Or should I wait until my first annual appraisal?
​
At the start of the year, I started my new job, and I really, really enjoy it, apart from one thing: I’m underpaid compared to what my role generally commands in other companies (I’m the only person in my role at the company).
​
When I accepted the job, I did manage to negotiate a very slightly higher pay than their first offer, but not as I high as wanted – I was told this was because I wasn’t quite as experienced as some of the other candidates who had applied for the role and that I had mainly got the job because of my passion for the company, my ideas for how I could improve things, and how much the managers and creative director had liked me.
I have my end-of-probation meeting tomorrow, and coincidentally it falls at roughly the same time the company is working out its budgets for the next year. Assuming I’ve passed my probation (don’t want to tempt fate, but all indicators suggest I have), is now a good time to try and push for a bit more cash?
16 comments
It’s never wrong to ask. But don’t push it too hard.
They liked you so much they offered you below the going rate for your role?
Well from what you’ve said it seems like they’ve hired you because you’re cheaper, you can try if nothing else you should be able to confirm when you’ll get a pay review. Beyond that keep your CV shiny and an eye in job ads.
I don’t see how 3 months gives you enough experience to justify asking a pay rise compared to the perceived experience of another candidate.
By all means ask, but wouldn’t hold out for it.
“I’m really enjoying the job, and I think I am doing well at it. I would like to know when I will get a pay review. As you know, we agreed a rate that was a bit below my expectation as it was said that my experience was on the lower side. I hope I am now demonstrating the value I bring despite that. “
3 months in and you’re still being trained. I doubt they’ll entertain it tbh. You’ll just look like you’re only after the money and all your statements about loving the company at your interview are bullshit.
Annual appraisals are there for that purpose. Be patient.
I’ve never known anyone in the history of employment receive a better wage just for completing probation.
Their response will likely be of the ilk that you agreed to your salary 3 months ago so why should it change now?
Yes. Probation works both ways. At the end of their probationary period you’ve decided the role isn’t compensated correctly.
In my current job I was accepted for the role etc and offered a low wage at the interview. I politely declined the job offer as I was expecting more so we ended up negotiating a better wage if and when I pass my 6 months probation. This was written in to the contract. So starting salary of X increasing to Y after 6 months
I’ve been there 3 years now
I would really wait till the appraisal.
Then you can go in and be like “Look how much better I am now, how much money I’ve made you (or whatever).”
It all depends on how you propose justifying the request really. Have you demonstrated enough to offset their reservations around your depth of experience? Have you won large value business, gone beyond the general expectation of the role etc?
If you have a good case. Otherwise you will be stuck on your current pay for at least a year.they trick us into being too scared to ask for more pay.
In most jobs they usually raise your pay upon completion of probation.
Is there anything regarding in your contract?
Definitely ask, I did at my last job and they raised it a little because they saw how quickly I learned and how useful I actually was
I’m planning on asking for more money in 2 weeks I know Iv already past probation as Iv been taken on to train as a yard manager. The owner who I know paid me more than the going starter rate as he wanted someone he knew and trusted in the role. I obviously left a job to go & work for him so he essentially matched what I was on which is great, but I’m working 20 less hours a week so my budget is really tight. He did promise a few pay rises once I was more experienced at the jobs & knew the products we are working with. I honestly have clicked so well with the team at work & the products have been easy to learn. So I’m going to ask for a pay rise asap but I’m also prepared to keep working for another 9 months or so without it. I just won’t be telling him that. Like yourself I do really enjoy this job so if I get a no / not yet answer I won’t be trying to force anyones hand
I think it’s wrong. The probation period means that you have proved you are what you said on your CV and interview and you are ***not unfit*** for the role. Why do you think you are more valuable after three months, that you have been most probably mainly learning? You could just being asked that: Why? How would you answer? To convince people, you need to appropriately answer their questions. You need to show them you have a higher value for the company. And show your cards. After you have accomplished things well, gone the extra mile a few times, etc. then you would be in a better position without risk of getting the label “beggar” stuck to you.