Archive

Salary increases

  • mella
    SportsAndLady;1249661 wrote:I understand the basic information (median income, average rent expense, etc.) but anything else I should include that you think would be valuable?
    Access to public transportation is something to think about. Do you have to own a car? If so look into areas you may want to live. Do they have off street parking? This can sometimes turn into a big unexpected expense.
  • gut
    I'm not sure I'd want to live in LA, but often living in a bigger city or on the sunny West Coast has its own attraction beyond salary (and companies know this).

    But agree with others that the time to negotiate an adjustment was pre-move. It probably wouldn't hurt to ask for a COL adjustment, but as mentioned the horse has left the barn. Your friend could maybe spin it that his recent bump didn't appear to include a COL adjustment. For example, he thought in addition to his merit increase he'd get something like a 10% COLA. You can find rough estimates for COL differences. I wouldn't ask for more than 10%, and I'd be happy to get 5%.
  • ernest_t_bass
    gut;1249817 wrote:but as mentioned the horse has left the barn
    That wasn't mentioned.
  • HitsRus
    Well you can tell this guy what he shoulda/coulda done...but what he seems to be asking is what he should do moving forward.

    If you can make a case and can show why the move justifies a larger increase, it does not hurt to ask. Be prepared to back your request with figures that supports your request. Be sure to do this within the framework of your being happy with your job and the company and not making a demand...you are simply asking for a fair increase based on the cost of living.
    If the company/boss gives you a "no"...you have options as mella has indicated above in post #17(reps). #1...Keep your job...but you can always look elsewhere in the meantime.
  • Scarlet_Buckeye
    So the company is now considering that they have you placed in the wrong "job slot". They're reviewing your roles & responsibilities and they've pretty much narrowed it down to...
    • Business Analyst, Senior
    • Business Analyst, Intermediate
    • Project Manager
    Which one are you shooting for? Which one is going to be the higher(est) pay-grade?

    Would you say (from highest to lowest) >> Business Analyst, Senior > Business Analyst, Intermediate > Project Manager ???

    Correct?
  • gut
    Scarlet_Buckeye;1263049 wrote:So the company is now considering that they have you placed in the wrong "job slot". They're reviewing your roles & responsibilities and they've pretty much narrowed it down to...
    • Business Analyst, Senior
    • Business Analyst, Intermediate
    • Project Manager
    Which one are you shooting for? Which one is going to be the higher(est) pay-grade?

    Would you say (from highest to lowest) >> Business Analyst, Senior > Business Analyst, Intermediate > Project Manager ???

    Correct?
    Generally I'd expect the Project Manager to head the group, and the Sr. Analyst might be responsible for supervising an intermediate or junior analyst. But roles and title vary.

    Look at the roles and responsibilities and then decide if the pay grades make sense. My immediate reaction is if a company is considering a person for 1 of these three roles then they are fucking clueless and you should be looking somewhere else. Alternatively, they might be considering hiring someone overqualified for one of the lower positions, and that might not be such a great move either.
  • sportchampps
    Yeah I would put project manager as the highest paid but it varies
  • Scarlet_Buckeye
    gut;1263101 wrote:Generally I'd expect the Project Manager to head the group, and the Sr. Analyst might be responsible for supervising an intermediate or junior analyst. But roles and title vary.

