The one thing I hear all the time from people is "I wish I made more money! I am not getting paid enough! How can I make more money?" As a HR Professional and someone who has been able to successfully negotiate her pay and got a nice raise that turned into a promotion. So here are some tips and my own testimonial on how I have successfully upped my salary.
So to begin my journey in regards to my career, I started in retail, as many of you know retail doesn't pay very well and you really have to hustle to make those numbers. I worked in retail from my senior year of high school till my junior year of college. After that I knew I needed to make it into the business world, because no matter what industry you get in every job expects some sort of experience. My first "Big Girl Job" was as an event specialist for a telecommunication company, that was short lived. I ended up in HR shortly after that, which was what I was getting my education in. Ever since then I have climbed up the ladder from Human Resources Intern to now Human Resources Generalist.
When I first got hired as an HR Associate I settled for whatever salary they gave me for two reasons, first I was still in the middle of my Bachelor's program and second I just wanted a job in the HR world after my internship. Once I graduated with my Bachelor's I knew I could ask for more money, so I did my research and asked for what the market was telling me I should get paid during my annual review. To my surprise I ended up with a 35% pay raise and promotion! I ended up getting bored at my job, there were changes happening that I didn't agree with and it was starting to become a toxic environment. I was coming close to graduation with my double MBA and said to myself, "Adriana, you need to get yourself in a better job." I started looking for a new job, and within about 6 weeks I got a job offer. I was told by the talent acquisition associate what they were thinking about giving me a certain number, I asked for $5K more, because as any person who went to school for business, you know you have to negotiate. Usually when a company gives you an offer that is the lowest number of the range they have decided for you, so ALWAYS NEGOTIATE! Well, they surpassed my expectations and gave me $10K more. I ended up going into the new job making 56% more money than I was making in my previous job (excluding bonuses and amazing benefits). If a company cannot give you more money ask for more vacation time or for your insurance to start right when you start working with them.
So after reading all of that, I know what you are thinking. "What?! But, How?! That is a huge difference in income!" Well, since I want to see all of you successful as well, I will tell you how to get the same results.
1. Start making a list of all that you do in your current position. A good way to do this is to look at your current job description and the job position above you. If for whatever reason you do not have it, your HR department usually will. Do not be scared to ask for it, we are pretty nice people. You will be presenting this to your manager when asking for the raise.
2. Look on the following sites or similar sites for your market value, this way you get proof from 3 different sites.
-Glassdoor.com
-Payscale.com
-Simplyhired.com
**Ladies, do not put that you are a woman. Unfortunately we live in a society that believes that women should be paid less than men. Put male, if you don't they will give you a lower salary. Also, do not put your ethnicity, we all know that women of color get paid less than white men that do the same job.
3. Look into how good your benefits are, this includes health care, 401K/retirement accounts, PTO, discounts, work/life balance, bonuses, etc. Makes sure to add this before making your final numbers, so if your benefits are out of this world don't go crazy asking for a high amount. If your benefits are horrible ask for the higher range that you get from the salary estimators.
4. Make that meeting with your direct manager, do not go over their head and go to their boss and do not go to HR. It is your manager's responsibility to ask the correct people for your desired raise. Make sure you have everything in order such as your market value from the 3 different sites above, your recent accomplishments, your duties, certifications and education.
Always keep in mind that your worth the money, if a company doesn't think so you have the right to leave and find something better (unless you are on a contract). I do not care how long you have been in the same company, always be loyal to yourself, your whole self! This includes your health, mental well being, spiritual well being and everything else. One thing I can tell you that I have learned in my short career is that you always need to be loyal to yourself, there will always be a replacement for you in the business world. I have been brutally honest with people and have said "Your self worth in your career is your salary, if your boss doesn't pay or treat you as they should, they do not see the value of you". If for whatever reason you do not get the pay you are looking for you can go elsewhere, there is nothing wrong with going to a new company to get what you think you deserve.
Good luck and go get that money!
Con Amor,
Adriana 💕
When I first got hired as an HR Associate I settled for whatever salary they gave me for two reasons, first I was still in the middle of my Bachelor's program and second I just wanted a job in the HR world after my internship. Once I graduated with my Bachelor's I knew I could ask for more money, so I did my research and asked for what the market was telling me I should get paid during my annual review. To my surprise I ended up with a 35% pay raise and promotion! I ended up getting bored at my job, there were changes happening that I didn't agree with and it was starting to become a toxic environment. I was coming close to graduation with my double MBA and said to myself, "Adriana, you need to get yourself in a better job." I started looking for a new job, and within about 6 weeks I got a job offer. I was told by the talent acquisition associate what they were thinking about giving me a certain number, I asked for $5K more, because as any person who went to school for business, you know you have to negotiate. Usually when a company gives you an offer that is the lowest number of the range they have decided for you, so ALWAYS NEGOTIATE! Well, they surpassed my expectations and gave me $10K more. I ended up going into the new job making 56% more money than I was making in my previous job (excluding bonuses and amazing benefits). If a company cannot give you more money ask for more vacation time or for your insurance to start right when you start working with them.
So after reading all of that, I know what you are thinking. "What?! But, How?! That is a huge difference in income!" Well, since I want to see all of you successful as well, I will tell you how to get the same results.
1. Start making a list of all that you do in your current position. A good way to do this is to look at your current job description and the job position above you. If for whatever reason you do not have it, your HR department usually will. Do not be scared to ask for it, we are pretty nice people. You will be presenting this to your manager when asking for the raise.
2. Look on the following sites or similar sites for your market value, this way you get proof from 3 different sites.
-Glassdoor.com
-Payscale.com
-Simplyhired.com
**Ladies, do not put that you are a woman. Unfortunately we live in a society that believes that women should be paid less than men. Put male, if you don't they will give you a lower salary. Also, do not put your ethnicity, we all know that women of color get paid less than white men that do the same job.
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| Credit: HuffPost |
3. Look into how good your benefits are, this includes health care, 401K/retirement accounts, PTO, discounts, work/life balance, bonuses, etc. Makes sure to add this before making your final numbers, so if your benefits are out of this world don't go crazy asking for a high amount. If your benefits are horrible ask for the higher range that you get from the salary estimators.
4. Make that meeting with your direct manager, do not go over their head and go to their boss and do not go to HR. It is your manager's responsibility to ask the correct people for your desired raise. Make sure you have everything in order such as your market value from the 3 different sites above, your recent accomplishments, your duties, certifications and education.
Always keep in mind that your worth the money, if a company doesn't think so you have the right to leave and find something better (unless you are on a contract). I do not care how long you have been in the same company, always be loyal to yourself, your whole self! This includes your health, mental well being, spiritual well being and everything else. One thing I can tell you that I have learned in my short career is that you always need to be loyal to yourself, there will always be a replacement for you in the business world. I have been brutally honest with people and have said "Your self worth in your career is your salary, if your boss doesn't pay or treat you as they should, they do not see the value of you". If for whatever reason you do not get the pay you are looking for you can go elsewhere, there is nothing wrong with going to a new company to get what you think you deserve.
Good luck and go get that money!
Con Amor,
Adriana 💕
