NEW YORK (AP) — Something big is happening in the United States. Significant slowdown in employment,it is A daunting time to look for a job. Many workers remain in their current jobs instead of changing jobs to secure better wages. Artificial intelligence tools are increasingly screening applicant resumes. Now may seem like the wrong time to ask for a raise.
But continuing to work doesn’t mean your wages and salaries have to stagnate. Career experts say there’s nothing wrong with that. unstable economyto demand payment commensurate with one’s worth. Salary increases are not necessarily off the table Organizations that are downsizingaccording to some experts.
“Many people wonder if their company has done something. temporary layoff“While that may be true, another way to think about it is that this company has already made a decision to reinvest by keeping you,” said Jamie Cohn, senior director of human resources at Gartner, a business research and advisory firm.
This article is part of AP’s Be Well coverage, which focuses on wellness, fitness, diet and mental health. Read more Hope you are well.
When should I ask?
If you’ve taken on more responsibility at work, received a high performance review, or found yourself excelling. paid significantly less than co-workers Or if you have a competitor with a similar level of experience, it may be the right time to ask for a salary adjustment.
“They know you’re taking on more work, especially if you’ve been working. temporary layoff “At that point, it’s very difficult for the team to lose an employee that they now rely on even more,” Cohn continued.
Another signal that it’s time to seek an adjustment is when: do a side job To make ends meet or current financial situation is causing anxiety It impacts work performance, says Rodney Williams, co-founder of community finance platform Solo Funds.
“There’s nothing wrong with saying, ‘We need to improve our financial situation. I’m going to try harder,'” Williams said. “You can come earlier, or you can leave later. I’m probably going to help out, and I’m going to do other things here.”
Some people believe that seeking more compensation is less risky than moving to a new job. “There’s a sense that you don’t want to be ‘last in, first out’ in a situation where there’s a possibility of layoffs,” Cohn said.
know your worth
Before you start discussing compensation, find out about their current salary. Searching websites like Glassdoor, which self-reports salaries, and ZipRecruiter, which collects salary data from job postings and other sources, can give you an idea of what people in your industry with comparable experience are making.
Three years ago, Cohn said, many people were asking for 20% raises because of rising prices and high turnover due to the coronavirus pandemic. Companies no longer consider such major changes.
“At this point, I think I can say I’m worth 10%, but if I ask for a 10% raise, I’m unlikely to get one,” she said.
Your success also depends on your current situation performance review. “If you’re given additional responsibilities or are performing at a level that could lead to promotion, it may be worth asking for a higher amount,” Cohn said.
Compare notes with colleagues
Many people consider this topic taboo, but telling your co-workers what you’re making and asking them if they’re making more money might prove beneficial. A trusted colleague in a similar role could be a source of information. Cohn said those who have been recently hired or promoted may be able to find out what’s going on in the market.
“You can say, ‘Hey, I’m trying to make sure I’m being paid fairly. Do you make more than $X or less than $X?’ This is one of the phrases I use a lot, and it gets people into a healthy discussion,” said Sam DeMase, career expert at ZipRecruiter. “People are more interested in talking about salary than you think.”
You can also reach out to former employees who may be more willing to compare salaries than current colleagues, Demers said.
boast sheet
Track your accomplishments and positive feedback on your work. Condense it into a single document that HR professionals call a “brag sheet,” says DeMase. If you’re making your request in writing, list your accomplishments when requesting a raise. If the request is made in a conversation, you can use the list as a talking point.
Be sure to include any tasks or responsibilities that are not normally included in the job description. “Employers want their employees to do more with less, so we need to document everything we do outside of our job duties,” Demers said.
Also, evaluate the unique skills and traits you bring to the team.
“People tend to overestimate an employer’s alternatives,” said Emily Epstein, CEO of Oakbay Consulting, who teaches negotiation courses at Harvard University and the University of California, Berkeley. “I think they can just hire a bunch of people, but maybe we bring expertise to our roles that is hard to replace.”
timing is important
Don’t ask for a raise when your boss is hungry or at the end of a long day. Because the answer is likely to be no. Epstein’s advice comes as the company offers training in communication, dispute resolution and other business skills. If they’re well-rested and feeling good, they’re more likely to succeed, she said.
Epstein said it’s probably easier to get a raise in a fast-growing field such as cybersecurity, but it can be a difficult time to ask for a raise if you work in an industry that is cutting back on positions.
Similarly, if you wait for the right time, you risk missing out on the chance to assert yourself.
“You can wait forever until your boss is well rested or has more resources,” Epstein said. “So don’t wait forever.”
Responding to “no”
Even if your request is denied, filing a request may help you prepare for future negotiations.
Epstein suggested asking your boss why it’s difficult to say yes. “Is the precedent you’re trying to set in this position potentially difficult to follow? Is it fair to other people in my position? Is it something the company is struggling with right now?” she said.
Demers said he would ask when the conversation would resume and if he could get a deadline in writing.
Laura Crerar, an executive assistant at a Louisiana university, recently earned a master’s degree and asked for a change in her job description to reflect more responsibility and, hopefully, a higher salary. Her boss was kind, but turned her down, citing financial constraints. Crerar said he has no regrets.
“I was proud of myself for doing it,” she said. “You should know where you stand.”
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