Submitted by jeff6678 on
in
Forums
Hi everyone!
I have been working for an internet retail company for 2 years. When I was hired, they pay was lower than what I was looking for, $9/hr, but it offered great flexibility like the ability to work hours ranging from 20-40 a week. I am just about to finish my Undergrad degree in Management this December at the age of 31 and will be starting an MBA program in September.
Since my start here I have found new projects for myself and have gotten very modest raises, from $9/hr to $9.75. I just completed a presentation for a new quality control program along with the implementation of new operational systems, which they loved and want to start immediately.
With the economy being what it is right now, the message from the top is to keep hours as lean as possible. I have recently been capped at 25 hours a week, just under the limit for aquiring health insurace (it wasnt worth the money regardless)
I feel the possibility of a raise of any kind is a pipe dream, yet the program I just designed and am implementing cost me around $20,000. (My college education costs thus far.) I can't help but feel they are getting some great work for real cheap.
Do I hold on till December then try to find a full time position elsewhere or do I get tough and ask to be compensated for my work? I feel like I am in a bad position, since the economy here in Detroit is AWFUL, the likelyhood of me finding another job being so low, yet I feel as if I am worth much more than I am being paid.
Thanks,
Jeff in Detroit
You've been compensated...
You were hired at a wage, and now you want more. It's natural. Getting tough won't work. They paid you, you did the work. No mulligans in the labor market.
This thread is a must read for everyone on the forums. It covers a lot of what's on your mind:
http://www.manager-tools.com/forums-1529
(it starts slow, but once US41 joins the conversation, it becomes a must-read)
So now the question is, what to do? You could ask: "I want to be making 11.50 an hour. How do I get there?" And then base your next steps on their answer. Retailers aren't necessarily in a position to give great raises right now.
You may need to seek a job elsewhere. You may need to tough it out there for a while.
I've never met anyone who thought they were paid more than they were worth. If you want to know what you're really worth, put together an MT resume, and see what the market is paying for people with your skills. Remember: price is determined by supply and demand.
John Hack
One more thread
http://www.manager-tools.com/forums-2442
Also directly addresses your questions.
John
Jeff- Get tough? I don'
Jeff-
Get tough? I don' think that's an apt analogy.
That's not the way to get a raise. You get a raise by delivering more value or promising more value, or - more dnagerously, - threaning to take value away (quitting). Most managers don't *know* this, but they act upon it anyway.
Stay where you are. KEEP YOUR JOB. Keep your head down and value delivery UP. Mouth shut, ears open.
Look elsewhere. Find out what you want to do, and where you want to do it, and for how much, and your search will narrow itself.
Stay frosty.
Mark
Thanks!
John and Mark,
Thanks for the advice. I have some family telling me otherwise, but deep down I knew that your advice was the path to take, I just needed a little help seeing it that way.
I am new to Manager Tools, but here to stay.
As a soon to be college graduate, I have found myself asking this quesiton.
If I am getting a Business Degree from a tier 1 reasearch univiersity, why am I learning all of this information from a podcast? Why doesnt my University have ANYTHING about the real world?
The answer is because they know nothing of it. They are mostly (85%) academics with zero real world experience.
Thanks for the real education.
Jeff in Detroit