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Not earning enough
I'd like some advice on what to do. I have a decent day job, where I've worked for 5 years. The first two years I worked there, I received a raise at each yearly review. My last raise was when I was promoted to the position I am now in. I have since done *major* revamping to my department.
They suspended raises once the recession hit, which was shortly after my second annual raise. I'm now making $30k. For over a year, I was also working a side job at a restaurant for another $10k a year, but there was a weather-related incident that has had the restaurant closed for 5 months. I've looked for other restaurant jobs, but nobody wants to hire me due to the hours I work at my day job. (I get off work at 6 pm, most server jobs require you to be there around 4 in the afternoon.)
Now I'm not sure what to do. Even if I asked for a raise, there's no way I could get a $10k raise at my day job, even if I do feel like I've done enough in the last three years to deserve a major pay increase. (If I received raises over the last three years on par with what I received my first two, I'd be making $7500 more.) They told me at my first yearly review $3000 was the maximum pay increase.
I've even looked into getting a new job entirely, but I can't find anything I'm qualified for that pays more than I'm making now, and most are offering less. Office work is really all I feel qualified for.
What should I do? I just bought a car two months before the restaurant was shut down, because obviously I wasn't expecting disaster to strike. I can barely afford to pay the bills.
Should I ask for a raise? I can't imagine they'd give me one since they haven't gave anyone a raise in 3 years. Keep looking for another day job that pays better?
Re: Not earning enough
IMO it wouldn't hurt to ask for a raise, detailing why you feel you've earned one. The worst they can say is no.
Is office work all you really ARE qualified for, or are you selling yourself short? Have you considered applying to higher paying jobs that have more of a learning curve but would pay off (more than monetarily) over the long term? Have you thought about some online schooling/certifications to make yourself more marketable? Have you considered moving?
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If you go to MM they'll have some great advice about expenses, but they'll be really blunt.
Do you like what you do? You didn't address that. Is this a field you want to stay in? You don't want to be caught continually chasing the check, you want to be in a field you want to grow in and enjoy, IMO.
I would take a look at your budget first and see what fat you can trim out first. Like only basic cable, no smartphones (or the plans!), no eating out, etc.
Well, office work and restaurant work is really all I have experience in. I don't meet the experience requirements for most other types of jobs as listed in their ads.
And I used to love my job. Lately, though, I just feel taken advantage of and discontent. I don't know if this is due to the money issues, or if I just started to dislike and resent my co-workers. But I'd be willing to put up with a lot if I felt I was being fairly compensated.
And I've trimmed my budget so hard, that's not really an issue. I'm making *JUST* enough, but I'm one disaster away from complete chaos.
If I asked for a raise, what would be a fair amount to ask for? They suspended raises for a reason, so why should they pay me what they would have paid me if they hadn't suspended raises?
Ask for a raise. It won't hurt. Also look for another day job that will pay you more.
Consider something else besides a restaurant. And do not assume no one wants you either due to your hours. Try retail. Or... work one weekend day.
I work 3.5 hours two evenings a week. I get there at about 6pm. We work no later than 10pm. I'm good, they like me and I do an excellent job. Do my hours suck? Yes, but they keep me because of my work product.
Good advice...I'm in a similar situation. I've worked at my current company for a year and a half now (first job out of school)...raises were suspended before I started, so despite a stellar annual review I didn't receive a raise, which I expected however I also wasn't given a clear idea of how my career would progress, which was even more disappointing. I was told to "just trust that there would be opportunity for me. Eventually."
I explained that following the layoff of a coworker, I had done double the work for 5 months, with no extra compensation, while maintaining the same standard of support for my team as 2 people. (Blah blah blah...all the other stuff I had accomplished over the last year.) I got nada.
Then, about a month ago we received news that everyone was going to take a 5% paycut...so I'm actually making less now than I was when I started. It's been extremely rough and I feel like no matter what I do I am not being offered the compensation or advancement opportunities I deserve. Whats worse, I've discussed this all with my boss, which hasn't led to anything productive, but has made everything extraordinarily awkward as she now knows how unhappy I am. Good times.
I guess the bottom line is, it can't hurt to ask especially if you have good rationale to back it up...but it may not lead to anything. And it sucks lol.
If after showing your company why you deserve a raise, you are still not given a raise, I would start sending out your resume. Its not going to hurt anything to apply to other places. Nothing is going to happen if you don't make the effort. It may be that the only way you can earn more money is to change jobs. Maybe you can look into internal positions if you really like the company, or maybe you are just going to have to step out of your comfort zone and find a new challenge.
If you want a second job serving that is more flexible, for example, just Saturdays and Sundays, have you considered being a temp or working for a catering company? I am currently a temp banquet server and bartender. The pay isn't fantastic, but it is supplemental income. And the flexibility is awesome. I only take jobs on weekends when I'm available. My temp company sends me out to catering jobs when the on-site catering doesn't have enough of their own staff to work the event. There's no tips (unless I'm bartending.) And most catering companies ONLY need people for weddings and parties on Saturday nights, so that would fit into your schedule. Just a thought.
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