Has anyone successfully negotiated a pay rise?

[onemorebite]

How did you manage it? I've never really had to ask for one before but although I actually quite like my current job - for the first time in many years, the salary isn't sustainable in the long term. According to one agent I am getting paid about 2/3rds of what I should be getting.

Any hints or tips?

Thanks

I have although my manager knew that I was being paid less than my 'market rate' - I still am, however I know that the company can't afford to pay me any more at the moment.

I armed myself with job adverts for similar jobs in similar organisations (sector, size, location etc - all of these have a bearing on salaries) which showed the salary ranges on offer, and also the reasons why I felt I deserved a pay rise - not just based on market rates, but also what you do for your employer over & above - extra hours, if you have saved the company any money/improved efficiencies etc etc. Also say how much you enjoy your job etc, and that you feel loyal to the organisation, however in the long term, you don't feel that you could carry on in the job.

However, I must point out that you need to be sympathetic to the companies financial situation, and sometimes them acknowledging that they should be paying you more but can't afford to at the moment may stand you in good stead in the future. Many organisations haven't been able to afford salary increases for a number of years so this could well be the case.

Good luck!

Is it a private company or a public company?
Also,is that sector in a recession?
How long have you worked for them?

You need to be armed with lots of evidence about the market rate for your job and then ask your manager to take a look at it. I have done this twice and said "here's the benchmark data, I trust you to do what you think is fair". Got a rise that exceeded my expectations first time and met them second time. They can only say no and then you know to get looking.