You’re Not Getting Paid Enough

When I was sixteen years old I got my first “real” job at Burger King, I was excited that I was getting $5.25 an hour (minimum wage), it seemed like I was making six figures.

When I was hired I was told that if I worked hard I could get a raise, so I made sure I worked harder than anybody else. My work must have been good because even though I was younger than most of the other workers I was promoted to “crew leader”.

Now you would have thought that the position came with a raise (I found out later that I was supposed to get a raise) but I didn’t get one, the store manager gave himself my raise! At that age I never though about it, I didn’t have any real bills to worry about, I could spend my money on electronics and things that I wanted.

There was several times when I would apply for a certain job and they would ask for my wage requirements, you know how that goes right? I would low-ball the offers to assure myself the job, you know how that turned out right? I did get the jobs because I’m sure I was lower than anybody, some jobs I was practically working for free!

Here’s my question for you: Are you getting paid enough for the work that you do?

Sometimes that’s just the way it is

I realize there are jobs where you really have no control as far as how much you make, jobs that a union has the pay structure already set up, with the raises prearranged. If you really want that job you have to be prepared to go along with that system no matter how hard you work.

What I’m talking about is jobs where you do have some wiggle room.

Don’t believe the hype

With our economy being so screwed up we’re afraid that the company could fire us and hire someone else, you have to stop thinking that way. Yes, things are different. Yes, there isn’t the job security that used to exist. However good workers that work as hard as you do are still hard to find.

If you’re reading this blog I’m going to make a HUGE assumption and assume that you’re a hard worker that provides value for your company. So even though companies have more options they’re not likely to get rid of you if you ask for a raise. If you’re making the company money, you should be getting paid properly for what you do.

So what are you worth? How much should you be getting paid?

Know your worth

I told you about the jobs that I low-balled my offer, I did it because I didn’t know my worth, all I could think about was getting the job. If you do good work and work hard, you’re very valuable and you should be compensated as such.

There were times when I found out that a co-worker who didn’t work as hard as I did was making more than me and it was because they weren’t afraid to ask for more. You can’t be afraid either.

How do you approach it?

If you have been at a company and haven’t received a raise for a while then maybe it’s time to think about approaching your boss for that raise. The key is to handle things professionally, you have to go over and beyond.

Put together a nice presentation or a power point that shows what you have done and how that has helped the company. I know this will be a little more work but whatever it takes right? Schedule a meeting with your boss and prove to him that you’re worth the raise, go into that meeting with a number in mind as to what you want your raise to be.

What’s the worst that could happen? All they can do is say no, if you handle things professionally you will be heard.

For too long we have been satisfied even when we know we deserve more. Now don’t miss understand this post and use it as an excuse to be greedy, if your company is taking care of you then be content. If you’re putting together that presentation and you can’t come up with a valid reason for a raise, then take a hint……

This is for those who give it their all everyday, who work hard and provide value, see if it’s time for you to get a raise. Know your worth!