Career Tips

Interesting Situation


Hi,

I am in an interesting situation. I have hinted to my boss for a raise via the trusted performance review technique.  She had a meeting with me regarding several topics that day and mentioned a raise. She told me to look for a raise in the next coming weeks because one more approval is needed. Also she did not mention how much of a raise it will be, and I now regret not asking.

Should I be concerned that no number, percentage or otherwise, was specified and that I was told to wait a few weeks for it.

Thanks!

I don't think you should be concerned, at least not yet.  If you haven't heard anything from anybody by next week, I think it would be appropriate to casually say to your boss that you're excited about the raise that was discussed during your performance review and simply ask when she thinks it will actually take effect.  Then wait and see how much the increase actually is - most people usually receive about 3%, give or take.  If you think the actual amount is too low, you can politely ask if the percentage is negotiable.  If it isn't, whatever the amount is, it's better than what you're earning now.  It it is negotiable and you're asked what percentage you have in mind, I'd counter with a range.  I'd say something like, "I was anticipating an increase in the 5% to 10% range, but you also have to be prepared to state some specifics with regard to your job performance that justifies the higher range.  Since you just had a performance review, I'd think it would be relatively easy to point to some of your accomplishments that will show, hopefully, that you're not just doing what's expected on the job, but more than expected.  Zat help?

Paul W. Barada

The Negotiation Expert

I would agree with Paul and add that it would not be smart to give you a number if she did not have that final approval. What if she said you wee getting $5,000 more but only got approval for $2,000? She would have to backtrack on what she said.

Better to keep a number out of it until finalized.

I agree with Chet and Paul.  Here's how it works in my large company.  I put in for a raise for Bob.  Our guidelines for this are 3% if he gets a 4 or 5 out of 5 on his evaluation.  My boss then gets the list for the 54 people that work for her.  She adjusts our requests to even out the amounts to a round number where she can (so you don't get a raise of $2496.72 for example, she shifts it to come out to $2500).  Then she makes adjustments for people that might be more below the mid-point of their pay range than others.  So, instead of 3% for Mary, she shifts it to 3.5%.  That .5% has to come from somewhere, so it comes in little bits off eveyone else.  Then she sends the whole thing to her boss, who does similar stuff to it, then it goes to HR.

So, she probably knows what she's asked for your raise, but it may end up at 3%, 3.5%, 2.876%, yada, yada.  She can't tell you exactly what that number is until it is all said and done.

 

Tess

Career Tips

  1. Interview Tips
  2. Resume Tips
  3. Salary Tips
  4. Career Change Tips
  5. Job Search Tips
  6. Career Tips

© Rights Reserved. Career, Resume, Interiview Tips | Sitemap