• Home
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Policy
  • Guest Post
  • Archive

One Cent At A Time

A Personal finance blog to get rich

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • Beautiful Life
  • Becoming Rich
  • Beginners Guide
  • Extra Income
  • Productivity
  • Saving Money

Are You Making Too Little From Your Job

September 26, 2019 4 Comments

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Email

I stumbled upon a Reddit post today, where the commenter stated that he’s just making $1.5 per hour more than a new hire. We often wonder if we Are making too little from our jobs. Most of us feel we should get more pay, and it’s normal.

Are You Making Too Little From Your Job

In times when companies are running for more profit and more revenue the employees should also run for more pay. Problem is, often we don’t know if we are getting less salary. As a society, we are reluctant to discuss our earnings in front of others. The question that can change lives is left undiscussed. We feel embarrassed to disclose our salary.

But in social media, we can freely discuss, especially because we do not know the persons who are reading our comments. This is a sense of security that allows us to discuss freely and openly.

Now, coming back to the original context, We should and we must discuss our paycheck with like-minded people. This helps us realize where we stand. Only when we discuss we know if we are sufficiently being paid.

You should ask this question to yourself first, am I making too little from my job?

How do you know you’re making too little

  • First check with other’s if they’re willing to discuss, preferably from the same job location as yours.
  • Check the job posting sites for salary at an equivalent job
  • Look at sites like Glassdoor, where you can get a glimpse into what others are making(or expected to make) at your current employer and current position.

If you’re at your company for too long, high chances that you’ll come at the lower range than what’s being offered, or, what others are making.

This is natural, companies spend more to attract talent than they are doing to retain their existing talent.

What to do when you’re making too little from your job

You have only two options

  1. Work harder, be more productive and take up additional part-time assignments to earn more, or
  2. Move on to another job. The best way to move up is to move out. Too often, it is the only way

The second is easier, although people generally go for option one. Change is a bit scary and people like stability and comfort. The unknowns from the change are what keep people away from it.

I’m always conflicted about this too. It’s easier to stay at a current job if they are offering to match, which can be good, but looking forward does this mean they will only offer you more money when at risk of losing you?

I’d rather be receiving raises and promotions based on my merit and, not just because I wanted to leave.

Moreover, with option one, the potential longer-term growth is limited. Even if you can get a small raise, that may not be sustainable in the long run.

I’d suggest you go for the second option. Start applying for a new position in the same company or similar position at a different company.

Have your family come along in this decision. Their lives may also get changed because of the potential job-related moves you need to make. Take their opinion if your low salary is big reason enough for all of you to move.

Your spouse’s job might be affected and so maybe your children’s schooling. Have an open talk in your family and get them along in the decision.

Ask for a raise, and be prepared to move out

While you’re still in dilemma to choose between staying put and moving on, you should still ask for a raise. Don’t just ask for a raise for the sake of it. Do the groundwork and be prepared to defend your ask.

If you try to fix this at your current employer, chances are less than 50% that you’ll get a raise, just because you asked.

On top of it, management may get upset at you. And you can’t afford to be in a management bad book.

What always works, rather, is you offering to resign for a better offer and your current employer offers you a matching or better package.

Regardless, talk to your immediate manager and get his/her opinion about your chances.

Don’t just say that XYZ makes more money than you, rather discuss how your contributions deserve more pay.

State your unhappiness and if you’re vital and if they feel threatened, they’ll come back with at least a promise of future pay raise.

Ask for a raise

If nothing comes along, start your skill-building. Take up courses and get external certifications. Make yourself most knowledgable at your job.

If you demand to get a raise wasn’t appreciated by the management, then you must be ready for any eventuality.

Start building your skills and acquire a perspective of your overall contribution to the company’s objectives.

Tune-up your resume and seek professional help. Also, appear in as many interviews as you can. Practice will make you perfect. Eventually, you’ll succeed.

Every unsuccessful interview should be a lesson to do better at the next. If you are intelligent, knowledgable and hardworking you deserve a higher paycheck.

When you get that new job and your current employer asks you to stay and gives you a counter offer, you should still move out. Counter offer recipients generally have less chance to go up the ladder one day.

Conclusion

What you should get back from reading this

1. Do the homework to determine if you’re making too little from your job
2. If you’re making less than you deserve, immediately start taking self-improvement and knowledge acquiring actions
3. Talk to your manager and explain your ask and the reasons behind it.
4. Start applying for outside jobs, you’ll succeed at the nth time. The success will come at some point if you keep applying.
5. Even if you get a matching offer from your current employer, it’s better to move on.

