Negotiating Salary

[blue12345]

Would love some advice. I am with a new company nearly a year. I had some time off to raise kids over the past few years, so even though I am experienced in the area, salary and title were lower than I would have liked. I didn't negotiate as loved the company and was happy with the chance to prove myself.

Now a year on and have taken on much more responsibility and am in charge of a new area that wasn't discussed in my initial interview. I am asked for advice by senior management all the time and am also way exceeding the targets set for my original role. Have been told this by CFO.

I have no idea of salary range within company, industry is v niche. How do I negotiate a title change and a significant raise?

Bump for the morning Mumsnetters!

Is annual pay review time coming up? If so I would use that as the opener, in your next one to one with your manager you say that you are aware pay review is coming up and then set out your expectations and rationale. Do it in good time as pay decisions can be hard to change once they have been set. I think you do need to do some research into market rates to support your request.

Whenever I've negotiated salary I've firstly:

researched what my salary should be (looking at other companies) and Glassdoor for intel.

I've then made a list of why I have developed/progressed and why I believe I'm underpaid.

In some instances I've even given the company a heads up that at my next review I am expecting a salary increase/promotion based on the work I have been doing, so that they are aware of my expectations.

In some instances when they have turned around and advised that they will not be offering a salary increase/promotion I have then had to find another job offer and threaten them with it (this has been my last resort when I really like the company but want a higher salary and I don't like doing it unless absolutely necessary)

In some circumstances I've even gone to head office and asked them to tell me the average salary for my role.

I left my last role for a competitor for £20k more as soon as I found out I was the least paid (only woman) doing my job.

I know the above might sound quite ballsy but I find that honesty is the best policy with employers, I'd rather they knew my expectations and gave them the opportunity to do something before it comes down to handing in my notice. I appreciate that you're just looking for a salary increase though and not to leave.

You've got this!

@Aprilx Thank you for responding!

I have no idea how to get a salary range. It's a niche industry and the role is fully remote, with all colleagues in a different country.

Companies is not on glass door, so can't see previous employee information too.

I essentially want advice from other people who have successfully negotiated for a new title and salary, when the job spec has changed completely?

As @bibbiddybobbidyboo has suggested, it's best to be direct about your expectations in advance of salary review time. In your case it sounds like in order to get information about a market rate for your role, you'll need to go to recruiters about a new job and find out from them what the going rate is. You can then use this info in your negotiations.

I would also tell the recruiters that you are open to new roles because you're unhappy with your pay. Have some interviews if you're offered them. That way, if the salary negotiation doesn't go your way, you'll be a bit down the track of finding something else already. Best case scenario you tell your employer that you know the market rate is X, you just want to be paid that fair rate for what you do, you love the company and don't want to have to leave, so you hope that your expectations will be met at salary review time. But you can't be working at a significant discount, as that will affect your earnings for every successive year so you may need a significant uplift now to bring you to market rate.

I had this conversation in the summer. I gave the number I expected as a (lowish) market rate for what I do. I got half of what I asked for. So I'm looking for another job. I'm sure that if and when I resign, they will offer me more. Unfortunately by the time you get to that point, you're usually mentally out the door anyway and I do think there is something to be said for the argument that if your employer values you, it shouldn't take a resignation to get paid a market rate, so things are unlikely to improve long term even if you stay.

The best advice I was given was from someone who said he was always on the lookout for a new job as he wanted to know the one he had was the best on offer in terms of salary, pension, benefits etc.

Is there a demand for your line of work? Can you see what other employers are offering?

@bibbiddybobbidyboo Thank you, this is excellent advice.

I have a feeling I am on the lowest end of the salary scale. As I said, my recent experience was mixed due to reduced hours minding my child, so I didn't negotiate at all, I was confident I could prove myself once I was in the role.

I have had a conversation with senior management where they've asked me if I'm comfortable with my new work load, they have seen massive potential for the company in the new area that I have suggested we focus on, and have offered me a support staff to implement this.

I need to know how to negotiate for myself, after taking on this additional responsibility.

I really enjoy my job and don't want to jeopardise my position in the company, by seeming too demanding. But then I also think I should be paid my worth.

@darkwinterdays My experience is in demand, but it's particularly relevant to this company, which is why I'm doing so well with them.

There aren't immediate competitors that I could get a job offer from, which would obviously make it easier for me to prove my market rate.

I suffer a bit from imposter syndrome, but there's a good chance I will hit a particular monetary milestone for the company this week, which should help me with my case.

My biggest issue is that I don't want to leave, as I love the work and the people! I think they probably know that too!