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Subject:RE: Ask for a raise? Or pack my bags? From:"Rick Quatro" <rick -at- rickquatro -dot- com> To:"'TECHWR-L Writing'" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com> Date:Tue, 23 Jun 2015 14:19:48 -0400
The national average isn't always a good indicator because you have to look
at other factors like cost of living, commute time, quality of life, etc.
There is another important factor: do you like your job and the people you
work with? Is it challenging, engaging, and satisfying.
The most important factor is this: what will the market bear in your area?
You may think your job/work is worth $50-60K, but can you actually make that
much somewhere else? I would find that out before you ask for a raise. That
way, if they say no, you will have other options. Let's face it; you are
very unlikely to get a raise from $32K to 50K in the same company. So you
will need to know what else is out there in terms of opportunities and pay.
Rick
Rick Quatro
Carmen Publishing Inc.
585-366-4017
rick -at- frameexpert -dot- com
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+rick=rickquatro -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+rick=rickquatro -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On Behalf
Of RaphaelWorkman -at- comcast -dot- net
Sent: Monday, June 22, 2015 7:32 PM
To: TECHWR-L Writing
Subject: Ask for a raise? Or pack my bags?
Hello tech writers:
I don't know where else to turn for advice.
Is it a risk to my job security to ask my supervisor or an HR employee for a
raise or work from home privileges? I earn an anonymous amount of money
between $36K and $38K annually. I was hired 3.5 years ago at $32K. I just
found out the national average is around $60K. I'm feeling undervalued with
long hours long commute and low-ish pay for my field. I used to be allowed 2
days/wk work from home and just to come in on those days for occasional
meetings. I was told our new building is new and nice and I am now expected
to be in the office every day. I've been with this company for 8 years total
and 3 years as an above-average tech writer, content developer (Adobe
Captivate and Articulate Storyline), and instructional designer. I
write/develop for a department of 1,000 people in 2 states in call centers
that support all of the security system installers for US and Puerto Rico.
The subject matter is highly technical including hardware, software, and
troubleshooting. I came up th rough the ranks 4 years troubleshooting and
programming, one year leading and training, and 3 years as a tech writer
with many "other duties as assigned." I imagine my job/work is worth at
least $50K. Am I delusional? Should I just be happy to even have a job at
all? FYI I'm too nervous to strike out on my own as a free-lance contractor
type but I'm looking around at places like Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and
Jeppesen. I'm in my mid 30's and I'm old enough to wish for a company from
which I could retire, but I think I may be deluding myself to think this
could happen where I am. There are no similar jobs in my company that are
just a step up from where I am, and none of my peers makes very much money.
With my annual "merit increases" being anywhere from 0% to 3.1% I don't see
myself making very much money in the future. I can't really bring this up to
my boss or HR without a strategy because I fear once they know I want a lot
more money they may begin quietly looking to repl ace me.
Advice?
Thanks,
Raphael
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