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Are You Being Offered Fair Compensation?

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When going into a job interview, it can be challenging to estimate how much is a fair wage for the position, based on your experience and credentials, among other factors. Before accepting a position, it is crucial that you fully understand how you are being compensated and if it compares to other opportunities around you.

Check Glassdoor or similar websites.

Websites like this can give you a good insight into what someone with your experience may be making in your geographical area. Because salaries are very dependent upon the cost of living, minimum wage, etc. in your area, it is important that you compare your salary with the right population. Glassdoor allows you to search for wages based on a multitude of factors. Make sure to search not only based on the job title but also on the responsibilities of your position. A company may call a position with director-level responsibilities a “specialist.” When in doubt, base the compensation off of responsibilities, not a job title.

Speak with other professionals in your area.

It can be helpful to talk with others in your profession about their own compensation or the compensation of others in their company at your level. Speaking with other real people about their experiences in the field can set reasonable expectations for your own compensation.

Consider benefits and perks.

Benefits and perks (or lack thereof) can contribute to what your final salary would end up being. When comparing what other companies in your area are paying employees, make sure to take their benefits into account. The preference for more benefits vs. more salary is more of a personal choice if they are equal in value. Make sure that you are being compensated comparably to others in your position.

Use the resources around you to set reasonable expectations to make the best decisions when it comes to accepting compensation. Set yourself up for success—fairly compensated success!

Are you currently on the job hunt? Check out JSG’s open positions here!

How To Ask For A Pay Raise

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MONEY! Do I have your attention now? Great. We all wouldn’t mind making a little more, right? It can be difficult to know when and how to ask for a pay raise. Asking for a pay raise in a respectful and timely manner is key to getting the wage you want. Here’s how to do it the right way!

When to Ask for a Raise

Knowing what time is appropriate to ask for a pay raise is key to having a successful conversation about your wage. Consider your anniversary date. It is generally appropriate to ask for a raise yearly. A few more things to consider:

  • Have you taken on more responsibility lately?
  • Have you recently reached a milestone in your job? (e.g., a certain number of sales made)
  • Do you have a performance review coming up?

The above reasons (and more) can be GREAT reasons to request a raise from your employer.

How Much to Ask for

Do your research! Websites like Glassdoor can help you get a reasonable idea of what someone can expect to make in your position, sometimes even at your specific company! Be sure to research your particular experience level, location, and job title. Use this information to create reasonable expectations for what you can ask your employer. Don’t undersell yourself, but also don’t ask for too high of a pay raise. A too high request will be shot down immediately, but one within reason will be considered, especially if you advocate for yourself well.

How to Ask for a Pay Raise

You know what Aretha Franklin said: R.E.S.P.E.C.T. Enter the meeting with your manager/boss with humility. While it is important to advocate for yourself when you deserve a raise, it is also crucial to recognize that you are not guaranteed this raise. Give your employer concrete reasons why you think you deserve the raise you are asking for. Give tangible numbers of goals you have met and work you have completed.

Asking for a pay raise is intimidating. Go forth with confidence and be humble and flexible in your meeting. Your employer will appreciate your boldness in asking and your humanity in humility. You got this!

Will A New Job Pay You More?

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It has long been rumored that in order to “get what you’re worth,” you need to be constantly on the move. In fact, it was recommended that you change jobs as often as every two or three years to get the most bang for your buck. However, this might not be the case anymore. According to the ADP’s latest Workforce Vitality Report, employees who stayed at their jobs in 2020 garnered an average pay raise of 4%, while those who landed new jobs averaged a raise of 5%. So, the question remains, is that 1% worth a switch? Here are four instances in which a new job that pays more would be worth it.

You are being paid below-market-rate

This is an instance in which you may be able to secure more than a 5% raise when switching jobs. Do your research on sites like LinkedIn, salary.com, or Payscale to discover the market rate for someone with the same amount of experience in your role. Additionally, search job boards or talk to a recruiter to see what people hiring are willing to pay. Employers that are satisfied with paying employees less than they are worth will have difficulty retaining talent in today’s modern job market.

You are not happy in your current work environment

This may seem obvious, but it is notoriously easy to stay in a role that pays well but drains your happiness. If you are unhappy at your current job, even a lateral move can make an enormous difference in total value. Certainly, it’s worth investigating and having a conversation to see what else is out there.

