Blog Minx

This isn’t strictly advice on how to get a pay rise because I am no expert. But I had an experience once which taught me a few things.

I’d been working for a company for 12 months. I’d recently been given more responsibility and work so I felt I deserved more than my current wage. I prepared my speech, making a list of my achievements, new skills I’d acquired and the latest changes to my role. I made an appointment with my manager and wore a black power outfit to work that day. I was going to be firm. I was going to be awesome.

Trouble was, my manager was a quite intimidating figure, always super-smooth and controlled, with an intense stare which either threw me into silence or reduced me to a stuttering mess. So the conversation went like this:

Manager: Hi there [warm smile]. Now, I realise you’re looking for some clarity regarding your role and workload. We’re looking for someone who can blah blah blah. Do you think you’d be able to help us with that?
Me: Oh, yes definitely. I’m always willing to take on new challenges. I also fe–
Manager: Great. Well, we’ll really appreciate your involvement. Now I have a meeting, so–
Me: It’s just… I really-feel-that-with-this-extra-workload-I-deserve-a-pay rise [I swear, here my voice rose to an unfamiliar squeak, like the teenage boy on The Simpsons. My hands shook, my face flushed... it was not how I'd imagined!].
Manager: [Sighing heavily] We really don’t have the budget at the moment. But in three months’ time…
Me: [Meekly] Okay.

Now, it turned out that in three months’ time I did get a good pay rise. But I still don’t feel I handled the situation well enough. I hadn’t agreed on a fixed increase and nothing was in writing, so it was really good luck that that amount came through.

It’s all about having:

• A killer resume. It’s all in the presentation. No hearts or stickers.
• References. Always ask for a reference, they’re handy things.
• Business cards. I’ve never had them and I keep reading that every self-respecting worker should get some made.
• Done my homework. What are people in similar positions making?
• A power outfit. Doesn’t have to cost the earth, just so I feel good and look good.
• Faith in myself.

What about you? Any experiences with salary negotiations?