Yearly review two questionsHi all, I'm an attorney and have a yearly review coming up w/in a week. I have learned so much from this board, and even successfully used some of the strategies from this board 2-3 years ago when I was hired and had my first review. It's funny, but I've negotiated for my clients for years, but when it comes to my own career, I find the rhythm changes and it's not so naturally easy as it is when I'm doing it for someone else. Anyway, I am prepared for the amount of the raise, as well as the bonus. Each is rather standard, but with room to negotiate. BUT, my big concern is how to address the prospect of becoming a partner. There is no standard 'partner track' in these smaller firms. Rather, it is a combination of how hard you work, how long you've been there, etc. There is only one other associate who even comes close in terms of quality of work and amount of hours. This person is my only competition, and has been confirmed by other partners. So, 2 questions: 1) During my review, after the proposed raise and bonus is presented, should I then respond by addressing my desire to become partner, and then only AFTER they respond should I address the raise/bonus (obviously, only if these fall below my minimum requirement, I don't want to negotiate just to negotiate)? Being promoted is much more important than negotiating an extra 1% raise, so I don't think I should start with that. Make sense? 2) Can I address the topic of this other associate when talking about future prospects of becoming partner? I know generally that all comparisons must be made against general criteria--one can't say "I need 5% raise because John Doe got 5%", but rather "I deserve 5% because of my 3 recent accomplishments". However, this other associate has a slightly longer tenure than I do, and if they are looking to promote that person, it would result in a much longer wait for me. I think I need to address this, but am not sure how to compare my accomplishments against that person's. Sorry if long-winded--thanks so much for any help! So, who' s surprised that lawyers are long-winded? Kidding. First question: I think I' d raise the question about becoming a partner in response to the initial salary increase/bonus proposal. That gives you the opportunity to, in effect, "counter-offer" with an expression of your desire to become a partner - rather than countering with a higher salary or bonus proposal. I' d raise the partner issue even if the proposed increase is equal to or more than you' re anticipating. The door still remains open, as I see it, for you to raise the amount of salary/bonus issue, assuming it' s low, after you' ve been told that becoming a partner is a ways off - or whatever. Second question: I wouldn' t compare my own accomplishments to the other person at all. I' d state my accomplishments as stand-alone factors that justify being made a partner, although I think you might be able to make a more sweeping statement along the lines of, "So, as you can see, I' ve been able to accomplish thus-and-so which I don' t believe anyone else in the firm, with comparable experience, has thus far achieved. It' s a comparison, obviously, just a little more sweeping in its implications. Or you could just present your list of accomplishments and say "res ipsa loquitur!" Zat help? Thanks for the advice, which I did use. The review went well, and I feel very good about the outcome! Thanks again! | |
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