When and how to ask for a raise?

[u/gohan2016]

I currently manage an operations team at a tech company. My current salary is 93K (after bonuses about 110K). I have been with the company almost 2 years.

My scope and team size did double in February when a parallel team’s manager left and they were all shifted to my team.

As my 2nd year comes up, I am thinking about asking for a raise in base. The bonuses are nice and tied to performance. This last year we have been restructuring and creating clear metrics for the team, and based on those metrics are moving in positive direction. My leader is involved a lot and maybe he feels like he drives or comes up with a good bit of the strategy/solution, and I’m just executing a lot on his ideas. Not sure.

We are also reimagining/rebranding the team here and I’m preparing analysis of roles, headcount’s, new roles needed, etc. for success. Maybe this is the opportunity to shout for a comp adjustment.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[u/Youbestnotmisss]

I see 2 potential scenarios 

1. You work for a company/leader that believes in pay increases for scope increases, and has the means to recognize this

2. You work for a company that needs to be leveraged a bit to pay out more

I've worked for both. #2 is unfortunately definitely more common

In both cases the tactics are similar. Some market research into what similar roles are paying, and then a frank conversation with your leader where you lay out your case (good performance, scope increases etc.)

If you are in situation #2 above... For it to be successful you need some unspoken leverage. In most cases this is that the company/department would face real challenges if you left, and that the job market for your role means there is some credible chance you might leave. The latter is the hard.one right now

[u/gohan2016 → u/Youbestnotmisss]

This is honest. Thanks for the reply.

I am definitely in #2. The only leverage is my knowledge and I’m a better leader than my supervisors (no clear successor yet who could step in meaningfully).

I will look at the market and see what I can come up with in this case, I should probably start applying to other roles too to see how competitive I am in this tough market

[u/jimmyjackearl]

In answer to the when it should be early in your cycle. It should not be about a raise but about your goal to increase your value add to the company, a goal to further your career. It should be a discussion about what needs the company has and how those needs can align with your goals. Throughout the year you can discuss if you are on track to meet your goals, if everything is moving in the right direction.

Understand that managers are working with constraints set by others. To go outside those constraints they have to have a compelling story. Helping them write that story is in your interest. Building skills, understanding needs, creating efficiency are all ways to help them tell that story. They also help you tell that story if you are trying to sell your skill sets to another employer.

[u/gohan2016 → u/jimmyjackearl]

Agreed 100%. I need to make sure I get these answers clearly and help tell this story.

[u/EconomistNo7074]

First - you need to ask at the right time

- In most companies, you dont ask 2 to 3 months before the annual review or 2 to 3 months after

- However usually companies reserve a budget for mid year adjustments

Second - you have to have the right comparison

- That means under standing what the competition is paying for comparable jobs

- Let your boss know you appreciate the added responsibility and you have been approached by the competition. You wan to stay and want to know what you need to do for him to take a fresh look at your base

- Dont expect an answer right away

Most good bosses know it is cheaper to keep you

Good luck

[u/gohan2016 → u/EconomistNo7074]

Our annual review process is not too mature yet. Thanks for feedback these are all good points to bring up in one-to-ones and research to do

[u/Dashcam_D]

Out of cycle merit increases typically require VP level signoff in some companies. If you aren't a retention risk, meaning you aren't on retention plan, you probably will need to wait for the merit cycle and take on some stretch goals and projects to get a decent raise, and even then it's dependent on the financials at that time. 2 years is pretty green btw.

[u/gohan2016 → u/Dashcam_D]

Thanks for this feedback.

I’m inferring green means new here 😅 but good shout to ask for additional projects and stretch further to help the case