Promotions in Engineering?

[Senselessticker]

What is the average time for before a young engineer (fresh out-a-school) usually receives a promotion/raise (not counting annual 3-4% inflation raise)? 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, 4 years, 5 years? Anyone have any personal experiences they would like to share?

 

[Rheinhardt]

Dear Senslessticker
I am in a verysimilar situation to yours, we are not a huge company but have about 100 staff members or so.. Its not so hard to imagine that your actual work done at times goes far beyond a persons job description..

When i started with the company my salary was below industry standards i went through a probation period where i was promised a raise if my work was satisfactory.. After the first year i went to the Managing Director of our company.. He adjusted accordingly, they were vey happy with my work.. Now more than a year on my responsibilities hav grown..Moved on to bigger projects..more time away from home... No increase.. Back in the same boat , it seems there is no such thing as a pay performance review.
When you unhappy go to him and explain , beg , ect..

Needless to say i have also had my eye on Local papers and websites to see when and if anything worthwile will come available..


PS: If it takes you 2 months longer to complain, thats 2 month of your increase in his pocket..in my case at least



--Off all the things i've lost , i miss my mind the most--

 

[Ashereng]

Senseless,

If I got another offer, I would evaluate it on its own merits. As I have indicated in other posts, I know what I want. If it is offered, then I take it.

In your case, you gave your company a chance to give you what you want (a raise in this case). Why would you want to give them 2 chances when another employer is already offering you what you are looking for? If I was the new employer, I would be ticked off since it appears you intereviewed for the job with no intentions of taking it, but only to leverage it with your current employer. No one likes to feel used.

Do you?



"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."
Albert Einstein
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

 

[Senselessticker]

Ashereng,

I think I understand the point you are trying to make, but really... Is going to a couple interviews and maybe/maybe not taking an offer from the company really "using" them? Should I have written "I'm sorry for misleading you" letters to all the employers I've turned down in my life?

In any case, the US is a society where "leverage" is the driving force of our economy. Do you think my current employer (or any future employer) will/doesn't use financial leverage to advance the business plan of the company?

Hmmm...maybe I should put a disclaimer on my resume indicating although I may receive a job offer, its possible I may not take position. That way, I will not hurt the tender feelings of the ever so emotionally sensitive corporate america!!

 

[Ashereng]

Senseless,

That is the other side of the same coin. I understand your arguements and justifications.

Like I said, if I was the employer making the offer, I would feel used.

Here in my litter part of the world, it is truely a "small world", and people have long memories and many friends. Maybe where you are, things are different.

Anyway, what you do is up to you - I am not trying to persuade you, just sharing my thoughts.



"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."
Albert Einstein
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

 

[kchayfie]

I'm in exactly the same position at the moment. My boss has asked his boss to get me a promotion. His boss has asked his boss to promote me. That guy is the director who gets to take it to the next board meeting for approval, but unfortunately he's the passive one in this chain. I'm just hoping the other directors are in a good mood at the next board meeting.

I have been warned though, that promotions here tend to happen twice a year (March and September). So I'll hold off doing anything hasty until September passes (bearing in mind my boss started this process in May, so its been going a while). Maybe your company has a similar policy so it might be worth asking round before you rock the boat too much.

 

[Senselessticker]

Ashereng,

I suppose it is different where I am (but it is a small work here). Most of the folks around here float from company to company (usually competators) chasing the almighty dollar. Many go full circle and sometimes are hired again in a supervisory position over their former boss. Few get their feelings hurt over someone "using" the system, but rather offer praise for someone who makes the right move in the chess game. I suppose most of the folks around here skipped ethics class!

However, thanks for your posts. You give me hope there is some form of dignity and respect still existing within corporate america! I suppose I'm running with the wolves in my situation.

 

[NewfieEng]

Senseless,

If I had my time back I would have let the company that didn't want to transfer me know that I was serious and I would leave if I did not get what I wanted. I am sure I would have gotten my way.

Let them know you are serious and they will most likely give you the raise you seem to deserve. If they don't they will never give that raise and you should leave them anyways.

As far as being ethical goes. Why should an employer (who for my situation I will assume to be very business orientated) pay you more for a job you are willing to do for less? Most "big bosses" got to that position because they pushed the limits and were aggressive in getting promotions and raises. I am certain that they expect to see the same drive in the people they promote. This may not be right but it is the norm, at least in my experiences.

 

[ScottyUK]

A long time ago, probably four years out of university, I was transferred within the company from a position I loved to one that I was good at but wasn't desperately keen to do. The move was pushed through while I was on vacation without even a 'for your information' phone call, my boss was over-ruled, and I walked in to find my desk had been cleared. I was absolutely fizzing, told them that I would be leaving at the next opportunity and to be grateful if I worked my notice period.

A former boss from another division who I had enormous respect for came to talk to me, try to find out if I really meant I would leave and what was necessary to persuade me to stay. I told him I wanted a 50% raise (my salary was low at that time), my old job back, and a written apology from the Engineering Director for the shameful way I had been treated. They offered me eveything but the apology. I told them to ram it where the sun doesn't shine. Maybe ethics and principles overruled money and sense, but I worked my notice right up to the bell and walked away with my head held high and a lot of good wishes from people who would become lifelong friends.

----------------------------------

Sometimes I only open my mouth to swap feet...

 

[Senselessticker]

Update: I got the promotion and pay grade bump!

 

[ctopher]

Congrat's!

Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks 06 4.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 06-21-06)

 

[johnsmith2]

how many percentage?

 

[Senselessticker]

At each annual review I've recieved 3.5% (at the beginning of each calendar year). The recent raise was an additional 4% along with a title change from Engineer I to Engineer II. I have been with the company 2 years 3 months and started right out of college. I do not expect another raise (other than yearly inflation raise ~3%) until I'm licensed (which is a big deal in my company).