I've been at this company for 2.5 years. My salary has not increased since then. Last time I got a bonus was in 2023. Last summer my boss laid off 50% of the staff and reduced everyone else's pay by 30% for 6 months to get us out of the red. He has not given us performance reviews in 2 years. Since there are only 4 people left in the company I am the lowest ranked and likely would be targeted for a future layoff.because of that, I've been working with a recruiter since November to look for jobs for me on the side, but so far that has only landed 1 interview which ended in a rejection, and 3 non-interviews (they refused based on my resume alone) I feel like Im stuck in a zone of "not qualified enough for a better job" and "we wont pay you more until you get licensed".my main question is: How do I tell my boss I want more money, and what do I do if he says no? It just seems humiliating and I don't have a backup plan. The only direct way I could see him having to give me more pay is if I finish my exams and become licensed which will take 3-4 months and $800 in testing costs. >I would like a higher salary so I can continue to work here>'no'>o-okay.. see you tomorrowbackground>small business (when i started it was 8 people, now its 4)>fully remote (no money spent on commuting)>pay hasnt gone up since 2023>no performance reviews since 2024>i am working on getting licensed, but company does not pay for any study or test fees>passed 3 out of 6 exams already, no effect on my salary>haven't had any offers from other companies yet
In normal (communist) countries there's no such retarded thing as asking for salary. It's a fixed number that increases with inflation and promotions
>>34406566>The only direct way I could see him having to give me more pay is if I finish my exams and become licensed which will take 3-4 months and $800 in testing costsThat's the way to do it then.Be realistic - the company is obviously not doing well, staffing costs have been reduced significantly by sacking half the workforce and you're going to walk in saying 'give me some more money.' How exactly do you think that's going to go? I get how you feel, but your feels aren't an item on your employer's balance sheet.If you want more money you have to increase your value to your employer. Or indeed, another employer.
>>34406668That's why I've held off from saying anything so far. I guess just the fact of the rising cost of inflation since 2023 isnt enough?
If you ask for a raise, be ready to fucking earn it.
>>34406566I see three ways I can see a raise succeeding here. One is if you do get an offer from another company, but you can't do this play until you get that offer that would pay you more and are about ready to sign on with that company. Then...>I like working here, but I need to be making more.>Competitor company is prepared to offer me $X>I'd be willing to do these duties for an increase in order to stay on.If the answer is no, you walk and take the better offer after getting it.It sounds like the company isn't doing well if they are laying people off. As an employee, no performance reviews is nice, but it sounds like they got rid of the person who did that and so your boss is having a hard time. As a company, not doing performance reviews could lead to failure, which is exactly what it sounds like is happening.The other way you may get a raise is if you're aware of duties that the company is no longer doing which would benefit the company. If you say>Hey, boss, I've noticed that we're not doing these things, and it is costing us profit here... I'd be willing to take on these extra duties for an increase in my salary.Show where the company is failing, with the ability to fix it and you may prove worth. Larger companies would burn you for doing this, but a small business of 4 peopleFinally, the third thing would be to just get licensed. Eat the costs, pass the other 3 exams and use that to advance either in the company or elsewhere. (Probably elsewhere.) The only problem with this is if the exams are dipping into your savings. You may need to budget better with cutting back on hobby expenses or by buying cheaper food.
Can you move to a place with jobs? Cutting wages is shifting risk to the staff who do not own the company and do not share in the profits, retarded as fuck. Get away, fuck the raise.
>>34406566Explain why you need a pay increase, mention what you bring to the table, have a number in mind. Don't be overly formal about it, just direct calm and casual, if they negotiate just negotiate with them, just be reasonable about it.
>>34406799>You may need to budgetI can afford exam costs, I'm just unlucky because I have to pay for it out of pocket. my friends who work at larger firms have their tests paid for by the company so they never put out a dime.I've paid for the past 3 on my own so I will continue to do soThe first point you made is good. I'll be honest I love being fully remote. The amount of time I have to get work done and my own work when I'm at home 5 days a week is nice. Every job that I've applied to now are at best 2 days remote. Some stipulate 5 days a week for the first 6 months.Our boss has been asking us to look into AI. I've been trying to find novel ways of using AI to help us, as much as I hate using it, my boss has been pushing us to do our own research and share what we find and how we could speed up workflows. However I dont think I would find anythign substancial enough to warrant a pay increase. >>34406842I live in Chicago which should be a massive opportunity region but I havent get any bites on firms in the city.
What the hell is this company/license forCan't you just make your own company once you've got the license shit sorted
>>34408504ArchitectureYeah I could start my own firm once Im licensed but I'll need clients
>Put your resignation notice on his table >I want a raise