Readers, do share your stories of getting a raise or changing jobs for better pay.

LIKE THIS POST?
I agree to have my personal information transfered to MailChimp ( more information )
Join our community of 8000+ subscribers to increase your net worth and build wealth
We hate spam. Your email address will not be sold or shared with anyone else.

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Email
The tool that changed the way I manage my personal finance - Personal Capital, The Best Free Personal Finance Tool

Want to start a WordPress blog now? The onecentatatime.com blog is hosted by Siteground Web Hosting. For only $3.95 a month, Siteground can help you set up and host your website/blog quickly and easily.

About the Blogger Hi I am SB, a personal finance enthusiast with a career in software development. I am an immigrant to the USA since 2005, after being born and brought up in India. This 40 something technocrat lives and breathes personal finance whenever he gets time from the day job, job as a husband and a dad

Some links on this page may be affiliate links, if you make a purchase following the links, I may earn a commission. Read affiliate disclosure here
« Why To Get Camera Insurance
Why Investors Move to Gold And Silver During Recession »

Comments

  1. Leonardo Candoza says

    September 27, 2019 at 9:23 PM

    If someone is making to little 90% of the time the solution is to switch jobs. The issue is that people often get too comfortable and don’t focus enough on their dreams.

    Reply
    • SB says

      September 27, 2019 at 9:27 PM

      Yeah I agree, and this is why I wanted to write on the topic. We often get entagled with life’s puzzles and don’t think about a change, a positive change may be

      Reply
  2. Strategiczni says

    October 2, 2019 at 4:39 AM

    I agree with you. Definitely the easiest way to be better paid is change of job.

    Reply
  3. Jenson says

    October 8, 2019 at 1:35 AM

    I agree 100%
    Work hard, learn from experiences then look for better opportunities in another company.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.



Create your own blog in 20 minutes and $20

Personal Capital, a free tool to change your financial health today

101 Cents at a Time

101 Ways to Earn Extra Money on the Side
201 Frugal and Perfect Birthday Gifts
101 Ways to Save Money Everyday
101 Ways to be Better and Successful at Work
101 Ways to Save Environment and Energy
101 Frugal and Romantic Anniversary Ideas
101 Low-Cost Men's Fashion Ideas
101 Personal Finance Tips
101 Ways to Reuse Household Stuff
101 Things to Do, When Nothing to Do
101 College Graduation Gift Ideas
100 Tips for Ecommerce Startup
101 Ways to Enjoy Indoor During Winter

Popular Posts

Quick Cash - How to make $100 legally, in a day
Living well on less than $10,000 a Year
Top survey sites for side income
What to do when auto repair goes wrong
Where should I invest my money now?
20 Ways to be productive and happy at work
51 Ways to get out of debt
Be a better person in 15 days, 15 ways
Income ideas for retirees and senior citizens
51 side jobs for college students
Urgently need a large amount of money?
Should I buy or should I rent?
Best Personal loan providers
25 Ways to save environment
25 DIY car repairs to save money
How to decorate office cubicle
How to show your wife you care
50 Financial Rules for Success
51 Frugal weekend family activity ideas
Become Rich By Saving 1 Hour Of Daily Wage
How much do I need to save for retirement?
How to negotiate your salary

Follow us on FaceBook

About Author

SB

Blogger by choice and IT manager by profession. Finance is my passion and gardening is my greatest satisfaction. Born in India, settled in US, Husband and a father. I created this blog in 2011 with a vision to help others. Thanks for your patronage. More info on my "about" page.

View all posts


Subscribe

Join our community of 5000+ subscribers to increase net worth and build wealth

Advertisements

The Tuttle Twins coupon code

Personal Stories

How I got a new HP computer replaced
Was COVID circulating in USA in fall of 2019?
How my credit score went up 800+
Why I didn’t invest in Bitcoins
How I controlled impulses to buy things
Why this blog is named One Cent at a Time

Subscribe via Email

Site Disclaimer

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in this web site are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Read full Affiliate disclosure


One Cent at a Time is published by SB. The opinions expressed herein by him are his own and not those of his employer or anyone else. All content on One Cent at a Time is for entertainment purposes only. By reading this blog, you agree that SB and/or One Cent at a Time is not responsible for any actions taken after reading this blog. For the full disclaimer, click here .

Major Media Mention

One Cent at a Time Media Appearances

Copyright © 2021 One Cent At A Time · Designed by Nuts and Bolts Media
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.