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Software Developers: how to get a raise without changing jobs

fearlesssalarynegotiation.com

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Re: Software Developers: how to get a raise without changing jobs

#171

Post by reitanqild »

hvidgaard wrote: post #159
kasey_junk wrote: post #100

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I can assure you as a (reluctant) manager I definitely care. Its literally the only reason I'm management. I'm also constantly having discussions with the people who generally make these kind of broad decisions about how unrealistic their decision making processes are. I tend to start those conversations with some variant on "it doesn't matter what you say the raise limits are for a person, the market sets those thin…

> it doesn't matter what you say the raise limits are for a person, the market sets those things and the market right now says you're wrong This is very common. They often justify it with "In this company we're not paying as much, but we have greater freedom/cooler tech/ ". Well good for you. We have already established that we're a good fit, but I'm not working for 20% less than I can across the street.

Well, ATM I tell everyone that unless they add 15% to my current salary I won't even listen; I love the place I work ATM, they have been consistently nice for 18 months straight and I actually enjoy work.

I also have an OK salary so this is partially about reducing risk and partially about giving something back.

Re: Software Developers: how to get a raise without changing jobs

#173

Post by rockshassa »

this "article" reads like it was written as propaganda by in-house HR to retain staff. 3% is basically a non-raise, it just keeps up with inflation. an extra 5% is alright, but is not adequate to retain talent who knows their worth. i once received an annual raise was 2.5%. i pushed back a bit but not too hard, as i've done this enough times to know that it is never worth the amount of stress involved. fast forward a few months, i'm walking out the door to a new gig with a signifigant increase (lets say 20%). old mgmt didnt see it coming, despite the ample warning i gave them, and ample opportunities to correct the situation. they never do, just accept it and move on

Re: Software Developers: how to get a raise without changing jobs

#174

Post by gedrap »

AnimalMuppet wrote: post #31
ffjffsfr wrote: post #17

> Bring more value to the company than what’s expected of you. Then ask to be compensated for it. Sorry but it doesn't always work like this. Sure, performing well makes it more likely for you to get a raise, but there is no guarantee. Perhaps performing well increases probability of you getting a raise. But it does not guarantee anything nor is it most important factor in computing this probability. Probabibility of…

No, it doesn't always work like that. It works that way enough of the time to be worth trying, though. Even if it doesn't get you a raise at your current job, having done things that add value gives you a better negotiating position for a different job.

Exactly. You could do me the minimal amount of work required to stay employed but then you can't expect a generous raise, unless you manage to play office politics very well AND the workplace is quite toxic to allow that.

Personally, I try to give a fair amount of effort to deliver more value than expected. It doesn't mean that I am working 60hrs/wk or anything like that, just trying to be creative and not asking anyone to hold my hand in my explorations.

Re: Software Developers: how to get a raise without changing jobs

#175

Post by kobeya »

Whitestrake wrote: post #141
op00to wrote: post #126

Earlier quoted context omitted.

When considering this tactic, ask yourself one question: "Do I work for psycopaths, or for (relatively) rational human beings?" If rational, go ahead and let them know the market rate of your labor by showing a competing offer, knowing full well that you're ready to take it and move on. It's only business. If you work for psychopaths, just take the offer and leave because fuck that shit.

I feel like any company large enough to have a significant HR department won't count as a "rational human being". They'll probably fall into the "psychopath" category by virtue of dispassionately and emotionlessly assessing how much of a liability you are to them if you're willing to demand they make counter-offers.

That is not what psychopath means. Maybe you are confusing with sociopath?

Re: Software Developers: how to get a raise without changing jobs

#176

Post by mcv »

kobeya wrote: post #175
Whitestrake wrote: post #141

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I feel like any company large enough to have a significant HR department won't count as a "rational human being". They'll probably fall into the "psychopath" category by virtue of dispassionately and emotionlessly assessing how much of a liability you are to them if you're willing to demand they make counter-offers.

That is not what psychopath means. Maybe you are confusing with sociopath?

As far as I know, the two are synonymous or nearly so.

Re: Software Developers: how to get a raise without changing jobs

#177

Post by mcv »

iamthepieman wrote: post #19

I've got raises as high as 206% by switching jobs. Most recent switch a little over 2 years ago resulted in a 20% raise which is much more typical. Never had more than a cost of living increase otherwise (2-3%), My strategy is to move when I stop learning. It maximizes both my enjoyment (learning challenges me and gives me motivation beyond a paycheck which is good for me and my employer.) and my potential earnings.

Same for me. Switching is the best way to get a raise, and I like the change. And I'm always at my best when I'm fresh at a new job.

Re: Software Developers: how to get a raise without changing jobs

#178

Post by madeofpalk »

hvidgaard wrote: post #159
kasey_junk wrote: post #100

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I can assure you as a (reluctant) manager I definitely care. Its literally the only reason I'm management. I'm also constantly having discussions with the people who generally make these kind of broad decisions about how unrealistic their decision making processes are. I tend to start those conversations with some variant on "it doesn't matter what you say the raise limits are for a person, the market sets those thin…

> it doesn't matter what you say the raise limits are for a person, the market sets those things and the market right now says you're wrong This is very common. They often justify it with "In this company we're not paying as much, but we have greater freedom/cooler tech/ ". Well good for you. We have already established that we're a good fit, but I'm not working for 20% less than I can across the street.

They can try and justify it, but as it turns out I can't pay the rent with "greater freedom".

Re: Software Developers: how to get a raise without changing jobs

#179

Post by Traubenfuchs »

Mandatum wrote: post #119

$100/hr: 120K yr for 3-day/wk contracts, I like long weekends.. Java dev.

As someone who doesn't earn quite as much, whose day job is maintaining and modifying big, monolithic and outdated Spring/Webflow/JSF applications from hell I'd like to ask you: What exactly are you doing and how do did you get there?

Re: Software Developers: how to get a raise without changing jobs

#180

Post by usrusr »

logicfiction wrote: post #146
amorphid wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It is worth nothing that another way to get a raise is to earn a promotion :)

That might depend on the type of promotion. It's actually becoming shockingly common these days (at least in the US?) to not give raises on promotions anymore.

If they do promotions at all, instead of filling higher level vacancies with new hires (at "raise by changing jobs" rates). This also explains why those raise-less promotions are even possible: those who accept them see them as an investment in their future market value, the next time they change for a raise they can enter on a higher level.
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