Q & A Table of Contents
Pay Jump or Jump Ship?
From: Vishal, Kohlhapur, India
Question: I am working as a techno marketing person and am not paid very well, because I am still not a degree holder. How should I ask for a raise or would you suggest that I skip this job if I have better opportunity? And what if the same thing arises there too?
Please help me with this problem.
Response: If your pay is poor because you do not have educational credentials, the first questions you should ask is whether there is anything else you offer your company that could justify better pay? What about your experience? Can you point to any particular accomplishments that demonstrate you are worth more than your are paid? Are there are any specific goals the company would like you to achieve in order to justify paying you more?
If your education level is the only obstacle to better pay, do you have the time or money to get more education? Would the company help by giving you time off to pursue your studies -- or provide money to help pay fees?
To a certain extent, it sounds as if pay is the top -- or nearly the top issue in your work situation. If you enjoy your work, if you find it rewarding for more than financial reasons, then you risk making yourself unhappy if you change jobs just to make more money. Making more money at work you don't enjoy is likely to induce stress.
If pay is more important, then you need to consider how your current and future employers will look at you. If they think you are only in it for the money, they may not develop any confidence in your loyalty.
Unless you are bound by contract, it is perfectly appropriate to look for another better-paying job. Before you accept a better-paying job at another place, I wonder whether your current company might be interested in finding out that someone else places a higher value on your services. Perhaps that information might help them find a reason to pay you better to stay where you are.
Good luck with your career development -- and may you earn enough to live well.
Good luck,
Steve
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