Got any tips for discussing compensation with an employer?

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Scarpozzi

Lifer
Jun 13, 2000
26,391
1,780
126
Just remember this. If you're an agreeable person that everyone gets along with, you're likely getting screwed in the payroll department. If you man up and take on the alpha approach, they'll likely bow down to you if you're respectful but not weak.

Be confident....take the approach of telling them you know your numbers and that you think it's high time you and the firm were adequately compensated for the quality of work you can provide.

That should be all it takes....but don't walk in sheepishly. Listen to a few choice tracks before storming in and telling them how it's gonna be.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xn676-fLq7I
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3MXiTeH_Pg
 

purbeast0

No Lifer
Sep 13, 2001
53,637
6,521
126
you've already said you aren't going to leave if they don't raise your salary. don't let them know this or else they have absolutely 0 incentive to do so.
 

Sho'Nuff

Diamond Member
Jul 12, 2007
6,211
121
106
you've already said you aren't going to leave if they don't raise your salary. don't let them know this or else they have absolutely 0 incentive to do so.

Sure they have an incentive. I am saying "charge more for my time, and pay me accordingly." They make more money, I make more money, clients are billed the same. Everyone wins. I am just asking to have them leverage my efficiency.

FWIW I had the compensation discussion with the partners yesterday, and they seemed receptive. They also understood immediately what I was proposing, which was simply a longer winded version of the immediately preceding paragraph.
 

Sho'Nuff

Diamond Member
Jul 12, 2007
6,211
121
106
So, soon? :D

Maybe if I become a partner, but that is a ways off.

Somewhat frustratingly, I probably would be much closer to that mark had I not switched positions 6 years ago. I would have been miserable and hated life. But I would have been much further ahead financially. But that is like someone going to golden corral, eating all afternoon, and then complaining because the ice cream machine is out of order.
 

alkemyst

No Lifer
Feb 13, 2001
83,769
19
81
$40K bonus ... boo hooo. You make 80% of the average family income in the united states with your bonus alone.

Why hate? I know guys that get more than $40k PER MONTH in bonus.

WAY OUTSIDE my pay grade. If I was in their shoes I wouldn't complain.

I will say most have lives on paper that look really great, but the stress levels and risks they take are not for me.
 

Sho'Nuff

Diamond Member
Jul 12, 2007
6,211
121
106
$40K bonus ... boo hooo. You make 80% of the average family income in the united states with your bonus alone.


I never said i was not fortunate. But i am not going to apologize for it either. Getting where I am took a lot of planning and hard work.