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.
Related Cheap Insurance Sites
written by Author
\\ tags: apartment rent, Asking For A Raise, attorneys, boss, Buy A Car, Buy Car, car payments, colleagues, decisions, eachother, hr dept, Insurance, job, paralegal, paycheck to paycheck, People, rai, Reason, salary, waiting game