How do you go about asking for a raise/promotion?

[motoman]

Thank you Matt and Brent, those points and very helpful suggestions.

[NTexas_V-Star]

Back when I worked retail, I had a customer getting pissy in the store when I wouldnt let them "return" a product that I watched them grab off the shelf on the way to the counter (we also had zero sales that day, so I knew his story was BS) so when he asked to speek to the "person in charge" I said sure, spun around 360 degrees and asked how I could help him. The look on his face was priceless!

I've done that. I include taking the hat off that I have on, and getting a clean one from under the counter.

[Big A]

In line with what Brent said, I made the case that my role and responsibilities are far above and beyond what I am currently getting paid. Similar to your story, I moved into this position at an entry level salary that was even lower than true entry level, because they based it on the inside sales pay that I was making. Fast forward to today, and I'm now responsible for the bulk of my territory's revenue, yet I hadn't gotten a raise since coming out to CA because of a company-wide raise hold "due to economic factors."

I basically got to the point that it was time to force their hand, so I sat down with my TVP and I genuinely plead my case with the facts. I wouldn't recommend bringing up anything about your expenses, it's really none of their business, and more importantly none of their concern. They pay you based on your performance and what you are worth to them, not what you think that you are worth, or deserve to be able to spend.

[motoman]

This past Friday my VP called me into his office to tell me how pleased he's been with my work over the past 8 months. He tells me our CIO was very impressed with a project that I took on and that they want me to keep on doing what I'm doing. He gave me a small raise (not as much as I wanted) and asked me if I would like to work some overtime. He also told me that my CIO has instructed him to include me in a couple big projects we have down the pipeline. I expressed to him that while I enjoy my job, it's not a position I expect to make a career out of, and that I'm eager to move into bigger things. He tells me that as long as I keep up my work, that shouldn't be a problem. Even though the raise isn't quite what I wanted, it's better than nothing, right? I think I'll stick this out a little while longer to see if he keeps his word with these projects.

[90GT50]

The last time I got a raise was after I interviewed at a corporate tmobile store, my manager found out from our business sales operations manager, like I knew he would, and asked me about it. The good thing about that is the manager at the time was the brother of the CEO of the tpr I work for, so he just called his brother and pretty much said "Hey, you need to give Jeremy $2 more an hour or he's going to corporate." a few hours later it got approved. I still would've rather changed jobs at the time, but it fell through anyways because they have a no hire policy for our tpr if you're still a current employee, there has to be a 30 day period of no employment from them to get the job. Better than nothing.

[Big A]

See above about expectations versus true worth to the company. We'd all love a $50k a year bump, but that doesn't mean we're worth it to our employer.

They've just shown you what you are worth to them at the moment, either be content with it, or push for more money, and be prepared to walk if they won't pay up.

IMO any raise in the current economy is a good thing, especially if it's outside any usual yearly review/cost of living increase. At the very least it shows you that they do value your work.

[Silverback]

congrats Greg. Baby steps, just keep doing what you are doing, and ask for regular reviews of performance and coaching from the VP. Outside of your normal review process.

Heck, ask him if there is someone he can assign to help mentor you in the company to grown and learn from.

[motoman]

IMO any raise in the current economy is a good thing, especially if it's outside any usual yearly review/cost of living increase. At the very least it shows you that they do value your work.

There's no such thing as a "cost of living" increase with my company. IMO, if you're going to give someone a raise, give them enough where they'll notice it on their paycheck. I can work an extra hour of overtime and it'll be more money on my paycheck then the little raise I was given on Friday. The way it works with my company starts at the top with a bonus, that person takes their percentage and hands it down to the next manager below them, and it works it's way down till there's little to nothing left to the employee. But that's corporate America, right?

[Trick Pony]

I went and interviewed for another job at a place that pays more. I like my current job and the people I work with, especially my boss. When I got an offer I went to my boss and let her know that if I didn't get a raise and promotion (long overdue) I would be leaving.
The next day they informed me I was getting a promotion, a substantial raise, and some restricted stock.
Of course it could have gone the other way and they could have let me go and escorted me out of the building right then and there, so I wouldn't recommend trying this if you don't really have another job offer.

[bcoop]

See above about expectations versus true worth to the company. We'd all love a $50k a year bump, but that doesn't mean we're worth it to our employer.

They've just shown you what you are worth to them at the moment, either be content with it, or push for more money, and be prepared to walk if they won't pay up.

This.

IMO any raise in the current economy is a good thing, especially if it's outside any usual yearly review/cost of living increase. At the very least it shows you that they do value your work.

I agree that any increase is a good increase. However, "cost of living" raises are long gone, and have been for 5 years or more.

But that's corporate America, right?

