Q & A Table of Contents
They Didn't Count All My Experience When They Hired Me -- And Still Won't
From: Reddy, Mumbai, India
Question: I joined a software development company with 2 years of Software Experience and 4 years of Electrical Engineering experience (considered not relevant). During my start only the 2 years of software experience were considered and corresponding pay and designation was given. Now it's been 3 1/2 years I was in that company. So the software experience is raised to 5 1/2 years and other irrelevant experience is ignored. Is there anyway that I can negotiate to get more raise and pay in my company as I have additional experience but not relevant to software? Or do I need to change the company?
Response: If you are working for a software development company and your electrical engineering experience was considered irrelevant when you were first hired, unless the company's needs have changed and they now have a use for electrical engineering experience, I do not see how what was once irrelevant can suddenly become relevant for calculating your pay.
Thus you have two choices: your BATNA (Best Alternative To a Negotiated Agreement) is to stay with your company knowing that your prior electrical engineering experience will never be considered something which adds to your value to the company.
You may want to search the job market in Mumbai (or other places to which you could move) to see whether there are companies that would value both your software and electrical engineering experience. If such opportunities exist, you may want to see if you can get a job offer. If a new company is interested in hiring you, you may be able to go back to your current employer and tell them, "I have been offered more money by another company -- but I feel loyal to you. Would you be prepared to match the salary they have offered me?" Your current company may not value your electrical engineering experience, but they may value your loyalty as well as prefer to keep an existing employee rather than spending the time and money to train someone new.
Good luck,
Steve
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