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Preparing for first year review
I apologize this is long...
My first yearly review is coming up and I'm in need of advice.
When I accepted this job almost a year ago, I was so thrilled to have an offer after months of unemployment and interviewing with no luck that I made the mistake of not negotiating (I know, I know, I?ve learned my lesson here).
Here were my reasoning for not negotiating at the time:
1. The job title. This job title will allow me the change of career I was seeking. Even though I had done management in my previous position, my previous titles never conveyed it. It was a wonderful step to get my foot in the door and work towards a new career direction.
2. The offer they had made was a 45% increase from my previous position.I was underpaid at my last position so the % is a skewed.
3. I did my research on the salary. I couldn?t find much info on my company but I looked at similar jobs in similar companies and thought the offer was okay, given I didn?t have the experience they desired (see #4).
4. I had previously interviewed for jobs that I was definitely more
qualified for with no luck, this job required degrees/experiences that I didn't
have so I was thrilled that they saw the potential in me to give me the chance
and not reject me for not having the qualifications they had asked for on the job
description. So I was going into this position with less than ideal experience
and they were counting on me to learn a lot on the job (and learn it fast).
5. It was a temporary (year long contract) position, so I looked at it as a great opportunity to change careers and have it on my resume and hopefully move onto another position with this experience.
I've learned so much in one year than I ever did in 14 years of working and I am very thankful for the opportunity. I enjoy being mentally challenged and stimulated on a daily basis. I have however lost my life/work balance. I am usually at work for 12 hours and then still responding to inquiries when I get home and even think about work related issues when I am asleep. The job is challenging and stressful and definitely not for everyone. I am hoping that with more experience it?ll get better?but will be reevaluating the issue in the next few months.
Here is the issue: What to say? What should I expect? In my two previous jobs, both bosses made me fill out the review paperwork and they would just sign it, we never sat or talked about career development so in a sense this is my first real "review".
I know that I've accomplished
so much in the last year and learned an amazing amount (tangible things I can
mention in the interview)..Ideally, I would like to get more than the cost of living raise. I have never negotiated so besides giving a list of things I have accomplished, is there anything else I need to say?
I am trying to be proactive and prepare myself for this conversation....
Your advice is appreciated.
Re: Preparing for first year review
Here is the issue: What to say? What should I expect? In my two previous jobs, both bosses made me fill out the review paperwork and they would just sign it, we never sat or talked about career development so in a sense this is my first real "review".
IMO there's nothing wrong with asking what to expect. Either ask HR, or your boss, or your co-workers. They can give you insight on whether this is more a formality and you have no real input, or whether what you say/do at the actual discussion will have an impact.
I know that I've accomplished so much in the last year and learned an amazing amount (tangible things I can mention in the interview)..Ideally, I would like to get more than the cost of living raise. I have never negotiated so besides giving a list of things I have accomplished, is there anything else I need to say?
I think the only thing you can do is go in armed with all of your accomplishments, and research on what the position should pay, and have a realistic bump you're looking for. But (and I know it sounds cliche), in this economy many people are happy just to have jobs, or a COL raise. A few other things to consider:
Raises may be determined by someone other than your boss, and earlier in the year. At my last job, my review was in October (the month I started there), but requests for raises had to be submitted by January. By the time I had my review there was no negotiation.
Is this still a temporary position? That can affect your leveraging power
You will need to decide what to do if they say "this is what you're getting, it's a COL raise (or no raise at all), and it's the best we can do"
You will also need to figure out what to say if they ask if you plan to stick around, because it sounds like you may not. They may not be inclined to give you much of anything if you hint that you may walk soon.
GL
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Don't drink the water.
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Thank you Dr. Loretta!
I did more research and know how much similar positions pay for. The budget they had set aside for my position was about 68% more than what they offered me. I do realize I didn't have the experience they had asked for and I by no means expected that huge of a raise without the experience (again thankful that they took the risk to take me on without the experience.) I'm just saying I know what was budgeted for my position.
I did ask coworkers and they said the COL raises go through in December and usually there is a performance paperwork that is completed on your anniversary by my boss. I don't know if that will be the case for me as well as I am still considered a temporary.
I am trying to prepare myself for all the scenarios...they won't extend my time? they would make a permanent? they offer the COL? they offer a 5% raise? they don't offer anything?
I don't need to give an answer right there during the review, correct? I will not give the impression that if I don't get a good raise I'd want to leave.. And honestly it's not so much the money issue for me as it is a sanity issue.