Salary re-negociation : How to? 1

[FrenchCAD]

Soon arriving at the end of my first year of activity, I will have to see my Human Ressources Manager to analyze this year and talk about my carreer evolution.

This, of course, includes salary re-negociation.

As many of you here already have some experience with this, I wonder what tips you could give me regarding this interview.

What do you take into account to negociate your salary? What percentage seems reasonnable to ask?

Thanks for your enlightment

Cyril Guichard
Mechanical Engineer Consultant
France

 

[Standing]

Here in California we do not negotiate salary. We are just thankful we still have a job to come back to. Most of us are getting 3% at the company I work for. If this is your first year and you are young, stay there at your company for 5 years. Then quit for more money.
Your boss is the one who decides what raise you get within company guidelines of course. Human Resources wants’ to give you least amount they can and still keep you.


Bradley

 

[MadMango]

Cite your accomplishments over the past year. Get HR to think ROI. How much value have you added to the company, and what it will take them to keep you employed.

"But what... is it good for?"
Engineer at the Advanced Computing Systems Division of IBM, 1968, commenting on the microchip.
Have you read faq731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

 

[Standing]

Yes MadMango is right. I guess I am just depressed for only getting 3% per year for the last 7 years. Everyone else is also getting 3% or I would think it was just me.

Bradley

 

[ctopher]

I agree with Bradley & MadMango. Here at this company we did not get raises for 3.5 years. I am thankfull I still have my job, alot others were let go.

 

[aspearin1]

Accept whatever criticism which may come. 3% is pretty standard. If you are above expectations you can expect around 3%... but expectations increase each time. If generally only do what is expected, you may get less of a raise the next year. Then again, it really depends on what value you've brought to your company. If you've been lucky enough to land an account that contributes significantly to the bottom line, have documentation... and have patience. This may result a 4.5% raise or an earlier than normal promotion, which in my company equates to about a 10% raise. Times are tough, and I personally have not been one to be grateful for at least having a job or satisfied with 3% raises... But at the end of the day.... I'm still employed, and making more money than the day before.

ChemE, M.E. EIT
"The only constant in life is change." -Bruce Lee

 

[corus]

As a percentage you should ask/get a minimum of the inflation rate at that time based upon the Retail Price Index including mortgage rate rises (some governments exclude the latter in order to paint a rosier picture of the economy) if you want to maintain your salary in real terms. Currently the inflation rate in France is about 2% I believe based upon consumer prices.
In general, if the company is large, then they can afford to give you an extra 3% on that figure of 2% with no costs to them. This is based upon a 10% turnover of staff where in general older, more expensive staff, are replaced by younger and cheaper staff. An individual in the company can then have his salary increased by about 3% but the overall salary bill to the company remains unchanged on average. This is why teachers in many countries can expect an inflation rate increase in their salary plus a 'step-up' the ladder of about 3% and yet the cost to the goverment is only the general increase due to inflation. If you're in a smaller company then it's more difficult to argue that case.

corus