way underpaid
I recently (6 months ago) accepted a position working as an administrative assistant in the healthcare field. I am finishing up my Masters in Health Admin. and I have about three years experience and a bachelors degree in health science. At the time I accepted the position I was not worried about salary since I simply needed a job closer to home, and so I accepted the low-ball offer of $11/hr. Now my financial situation has changed. Since I am highly efficient my work has gone from simple clerical work to a great deal of data analysis and highly detailed projects. Two staff members have recently left our office, and I have taken on just about all of their assignments. I am now doing the work of three people, and being paid 1/2 of what one of the original staff members was paid. Both of these staff members made over 20 dollars an hour and had advanced titles. I constantly recieve enormously positive feedback and have even been given projects to work on for the CEO. I will not be given a chance for any raise for at least a year. The other people at my level have no education or health related experience. I am clearly overqualified and underpaid. I know I have put myself in a corner by not insisting on a greater salary from the get go. I know I will never be able to ask for the salary increase I deserve. Should I consider employment elsewhere? I feel like I am stuck. HELP!!!
Why do you think you cannot ask for an increase? If I were you, I would put together a list of projects, etc.. that you have completed, contributed to, etc... and set up a meeting with your boss. I would present to the boss the items you have completed and ask for a raise. With that I would have a copy of what the typical admin salary is in your area (salary.com) and ask for a range of the upper lower amt to the middle lower. Example, if an admin in your area makes between 35k and 45k, i would ask for a raise to 37 - 42k. Figure out the percentage raise that would be as well as the dollars, as well as the dollars per week. Whichever one is lowest, mention that number as well. Meaning, if 40k means a 25% raise but it's a 100 dollar a week raise and a (ok, not doing the math here so bear with me), say, 5000 a year raise, I would mention the 100 dollars per week...sounds less and will scare boss less. LOL They will ask for time to think about it most likely, simply ask when you can expect a response and whatever you do, make your boss feel like he or she is so awesome for helping you get this raise. :-)
First of all, prepare a list of all your responsibilities - highlighting the ones that have been added since the departure of the other two people. Next list your accomplishments - goals met, objectives achieved, responsibilities assumed, initiatives taken - anything that will clearly show that you're not only responsible for more, but also that your successfully completing the tasks to which you've been assigned. Then politely ask the appropriate person for a performance and salary review - in light of the recent changes in your assigned responsibilities serving as justification for the review. Make two copies of your list, one for you and one for the person doing the review, so you'll both be looking at the same information. If you're asked what sort of increase you have in mind, I wouldn't try to jump from $11 per hour to $20 per hour, but I would say I was anticipating an increase in salary to the $15 to $18 per hour range, and see what sort of response you receive. If the appropriate person won't allow a performance and salary review - in light of your changed duties - I'd dust of my resume and quietly start a job search, keeping in mind that it's always easier to find a job when you have one. Hope this helps. Paul W. Barada The Negotiation Expert
Do all the suggestiongs posted except one. Do NOT bring any externalsalary data in such as graphs from salary.com. Your employer is notgoing to care what salary.com (which, BTW, is higher than reality)says. You get an increase based on what YOU are doing, have done, etc.Get this first increase, even though it won't bring you where youshould be, then go from there the next time an increase is due.
they wont give you a raise. I'm in the same boat. I took a job with a lot of responsibility for far less than market. I felt that once I got there, made a significant impact on the bottom line, they would come around. Nope. The only light I see at the end of the tunnel is to find a different Job.
Not to sound like a wise-guy, but have you ASKED for a performance and salary review and how long have you been with this particular employer? Your message makes it sound like you just expected them to recognize what you accomplished and automatically increase your salary. Preparing a list of achievements in advance and then asking for a performance and salary review is a logical first step to take. If there isn't a positive outcome, then quietly initiate a job search - assuming you've been there longer than 6 months... Paul W. Barada The Negotiation Expert
You never know until you try. One of my coworkers recently revealed to me that she was brought into the department when they were seriously short-staffed. She was not only doing the work of two people but she was doing work that was far higher than her pay-grade. She just sent an email requesting a pay raise and/or promotion to her manager and she made her case by listing all she had done for the department since her arrival. They gave it to her. I'm not sure how big your office is but the restrictions may not be from your supervisor; it might be from Human Resources. My company has since made the raise/promotion guidelines much stricter; my bosses wanted to give me a promotion much sooner than they did but couldn't based on HR guidelines. See if something can be discussed. If you're not happy with it still, at least you will have tried all options before deciding to look elsewhere.
I know I will never be able to ask for the salary increase I deserve. Should I consider employment elsewhere? I feel like I am stuck. you feel stuck. they dont. unless you challenge the situation you are in fact creating a status quo. obviously you need to clarify for your own good exactly what has changed in your work tasks, what you are required to do, what you assume and take on yourself. i bet that you are the type that takes on more burdens simply because you can. what you feel responsible for may just be your initiative response, your response-able ness. its great to take on projects for the ceo, just little ol' admin asst you. learn to say no if you are not going to ask for help. you end up micro managing everything because you wont let go. to advance here you need to change the status quo. ask for help. properly directed initiative and the ability to let go will show confidence in your ability to become a supervisor of others. this is the way to build on your tenure, create seniority, be recognized as an employee with growth potential. put together an employment plan and approach the ceo and request his audience on this issue. remind yourself of your great credentials that justify your taking this proactive and superior approach. at worst the ceo will take note, maybe he will refer you back to hr (at least you have his oversight - play it), if all fails certainly consider putting your name on the market (for good or bad they will assume you are anyway). good luck. seize the day. OK, help me out here... How do you know you can't ask for a raise? Particularly since several of us have told you pretty much how to go about it? Paul W. Barada The Negotiation Expert | |
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