Well while most people would be happy with a job in this tight market we actually had a very surprising call last week from a former candidate. We had expected the typical conversation asking how the market was for their skills or discussing how their trying to get ahead of the curve as their company was about to let some people go, but no bizarrely enough they wanted us to help them ask their boss for a raise.



Wow! A raise……In the instant clutter that was my brain my first thought was you must be nuts, but upon further review why not? As we continue to note some companies are doing well enough to continue to hire so why shouldn’t people continue to get raises?



The difficulty here is in truly understanding your company’s situation and your place within it because as with any negotiation over playing your hand will cost you in the end, and in this case, possible put you in the unemployment line. So the brief rules of engagement include:



If your company has taken money from the Federal Government so they don’t go bankrupt you shouldn’t be asking for a raise.
Don’t leverage long-term career goals with your company for small short term gains in your personal bottom line.
Having a conversation with your boss about your value and that as a team player you’ll be patient and wait until times are better for an increase may be a more effective path for you, but you must have the conversation at a minimum.


So if you’re feeling under appreciated, unloved or down right stepped on because times are tough do take action, but make sure the action (risk to you) is warranted in this economy.

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