You are receiving interest from other employers

It’s no secret that companies are hiring right now. In fact, many are desperate to add to their teams. If recruiters are contacting you, it is absolutely worth having a conversation. Likewise, have an updated resume and cover letter template ready to go. That way, if a job pops up on your LinkedIn feed, you can be ready to apply quickly. You might just be surprised to discover how much interest you receive!

If you feel that it’s time to make a move, follow your gut! Explore our open positions here, or contact us to speak with a recruiter in your area.

3 Ways To Ensure You Get The Salary You Deserve

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It may seem like an odd time to talk about salary with everything else going on. However, we believe that there is no wrong time to broach this subject and pursue your true value. That doesn’t mean that salary conversations are all smooth-sailing, though! You need to prepare ahead of time, and these three steps will give you the confidence to ask for the salary you deserve.

1. Know Your Worth

Whenever you’re searching for a new job, you should first and foremost know your worth. This is based on a variety of metrics, including your past salaries and experiences. Additionally, you need to do your research. Estimate and compare your salaries on sites such as Payscale, LinkedIn, and salary.com. Once you have collected a few different numbers, choose a range in which you’re comfortable. What is your preferred number? What is the absolute lowest you will accept?

Also, you should have a big picture view of your desired benefits. Sometimes, you may accept a lower salary for full health insurance, additional vacation time, or a matching 401k. Understanding what’s most important to you will allow you to make an informed decision when the time comes.

2. Be Prepared To Negotiate

There are few times that salary will be offered without room for negotiation. If the offer comes in a little less than you expected, don’t be afraid to ask for the salary you deserve. As mentioned above, make sure you have a solid list of non-negotiables and minimum requirements. If the employer is unwilling to budge or meet you halfway, and you feel that you have accurately estimated your worth, you can turn the offer down. Even in today’s tumultuous market, your work is still valuable!

3. Partner With A Recruiter

One of the best ways to ensure that you’re getting the pay you deserve is to partner with a recruiter. We have been trained to go to bat for you. We understand market trends and have built relationships with hiring managers. A recruiter literally lifts these burdens off your shoulders.

Are you ready to take the next step in your career and get the salary you deserve? Explore our open positions or collect more job search tips here.

S is for Salary: How to Find Your Worth

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find your worth

Have you ever wondered whether you are being fairly paid? At some point in our careers, we have all wondered this phenomenon. However, most of us don’t know how to check whether this is true or not.

If you believe you are underpaid and want to do some research before negotiating a raise with your boss, here are some resources to help you find your worth.

Know Your Worth

You need to do a little research to get an idea of what you’re worth. Glassdoor’s Know Your Worth tool is a great place to start. This tool is a personalized calculator that provides a custom salary estimate based on the following details:

  • Your job title
  • The type of company you work for
  • Your location
  • And your years of experience

The best part of this Glassdoor tool is that it will reveal your market value and how it has trended over time. It will also help you know how your value compares with similar workers in the same industry.

If you punch all your information into the tool and you find that you are significantly underpaid, this will be a great first step in your negotiation process.

Salary Wizard

Don’t worry about awkwardly asking your peers what they make to get an idea of what you’re worth. Similar to the Know Your Worth tool, Salary.com has a tool called Salary Wizard, which offers pay ranges with over 4,000 different job titles in just about every industry.

This tool establishes a range of what you could be worth, and ultimately, what you should ask for in your next salary negotiations!

Self-Assess Your Experience

You need to reflect on your professional experience and see how far you’ve come from your first day on the job to today. Make a list of the things you’ve accomplished and briefly explain how they’ve helped progress your career and how they’ve benefited the companies you’ve worked for.

If you’ve completed extra classes to help improve your skills at work, helped cut expenses for your department, or even just have spent years doing volunteer work that makes you a better person, these are all things to help you calculate your value.

Everyone has unique experiences and they should be factored into your evaluation of your worth. Sure, calculators and other tools (like the ones discussed above) can give you an idea of what you are worth; however, you’re the one who ultimately evaluates your personal worth.

At the end of the day, all these factors contribute to your worth!