    Look at the roles and responsibilities and then decide if the pay grades make sense. My immediate reaction is if a company is considering a person for 1 of these three roles then they are ****ing clueless and you should be looking somewhere else. Alternatively, they might be considering hiring someone overqualified for one of the lower positions, and that might not be such a great move either.
    Business Analyst, Senior
    Plans and performs analysis of major company activities and/or functions and guides the subsequent design and implementation or improvement of existing data processing-based business systems applications. Utilizes available personnel resources and resources from the computer system to analyze information, method systems, and procedures to determine the most useful business solutions to the company. is concerned with the interaction between systems to take advantage of new and more effective ways of providing needed information. Will analyze, interpret, and make recommendations in the form of formal proposals and/or presentations to senior executives. Depending on the assignment, will perform proactive activities related to the completion and implementation of a project. May occasionally train and guide work of less-experienced analysts, but this function is incidental ti specific projects. Fully competent to work at the highest level of all phases of business analysis. typically has a bachelor's degree in one of the following areas: information technology, finance, computer science, or related. usually requires at least 5-6 years of related progressive experience. Exclude systems auditors or system analysts.
    Business Analysts, Intermediate
    Plans and performs analysis of major company activities and/or functions and guides the subsequent design and implementation or improvement of existing data processing-based business systems applications. utilizes available personnel and computer system resources to analyze information, methods, systems, and procedure to determine the most useful business solutions to the company. Is concerned with the interaction between systems to take advantage of new and more effective ways of providing needed information. Will analyze, interpret, and make recommendations in the form of formal proposals and/or presentations to senior executives. Depending on the assignment, will perform proactive activities related to the completion and implementation of a project. May occasionally train and guide work of less-experienced analysts, but this functions is incidental to specific projects. Able to work in most aspects of business analysis in accordance with acceptable practices and standards. Typically has a bachelor's degree in one of the following areas: information technology, finance, computer science, or related. usually requires 3-4 years of related progressive experience. Exclude systems Auditors or system analyst.
    Project Manager
    Under general supervision, works with teams in systems projects of significant magnitude in terms of complexity, cost, time-constraints, internal and external staffing, and equipment including software and hardware. Assists in setting direction to a project team including the assignment of individual responsibilities, tasks, and technical functions. Follows overall project requirements including identifying needs and allocating them appropriate resources to meet the timely completion of specific project tasks. May monitor individual progress to insure meeting of specific deadlines. Posses a broad-knowledge of most technical resources and uses them to effectively coordinate team members and resources. Will confer with senior MIS or administrative management regarding changes of significant consequences to the scope or schedule of the project. Given the life-cycle of most projects, most assignments usually last more than three months. Excluded are outside consultants and incumbents that may perform the above functions on a part-time basis.
  • sleeper
    Scarlet_Buckeye;1263049 wrote:So the company is now considering that they have you placed in the wrong "job slot". They're reviewing your roles & responsibilities and they've pretty much narrowed it down to...
    • Business Analyst, Senior
    • Business Analyst, Intermediate
    • Project Manager
    Which one are you shooting for? Which one is going to be the higher(est) pay-grade?

    Would you say (from highest to lowest) >> Business Analyst, Senior > Business Analyst, Intermediate > Project Manager ???

    Correct?
    The fact that you don't know the answer to this question makes me question entirely your competence level. I'd ask for Business Analyst, Intermediate so you don't get in over your head and end up on the dole like half of America.
  • gut
    If you are applying, the general rule of thumb is to go for the highest position you MIGHT be qualified for (a good company will place you in the appropriate role). I've also seen the reverse approach where people apply for positions they know they are overqualified for and won't consider in order to get their name in the hat for any upcoming or unpublished available positions.
  • ZWICK 4 PREZ
    Your company should have every position ranked accordingly already and it should be transparent.
  • Scarlet_Buckeye
    Problem is... what if you're already placed in said higher pay-grade (e.g., project manager), but you're already underpaid? What do you do then?
  • ZWICK 4 PREZ
    Scarlet_Buckeye;1263206 wrote:Problem is... what if you're already placed in said higher pay-grade (e.g., project manager), but you're already underpaid? What do you do then?
    They know what range they're willing to pay. Ask what your percentage is and how you can get it closer to 100%
  • Scarlet_Buckeye
    ZWICK 4 PREZ;1263211 wrote:They know what range they're willing to pay. Ask what your percentage is and how you can get it closer to 100%
    I think this is the key. I think in said pay-grade, might be at like 35% (maybe even lower). I think what they were looking to do is keep the same percentage, but bump up into a higher pay-grade. What's the advantages/disadvantages of each?

    I would think the employee would want to be in a higher pay-grade at the same percentage, than a lower pay-grade at the same percentage vs. in a lower pay-grade and higher percentage.

    Thoughts?
  • sleeper
    Scarlet_Buckeye;1263206 wrote:Problem is... what if you're already placed in said higher pay-grade (e.g., project manager), but you're already underpaid? What do you do then?
    Everyone thinks they are underpaid. Welcome to the real world.
  • ZWICK 4 PREZ
    Scarlet_Buckeye;1263226 wrote:I think this is the key. I think in said pay-grade, might be at like 35% (maybe even lower). I think what they were looking to do is keep the same percentage, but bump up into a higher pay-grade. What's the advantages/disadvantages of each?

    I would think the employee would want to be in a higher pay-grade at the same percentage, than a lower pay-grade at the same percentage vs. in a lower pay-grade and higher percentage.

    Thoughts?
    If the company is any decent at all they'll tell you what percentage you are. There's obviously overlapping but if you were put in a different position with a higher pay grade, it should have came with a pay raise automatically.

    Also I/m sure you feel you're making 35% of what you should, but companies will run in a bell curve of 70-130% so you're more than likely making at least 70% of fair market value.
  • ZWICK 4 PREZ
    Companies don't have much incentive to over pay you but they do have a lot of incentive to not under pay you if they like you. It'd be easy to lose you if they were.
  • gut
    If the salary isn't up to snuff, another approach is to take the Intermediate role with an understanding that you'd be promoted (with a commensurate bump, 8-12%) in a year. Just make sure if agreed that it's in your offer letter.

    Plus, the "guaranteed" promotion in a year is probably better for the resume than a few extra thousand in your wallet that first year.