greedy or nervous. Of course a manager would rather you feel valued and stay at the company than potentially look elsewhere! Exactly what @blackbird said too about them not thinking to offer extra if you're not speaking up.

I think the more you try to negotiate, the easier it gets as well. Salary is so important too because every subsequent raise is affected (obviously).

Good luck! You can do it!

men ARE statistically better at this and this is easily one of the reasons they make more than us. BECAUSE THEY ASK FOR IT. And have no problem being turned down. Whereas a woman would probably feel guilty and bad about it, riiiiight?

Don't feel bad. It sounds like you do solid work, are contributing, and are performing above where you should, so why shouldn't you be compensated equally?

@sunny, raises can be put in for quarterly, and performance reviews are done twice a year here

@sunny: It is the same at my company where raises have already been decided, so the best time to talk about salary expectations would be before the performance review cycle starts.
That said, @Adira: I think any time is a good time to at least voice your concerns. You may not get any action immediately, but as they say, "the squeaky wheel gets the grease." It is better that your wishes be known than to sit silently and be unhappy. Also, I would recommend finding a mentor in the management chain who could advocate on your behalf or who you could have these kinds of discussions with. A mentor could tell you what the best way might be to navigate these type of issues in your particular company, since every org has its own culture. Good luck!

agree with what the pp's said. bring a list of accomplishments and your skill set, esp if there is something that you do that no one else can. market comps are the most important though. it shows that you've done your research and reminds them that you are mobile. most people will get a raise if they jump to another company. i think i read somewhere that people that move laterally (i.e. company to company) are paid much higher than those that rise vertically within the same company.

definitely agree with @Happygal about rehearsing a little bit! it helps to have your thoughts organized so if you are nervous, it will help you still hit all the salient points. good luck!

@Adira: That's awesome. Great way to start a Wednesday

@Adira: That's awesome! Fingers crossed that they really take it into consideration and you get a raise to reflect your worth!!