You Are Not Being Paid Enough. Here's What You Need To Do

Ah, salary, the most sensitive topics for a conversation. Have you ever asked a friend how much they get paid? They will either say “Eh, I will survive” or just laugh it off.

But what about you, are you being paid well enough?

If you want to figure out how your salary compares to your peers, you can try Maukerja’s “Salary Report”

How to use Maukerja’s Salary Report

Step 1: Select your department

Currently there are 8 departments: Human Resources, Customer Service, Call Centre, Accounting, Marketing, Sales, Manufacturing/Engineering, Hotel/Restaurant/Tourism, and Retail

Step 2:  Choose your job title

You can choose your job title based on the department you are in, choose from Human Resources Administrator to Retail Cashier

Step 3: Click on "Gaji Ngam Tak"

Tap on “Gaji Ngam Tak” and see the average salary of the chosen position. The salary is different based on the position level from non-executive to director / C-level.

Though experts recommend seeking advice from mentors in addition to doing online research, using this tool can provide a helpful way to know where you stand on the pay scale.

If you feel your work has been pretty tough and that you are being underpaid, ask for a raise. We know, it’s scary to ask for a raise. Only half of job seekers negotiate their salary. These three steps can help make the process less intimidating.

1. Build your case & prepare for the meeting

Collect information to show why you deserve a raise. If you’re an above-average employee who is significantly contributing to the bottom line, you have a strong case to apply for a raise.

Use your performance review to support your case. Show some examples and milestones that show you’ve done more than your daily responsibilities. Document the ways that you helped your organisation achieve its goals and highlight the important roles you have played.

2. Use the right language

First, you should express your appreciation for the opportunity to discuss your progress as well as your future with the organisation. Share what you’ve learned and experienced. Let them know how much you’ve added to the progress of the company.

Second, concentrate on using language that expresses shared goals and common interests between the company and you. This will help you make your case. Using “we” and “our” can make your boss more open to your request.
 

3. State your request

After sharing how much you have contributed to the company, ask for a raise.

Example: “Given what I’ve shared, I’m hoping that we can open up the dialogue about increasing compensation by X percent to (the higher salary). What do you think?”

4. Don’t just ask for money

If your organisation cannot offer you a raise, you can try to negotiate for something else. Request for more vacation days, time to work from home or to be added on future projects.

Asking for more paid time off or flexibility in your schedule provides great benefit to you and little cost to the employer, which is a win-win situation.
 

Do you know that 75% of raise requests result in some kind of salary bump. So don’t worry, the odds are in your favour. Even if you don’t get the raise, you’ll receive valuable feedback on what you can do to improve your chances of earning a raise. You can always refer to Maukerja's Salary Report to find out if you think your raise request is a little too high.

This article is based on "Here's how to tell if you're not getting paid enough, and how to fix it" by Marguerite Ward.