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career advise needed *urgent*

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by roy_minton

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Recently I changed jobs and came to work for my current employer. I'm 21 and I have been working professionally in the IT field for 4 years. I was hired on here at an entry level position. Recently I discovered that there are more then a few people I work with without any prior expierience who are making more than I do. I've only been at my current job for 90 days and I'm not sure how to approach my manager to discuss this. Its not that I think I believe I deserve more money but I do feel that I deserve to make what the other entry level employees are. I could really use some advise on how to handle this situation.

11 replies

by mrafrohead

I don't think that you want to discuss this with your employer. If I was you, I would do one of two things.

First, either find a new job with a new employer and negotiate a higher wage.

Or you can do your best at your job and wait for your evaluation. Your employer will see the hard work that you have put in and should adjust your pay accordingly.

The reason that I wouldn't talk to your employer about your pay is that you should have negotiated that during your hiring process. Also,that's not something that you want to talk about with other employees, and that fact could get your boss pretty steamed...

I hope that this helps you out.

mrafrohead

by jimhm

It's a little early to be bitching at the boss about money. They more and likely will say - you accepted the offer, we would of offered you more if you turned down the initial one but you accepted it.

And many places (depending on the state)havea policy that salary discussion is groups for dismissal ... better check..

So I would take this as a learning lession that at the next job - state your salary requirements. Sound like you didn't do your home work and expected the company to pay you more ... than you felt you were worth...

by generalist

Are these people doing the same job that you are doing? It may be that they have less experience in your areas of expertise but more in other areas.

There may also be a chance that they transferred in from other departments, keeping their old pay rates while learning new skills. Promotion from within can be a loyalty builder that retains valuable employees after they gain the new skills.

Another possibility is that they were hired during a tight labor market so the pay rate needed to behigher. Your hiring during the last 90 days would put you in a labor market where the employer dictates price.

You may want to keep quiet and investigate things before you take action. Unless you're head and shoulders above everybody in all areas, up to and including special 'ins' with the boss, taking the wrong type of action could be a career killer.

by kevin houston

I'm afraid you made a common mistake that younger workers make. Always check the going rate before accepting an offer, and once you accept it, realize there's no going back for a while.

It's a hard lesson to learn, but the other people writing here are right. Don't complain to the boss. Either find another job where the money is right, or stick it out until evaluation time and try to negotiate things then, but never mention the fact that you know what other people are making...just keep that to yourself.

If at evaluation time, your boss refuses to negotiate an increase in your salary which better reflects your skills, training and worth to the company, then it's time to switch jobs for sure.

by roy_minton

Thank you for your advise. I've decided to wait it out. I'm coming up for a review and I am going to wait and mention it there if the situation seems friendly in that respect.

by radiic

This is good that you deceided to wait it out and let your boss evaluate your skills and see if he gives you a raise.

But you said that you will mention it if the situation seems friendly enough. I just hope that you take one of the previous posters advice and not mention that you know what fellow employees are making. Reason being is that your boss, after the review is over is going to start thinking about what you said. Then he is going to wonder how you got that information. Maybe hehacked into payroll. Maybe the staff is talking about me behind my back. etc...etc... Depending on how secure your boss feels about his position in the company. The last place I worked at the IS manager (my direct boss) did not know as much as he proclaimed he knew. And after awhile he knew that I knew he didnt know shit. Well at a couple of meetings with his boss sitting in on the meeting I burned him on accident with some info he said, and made him look like shit in front of his boss. Well lets just say that he made life miserable for me after that. Lesson learned. I have never been one to kiss up to a boss but a little groveling never hurt anyone. Just remember when you make your boss happy he will do everything he can to make you happy.

Good Luck
Rad

by jimhm

Keep a cool head about you - during the review ..

Also have all your ducks in a row (IE do you homework) - heres what I did - heres what the people I did it for thing - emails of good jobs from him - list specifics - not generalities - I did this- that and the other thing... "DONOT COMPARE YOUR PERFORMANCE TO OTHERS IN YOUR AREA" ... All reviewers will tell you flat out - we are looking at the job and you - not you and others..

Have your career goals in mind before you go in.. and what steps you think you need to make to get there.. and only talk salary if they bring it ..

Best of luck - and hope this was an educational experence.. (hey maybe they brough you in under scale - and will move you above scale - after they have seeen how you performed...)

by maxwell edison

You've only been there 3 months.

You agreed to work for $x 3 months ago.

Work your **** off for the next 9 months and prove to the company that you're worth _____ (fill in the blank).

If your boss doesn't have annual salary reviews, requestone AFTER you've been there a year. Don't fall into the trap of thinking you're worth more money simply based on what others are making. Your value will be based on how you can help the company improve the product, the process, or the profit.

Prove it first, then ask for the $$$. If you have indeed proved it, you'll get the $$$.

Don't worry about what others are making. Focus instead on proving your own worth.

Best of luck to you.

Maxwell

by t.clark

Wait until you've worked for 6 months then request a review. If you don't get the raise you want you'll have the experience to go someplace else without looking bad.

by lordinfidel

Most companies have a 90 day "trial" period for new employees. Usually after that time they are reviewed and bumped up to a normal (entry level) salary.

You may want to ask around to find out if there is that type of avenue. The best person to check that out with is HR. The good thing about HR is that whatever you discuss with them, generally remains confidential.

The other question here is, do you have a cert, IE mcp or something equivelant. If not, this may be a route you should take. Getting a cert while working for a company shows management that you are serious about your job and you are trying to advance. Most of the time they will recognize it.

Once you get it and your supervisor congradulates
you. Try dropping a subtle hint, like (jokingly) "Hey thanx, Is'nt there a reward or something like a raise". Planting the seed is 9 times out of 10 the first steps in getting a raise. Assuming that you have earned it.

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