You are worth more money than you are offered
Let’s talk about money.
Are you making what you want to make right now? Are you making what you think you deserve to make right now? Chances are, the answer to both of those questions is no.
Your company is all about the bottom line (and this is true even if you work in a nonprofit.) They want to spend as little as possible to make as much as possible. Have you shopped around for a cheaper option? Have you been asked to cut costs and do more with less?
That mentality applies to salaries too, even if they aren’t saying that part out loud. They want to have the best labor at the lowest possible price. But, the thing is, new employees are expensive. Salary rates have gone up since the time you started at your current job.
If you left your job, they’d have to pay someone more to replace you.
It is much much harder to negotiate a pay raise from your current employer, however, than it is to negotiate with a new job. They will be looking at things like “precedent,” “salary bands,” and “previous ranges.” Even if you can quantify the value you bring to the company, they will find excuses to not pay you more.
I found out that someone was making $20K more than me with 0 years of experience compared to my 10. So, I demanded a raise. But the company hemmed and hawed and strung me along for 8 months and I eventually decided to leave because my value couldn’t wait.
When they finally came around with an offer worth that $20K, I had an offer in hand for $35K more.
The best chance of getting paid what you’re worth is to find a new job. The second best option is to get an offer and try to negotiate with your current employer.
Either way, if you’re not getting paid what you’re worth, look elsewhere. You’ll find the salary you deserve one way or the other.
👉What we’re reading and listening to:
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