When is the right time to ask for a raise?

This can be a tricky situation. Asking for more money is always a tough thing to do. It needs to be done with tact, otherwise all they see is a money hungry employee who is trying to leach off of the company. Usually, my employers have offered more money on their own, either because I was leaving and they wanted me to stay, or I was being promoted or given more responsibility. The rule of thumb on asking for a raise: if you feel your current responsibilities have far outgrown your original duties or responsibilities, it is time.

Twice that has happened to me and both times I requested a raise. It was not a matter of wanting more money; it was about needing more money. Companies most times will distribute tasks and restructure an Organizational Chart in order to save money. For example, they let someone go and split up that person’s tasks and assign them to other people in the department instead of hiring a replacement. That’s great for the company, but lousy for you. Of course, added responsibilities are a part of life; they show your supervisors your ability to handle more on your plate and thus, get promoted. However, when it feels that you are doing the work of two people, it may be time to evaluate if your compensation is adequate.

The first time I asked for a raise, I had been working for about a year as a Receptionist/Administrative Assistant. When they realized I could do more than type, file and answer phones, they quickly started loading up my plate with additional tasks. That was fine until I realized I was doing not only my job, but that of an Office Engineer. At someone’s suggestion, I typed out a list of my Daily Tasks and it nearly filled the whole page. I requested a meeting with my Project Manager and pointed out how my duties had doubled since I started on the Project and if I could possibly be compensated accordingly. He took my list and discussed it with the Project Executive and a couple of days later, notified me that they were going to pay me an additional $3 per hour.

The second time was with the same company. About a year or so after the first incident, I had taken on the role of assistant to the Change Order department. They had already increased my salary to reflect the change in position. A couple of months after working with their Change Management consultant, they switched him over to another project and left me in charge of the whole department. Since the department consisted of the consultant and myself at the time, that left only me. I was responsible for processing all of the Change Orders for the project, from initiation to completion. I lasted about a month or two before I started feeling completely overwhelmed and taken advantage of. I approached the new Project Manager and explained my dilemma. He understood, and saw how stressed out I was becoming. He talked to our Project Executive, as well as our Client, to see if they would not mind paying more for my position. I already had the back up plan that if they did not give me a raise, I was leaving. So for me, there was no real loss. Thankfully, they appreciated my efforts and showed me monetarily.

Every single time however, I have had the proof to back up my request. I show them how much of an asset I am to the company, in that they get their money’s worth and how the added responsibilities to my role merits additional compensation. If done right, it proves to your supervisors that you know your own worth and are willing to stick up for yourself.

While you were at USC...

While I was at USC, I commuted throughout my years, so I was not as involved as most students in on-campus activities. What I did do was work on campus the whole time, and that is what provided me with my fondest memories. I was really shy when I first started going to SC, so being forced to interact with other students in order to get a job done allowed me to come out of my shell. Some of my best friends from school are co-workers that I met during my time working at the USC Orientation Office. Even my supervisor at the time became a close friend and we still keep in touch to this day. Not only did I work during the school year, but one or two summers I kept on full time for the Orientation Office since that was the busy season: getting the entire incoming freshman and transfer students up to speed before the first day of school. It was always hectic and crazy, but fun and rewarding at the same time. Working has always provided the best experience for me, not only professionally but personally as well. Over three quarters of my friends right now I met through work. There is something about spending 6 to 8 hours a day straight with someone, they know you better than your family sometimes! Another person that was very pivotal in my time at school was my boss Rose – during my time off from school, I started working for a Sole Proprietor who did Environmental Consulting. She was the best person to work for because not only did I learn so much, but she constantly reinforced my need to finish my education and recognized my talents and abilities. The confident person I am today I can partly attribute to working with Rose on and off for over 4 years. She was not only a boss, but a mentor and a friend. I am pretty lucky to have had wonderful people in my life that believed in me and showed me the way, with patience and love.

Dude, where's my money? What to expect when first starting your career.

Expect to work your butt off and not have much of a social life!
Just kidding.

On a serious note though, in the beginning, it is all about building the foundation for your career. Money is usually not a driving factor for negotiations or job security. When you are fresh out of school, the experience is not there to let your resume speak for itself.

You need to earn the respect of your peers and superiors and put in the hours to grow and learn. I am not advocating working long hours or letting your career consume your life, however, your dedication and drive is what will push you up that “corporate” ladder. The pay might not be that great for that first job, but you need to think bigger picture.

You need to see down the road and factor in where this job will lead you. If it provides networking opportunities and hands-on education for that management position you see yourself in, then the experience is worth its weight in gold.

When we get caught up in making money the main focus, we lose sight of our overall goals. Yes, money is going to be ONE of those goals, but bigger picture is financial security, financial freedom and ability to “play” when the opportunities present themselves. Someone once told me “Do what you love, and the money will follow.” Some of the best advice I have ever received, because working for the money will not bring the love for what you do! When you do what you love, you have the best of both worlds as I mentioned when I wrote about the importance of fostering your passions.

Another important motto should be “All in due time.” There is no need to rush through life or race your way to retirement. For some that works, but for a lot of us, it leaves us frustrated, resentful and burnt out.

Take your time, learn all you can, build up a diverse set of skills, allow doors to open from various directions. You never know where your career path will take you. All you should focus on is: working at a job you enjoy, not living outside of your means and saving, saving, saving!