how should i go about asking for a raise?
well, I've been working as a paralegal at the same place now for about 2.5 years, and have never gotten a raise. I was told when I started working here that we would get annual reviews, raises, etc. Last year I tried asking about both, a review and raise, and got the run around (saying they had to crunch numbers and would get back to me, but never did)...this past summer I tried asking again and got the run around (saying with the hirings of the two new employees they had to see what their numbers were and to wait a while before asking again).
See, the thing is, is that I really do like my job alot here, like I like the people I work with, the work I do, etc. But I'm getting annoyed with this waiting game. We don't have an HR dept - just the three partnered attorneys (who make all the decisions) - but my attorneys are not partnered attorneys.
The reason I'm starting to get ancy about it, is (well, I'm 23 with a 4 yr old daughter, before I go on) I want to buy a car by the end of the year, and my boyfriend and I want to move in together (since we sort of live far away from eachother)...but with the salary i'm on now, i'm barely making it paycheck to paycheck with the bills i have currently...but to add a car (plus the car payments, insurance, etc), and then the possibility of an apartment (rent/utilities), i need a raise.
i don't want to poormouth when i go in, but i do want my boss to understand that i'd like some sort of compensation, especially something to keep my morale up here (I don't want to feel like i'm going to be stuck at the same salary, taking on more responsibilities daily, for years on end)...
can someone please give me some advice on this? serious answers only!
i appreciate it!
Okay look - I've taken on more responsibilities in the 2.5 years I've been here than the majority of my colleagues - I started out under 1 attorney, which I now have 5 and have never gotten compensated for my ever increasing workload. I am not looking for a huge raise, just cost of living (though more would be nice). Everyone i've talked to in my field thinks it's outrageous that a paralegal could take on up to 5 attorneys and not be compensated - most law firms will give you a bonus or raise for taking on additional attorneys.
As far as looking - there aren't really any paralegal openings around my area (pittsburgh) that would work (trust me, I have a head hunter whom I spoke to last night looking for me)
As far as the car goes - I was planning on buying used.
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You need to schedule a meeting with whoever makes decisions regarding salarys. Print out an agenda for your meeting with bullet points on why you deserve a raise. Two and a half years is a long time to go without a raise. Also, if you have other benefits such as health, dental, 401k, etc., has the cost to you gone up? Make sure your list of why you deserve a raise is complete and in detail. Include any added responsibilities you have assumed but not been compensated for. Also, be prepared to be denied it again, it doesn’t sound like this firm is looking out for employees too well if you have gone that long without being rewarded or even given a cost of living raise. Then you will have to decide whether to stay or go.
theres a global recession on right now and you have a (relatively) cushy job.
are you really that disgruntled? because there are other paralegal jobs out there if you dont mind putting yourself back on the job market.
but asking for a raise with no fall back will put you in a position of weakness in your daily dealings with management. that will feel worse I GUARANTEE it
.
you will walk out with your tail between your legs and you will be grumpier than you ever thought possible.
if i were you i think i would wait until the next review period and ask what THEY feel you should do to make yourself more financially valuable to them. if you are willing to just take on new work daily and not grumble thats one thing but it may be for the wrong reasons.
there are a few good reasons for doing someone else’s work
i will help out and i will stay late, when someone is away or ill, but i will not (and i have made this quite clear) do the work of someone else who has simply decided he/she doesnt feel like it.
that is not a good reason, so if you are doing that then you have been a patsy.
as for the car, if you cant afford it then you cant. but if you can do used rather than new then maybe you should. used cars are really cheap now that new prices have dropped too.
If you go in with a well thought out list of the valuable contributions you have made and have an intelligent discussion you might get a raise but remember do not go in whining or with a chip on your shoulder and also remember you might be saying; Would you like so Super Size that, Ma’am?
The word is antsy, not ancy
I haven’t gotten a raise in just about the same amount of time that youv’e been working there and I’ve been here for almost 4 years now (anniversary is this Friday). With the economy in the state that it’s in, I know it’s best not to even ask. There were about 10 employees were were laid off since late last year here. The company isn’t doing as well as it did.
The only reason why I received a raise a few years back was because I was given more responsibilities. I suggest that if you really NEED the $ you should go about it by asking for more tasks so that you can get be compensated accordingly.
Attorney are sharp, you should have in writing when you first hired,a raise after three months. You waited 2.5 years without a raise, now he’s going to give you a run round. Tell him cost living keep going goes up, that you need
raise to keep up the cost. See what he say.In the mean time keep looking for other places. If you have been there 2.5 yrs, you should have no trouble finding a job,