As recruiters we hear a lot of different reasons as to why someone may want to leave a job.

A lot of them are very valid – not enough progression, been at the company for a long time, moving to a new location etc. etc.

However, we also speak to a high amount of people who, once we dig deeper, simply want a little more cash. They like their job but feel they are underpaid.

It is at this point that we stop them in their tracks and offer some advice. Here’s how they (and you) could keep the enjoyable job but earn that bit extra.

 

What & Why?

Basically, WHAT do you want and WHY do you want it?

Establish these points before you do anything.

You need substance behind your demand. You should go into the meeting with your manager with REASONS why you feel you should be paid more.

It could be one or more of many things – not had a pay increase for years, your job is now more demanding, you have been promoted but the pay stayed the same – but you must have something more than simply ‘I’d like more money’.

Before you do anything, sort this part out in your head and write it down.

Next, Ask!

You’d be surprised how many people will moan about their pay packet but when you ask what they what they have done about it they reply ‘well, nothing’.

There seems to be an expectation that companies should come to us and shower us with more money. Aside from the fairly standard yearly increases, it is just a simple fact that your business will not fall over itself to give you more money. Why would they?

Put yourself in the shoes of an owner of an SME business – would you give a random pay increase to someone in your business if you didn’t know they were unhappy about their current pay? Slim chance.

So this brings us to the next point – ASK!

Clearly there are ways to do this, and you don’t want to enter the meeting with a ‘Wolf of Wall Street’ mentality, but a calm, reasoned approach will be well received.

Many managers will be so pleased that you have actually discussed the problem with them as opposed to bringing it up at the point you hand your notice in.

Think like a Manager

Fear is a big reason why people shy away from asking for a pay increase. It is an uncomfortable situation and you can convince yourself of 100 reasons not to do it.

But put yourself in your Manager’s shoes. Assuming you are good at your job, your Manager will not want to lose you.

It is going to cost them money to replace you and it is going to take a lot of their time. Worst of all, they may even need to spend a few weeks talking to Recruitment Consultants…!

With that in mind, do you think they are going to be angry/upset that you have shown the maturity to have a grown-up chat and give them chance to remedy the issue?

Of course not. You may have just saved them a lot of time and cash.

Always remember that good people are hard to find. If you genuinely believe that you add value to your business then follow the points above and don’t be afraid to ask for what you’re worth.

You will not be marched out of the front door and a simple short conversation could just be the answer to you having fulfilment at work.

Good luck.