A ways back, I had to tell someone they were critically underpaid.
How would you feel if you were told you were earning half of what you should be earning?
I called up another company near her home and they said they’d pay her double what she was currently earning. It’s rare, but this happens.
The new company then did NOT pay double. They paid the exact same as the previous company. Her pay was expected to grow to double over the next year or two. Her pay would increase as she hit specific goals to prove that she was worth that much. Over a short time span, her pay raise reached double.
I constantly have people who want to get a raise or a promotion. They also want to be paid to get the training it would take to get that raise. That’s not how it works.
You PROVE you’re worth a promotion or a raise, and you get it. No sane employer will pay you more because you said “If you pay me more I’ll work harder.” You have to work for the raise first and be worth that much before you get the raise.
Be worth the raise before you get the promotion.
There are a few ways to increase what you deserve to get paid.
- Gain experience
If someone had to train you to do your job, the hours your trainer was working with you were coming straight out of your paycheck, even if your “trainer” was the internet.
- Expand your skillset
Learn to do something new. It can get you started on number 3 below, and opens up a lot of new opportunities.
- Work on what your company needs the most
If your company needs help in an area, learn about it and use it. One of the simplest ways to climb the ladder is to help a manager with their duties.
Invest in yourself. YOU are your greatest asset. Treat yourself like it. You are worth it. Invest in yourself and you’ll become worth more. Then you only have to find someone who will pay you what you’re worth.
Something To Do Today
Who is way ahead of you in pay? Are they doing what you want to do? Who is not just earning a little more, earning a lot more? Invite them to lunch. Ask them how they got there and what you need to do to get there.