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Subject:RE: Ask for a raise? Or pack my bags? From:"Cardimon, Craig" <ccardimon -at- M-S-G -dot- com> To:'Lynne Wright' <Lynne -dot- Wright -at- tritech -dot- com>, "'RaphaelWorkman -at- comcast -dot- net'" <raphaelworkman -at- comcast -dot- net>, "'TECHWR-L Writing'" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com> Date:Tue, 23 Jun 2015 18:27:04 +0000
Instead of asking for a raise, which can be perceived as confrontational, try this instead.
I would lay out on paper what the average technical writer does to earn the salary you desire.
Suppose the average technical writer in your region does Tasks A, B, and C, and pulls down $60,000. Write that out in an easy to read format.
Suppose you perform Tasks A, B, and C, too, but you also do Tasks D, E, and F, and you pull down X number of dollars. Write that out in easy to read format.
At the end of your document, ask the question, "What do I need to do in order to qualify for a salary of $60,000?"
This way you are not demanding anything, you are merely asking a question after you have already laid out why you believe you qualify for what you want.
~Craig
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+ccardimon=m-s-g -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+ccardimon=m-s-g -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On Behalf Of Lynne Wright
Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2015 2:18 PM
To: RaphaelWorkman -at- comcast -dot- net; TECHWR-L Writing
Subject: RE: Ask for a raise? Or pack my bags?
Never hurts to ask.
Just make sure that you provide HR with salary averages for your REGION, rather than the national figure. Average salaries can vary quite a bit from one part of the country to another.
I'm not sure how you will be able to cite any one baseline salary figure at all, given that you appear to be performing 3 job functions at the same time... although that right there is a bargaining chip for you. Obviously if they had to hire 3 different people to replace you if you left, its in their best interest to, at the very least, allow you to work from home a few days a week.
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+lynne -dot- wright=tritech -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+lynne -dot- wright=tritech -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On Behalf Of RaphaelWorkman -at- comcast -dot- net
Sent: June-22-15 7:32 PM
To: TECHWR-L Writing
Subject: Ask for a raise? Or pack my bags?
Hello tech writers:
I don't know where else to turn for advice.
Is it a risk to my job security to ask my supervisor or an HR employee for a raise or work from home privileges? I earn an anonymous amount of money between $36K and $38K annually. I was hired 3.5 years ago at $32K. I just found out the national average is around $60K. I'm feeling undervalued with long hours long commute and low-ish pay for my field. I used to be allowed 2 days/wk work from home and just to come in on those days for occasional meetings. I was told our new building is new and nice and I am now expected to be in the office every day. I've been with this company for 8 years total and 3 years as an above-average tech writer, content developer (Adobe Captivate and Articulate Storyline), and instructional designer. I write/develop for a department of 1,000 people in 2 states in call centers that support all of the security system installers for US and Puerto Rico. The subject matter is highly technical including hardware, software, and troubleshooting. I came up th
rough the ranks 4 years troubleshooting and programming, one year leading and training, and 3 years as a tech writer with many "other duties as assigned." I imagine my job/work is worth at least $50K. Am I delusional? Should I just be happy to even have a job at all? FYI I'm too nervous to strike out on my own as a free-lance contractor type but I'm looking around at places like Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and Jeppesen. I'm in my mid 30's and I'm old enough to wish for a company from which I could retire, but I think I may be deluding myself to think this could happen where I am. There are no similar jobs in my company that are just a step up from where I am, and none of my peers makes very much money. With my annual "merit increases" being anywhere from 0% to 3.1% I don't see myself making very much money in the future. I can't really bring this up to my boss or HR without a strategy because I fear once they know I want a lot more money they may begin quietly looking to re pl ace me.
Advice?
Thanks,
Raphael
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