Yep. Greg, I'd strongly suggest shopping your talents at Four Seasons. It's a great company to work for, with solid benefits, and the insurance is unreal. I gave the advice I gave, because you were content staying with CC. But the only real way to get a significant raise, is by making lateral moves.

[lowthreeohz]

I just started applying for new positions in my company, management figured it out quick enough.

[Big A]

There's no such thing as a "cost of living" increase with my company. IMO, if you're going to give someone a raise, give them enough where they'll notice it on their paycheck. I can work an extra hour of overtime and it'll be more money on my paycheck then the little raise I was given on Friday. The way it works with my company starts at the top with a bonus, that person takes their percentage and hands it down to the next manager below them, and it works it's way down till there's little to nothing left to the employee. But that's corporate America, right?

Sounds like a shitty tiered Amway scam, rather than a job, I dunno that I'd care to deal with that.

Again, it shows you how much the corporation values you, if management on up isn't willing to fight for anything more for you, then they agree with that value. Accept it and stick around for the next growth opportunity, or shop your talents elsewhere.

I agree that any increase is a good increase. However, "cost of living" raises are long gone, and have been for 5 years or more.

Oh, I know, I hadn't had a raise in 3 years when I finally nutted up and asked for mine. Fortunately it was deep into the double-digit percentage, so much better than the "pat on the head" raises that we used to get back at corporate.

[DON SVO]

Yep. Greg, I'd strongly suggest shopping your talents at Four Seasons. It's a great company to work for, with solid benefits, and the insurance is unreal. I gave the advice I gave, because you were content staying with CC. But the only real way to get a significant raise, is by making lateral moves.

To add on to this part I highlighted in bold...

Higher-paying lateral moves (and the threat of making them) are terrific for leverage. If you are making lateral moves, you need to be getting a bigger paycheck. It works in a number of ways and it should be a win/win for you. Essentially, if you have a live job offer from another company you've shown that your experience (that your existing employer groomed) makes you worth more to a competitor, and that you WANT bigger and better things. You want to move up and persevere. Sure, anyone and everyone would bail for a better paycheck (to an extent): but you've asked for more responsibility and better pay. You've directly propositioned your existing employer for what someone else has now said you are worth. Now your employer needs to back up their faith in you that they professed.

Job offers are about as strong of a litmus test as you can get. With a solid job offer, you can (and better have the stones to do it) put a 2 weeks notice on your bosses' desk and essentially say, "I want more for myself, I want to grow and I want this company to keep me here. Prove I am worth what you've said I'm worth and beat this." If they say they can't match it, then the 2 week notice gets laid down and a P.C. handshake follows.

On a personal note, a very good friend of mine just recently did this (end of April). He loved the company he works for but hated his manager... he was legitimately getting paid $12,000 a year less than his experience called for in Dallas and his manager brushed off any attempt to discuss promotions and raises. He told his weasel of a boss he had an offer from a direct competitor for $10,000 a year in salary more. His boss said no. He handed him an envelope with his 2 week notice, shook his bosses' hand and went back to his cube. He went to HR a week before leaving to make sure his PTO and stuff was in order and they said they never got the 2 weeks notice. He emailed his boss, CCd his bosses' boss and HR Friday before going home. He was called into a meeting Monday morning and was told HR hadn't gotten the 2 week notice because his boss never opened the envelope. His boss didn't think he was serious. His GM approved an on-paper promotion (title only, same responsibility) immediately there in the office, gave him a $1,500-a-month raise (18K/yr) and then proceeded to move him to another team and out from under his existing boss. LOL he says the move was probably the sweetest part and hears rumors that his old manager should be gone by June 1.

[Big A]

On a personal note, a very good friend of mine just recently did this (end of April). He loved the company he works for but hated his manager... he was legitimately getting paid $12,000 a year less than his experience called for in Dallas and his manager brushed off any attempt to discuss promotions and raises. He told his weasel of a boss he had an offer from a direct competitor for $10,000 a year in salary more. His boss said no. He handed him an envelope with his 2 week notice, shook his bosses' hand and went back to his cube. He went to HR a week before leaving to make sure his PTO and stuff was in order and they said they never got the 2 weeks notice. He emailed his boss, CCd his bosses' boss and HR Friday before going home. He was called into a meeting Monday morning and was told HR hadn't gotten the 2 week notice because his boss never opened the envelope. His boss didn't think he was serious. His GM approved an on-paper promotion (title only, same responsibility) immediately there in the office, gave him a $1,500-a-month raise (18K/yr) and then proceeded to move him to another team and out from under his existing boss. LOL he says the move was probably the sweetest part and hears rumors that his old manager should be gone by June 1.

That's the frustrating side of office politics, and having a manager that has no business being a manager. It's appropriate that he got fired, anyone in ANY position that shows that kind of negligence towards their responsibilities should be relieved of them.

[Roscoe]

You could always work 124hrs per week....