New job - should I not ask?

[Cupcake143]

I started a new job last Monday, and I actually like it so far. During the interview, I was asked about what pay I would like, and I said $13-14/hr, and then one of them (interviewed by two people) ask what would you want so that you would stay and not still be looking for another job, and then I said at least $14/hr.

When I started the job on Monday, they didn’t tell me my pay rate. I filled out the paper work last week, but I still don’t know what my hourly rate is. I am assuming it’s 14/hr. I’m getting my paycheck next Friday. I kind of wish I said $16/hr, because that’s what I was getting at my last job (it was a temporary position), and I liked what I was making each week with that hourly rate. They are really cool and laid back, so I was thinking to email the controller and ask her if there’s any way I could get $16/hr and take on more responsibilities, or should I not ask?

 

[underacloud]

You’ve already started a job and don’t know what they are paying you? That’s weird.

Anyway, you might as well wait to see what they do pay you before raising the issue. But since you asked for $14ph, I think it would be very strange to immediately ask for more if they meet that request. By all means ask for more pay and more responsibility when appropriate, but asking so soon may make them quite suspicious of you.

If you do ask for more, you should present a case, such as saying you’ve found that similar roles to this one that you’ve seen lately have been at $16ph. You can also note that it was your previous wage too. But…you need to be ready for them to say no and what that will mean for you.

 

[Little_Sheep]

You’ve already started a job and don’t know what they are paying you? That’s weird.

Anyway, you might as well wait to see what they do pay you before raising the issue. But since you asked for $14ph, I think it would be very strange to immediately ask for more if they meet that request. By all means ask for more pay and more responsibility when appropriate, but asking so soon may make them quite suspicious of you.

If you do ask for more, you should present a case, such as saying you’ve found that similar roles to this one that you’ve seen lately have been at $16ph. You can also note that it was your previous wage too. But…you need to be ready for them to say no and what that will mean for you.

Yes, it is strange that what they will pay you wasn’t hammered out before you started. Additionally, as a former recruiter, usually potential employers ask potential employees what they were making at their last job. If they had done this, you would have had the opportunity to say, “$16/hr and that’s really what I need to make if I come to work for you.” or something like that.

All that said - since you have already started and already told them that $14/hr is what you wanted, I don’t think it would be appropriate for you to now ask for $16/hr. It may well lead to some negative feelings on their part. Now, in a few months, if things are going well, it would be fine to offer to take on more responsibility for a higher salary.

In any event, it is completely appropriate for you to say, “Hey - I am not clear on what I am being paid to do this job. I know that we talked about $14/hr - can you verify for me that this is what my salary is?” (But don’t be surprised if they tell you the number is $13/hr)

People primarily work for money. People need to know what they make in order to order their finances. I’m concerned that the cool, laid back vibe of this company may be an indicator that they are loose-goosey about leadership and that’s not necessarily a good thing. A good manager tells an employee what they will be paid before that employee starts working.

I hope this job works out for you!

 

[1ke]

I started a new job last Monday, and I actually like it so far. During the interview, I was asked about what pay I would like, and I said $13-14/hr, and then one of them (interviewed by two people) ask what would you want so that you would stay and not still be looking for another job, and then I said at least $14/hr.

When I started the job on Monday, they didn’t tell me my pay rate. I filled out the paper work last week, but I still don’t know what my hourly rate is. I am assuming it’s 14/hr. I’m getting my paycheck next Friday. I kind of wish I said $16/hr, because that’s what I was getting at my last job (it was a temporary position), and I liked what I was making each week with that hourly rate. They are really cool and laid back, so I was thinking to email the controller and ask her if there’s any way I could get $16/hr and take on more responsibilities, or should I not ask?

Lesson learned. Say what you mean and mean what you say in your interview. Negotiate your pay before you accept an offer.

You were not honest with them regarding your target pay, and you told them $14.

You need to ask your supervisor what your hourly rate is, don’t just wonder about it.

You are young. You will learn. And NO, you do not go to anyone and ask for more money a week after you have begun a job.

 

[pianistclare]

I imagine $14 an hour.


The time to ask is BEFORE you sign papers.

 

[dreamer29]

If I was asked what I would like to be paid, I might say 100,000 a year, but that kidding aside I now ask what the position pays for the area. (Since I am looking for IT jobs back in New Jersey.) I don’t want to under sell myself, which I did in my current job.

Also, helps to know what the pay is, a ballpark figure, before the interview. If I really needed the job I would accept what is being offered, but if I did not, I would ask for what I want to be paid as I know waiting to get the money I really what to make from yearly raises might take a few years.

 

[WJeffrey]

Lesson learned. Say what you mean and mean what you say in your interview. Negotiate your pay before you accept an offer.

You were not honest with them regarding your target pay, and you told them $14.

You need to ask your supervisor what your hourly rate is, don’t just wonder about it.

You are young. You will learn. And NO, you do not go to anyone and ask for more money a week after you have begun a job.

It is a lot easier to view the OP’s situation when your work experience is in a profession like the priesthood where salary is black and white.

In the real world dealing with small businesses or larger employers in economically depressed areas, there is a lot more grey area. Employers will not make salaries clear and pushing the issue will cause them to hire one of the 15 people willing to take the job for less money.

The question becomes whether you want to work for a person like this. 9/10 times it will not end well and you will discover the reason why there is a job opening being offered to you.

If you want to keep a roof over your head and your children fed, you take the job and hope for the best.

You are right that once you take the job, you shouldn’t push the issue unless there is a non-confrontational way to do it.

I wouldn’t rule out renegotiating if it can be done without confrontation. Since there has been no meeting of the minds on salary, it is still an open question. Asking for a raise above any figure discussed is probably not a good idea.

My advice would be to start work and keep looking for another job. You will probably discover that your employer is not the most honest and ethical employer around.

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

I started a new job last Monday, and I actually like it so far. During the interview, I was asked about what pay I would like, and I said $13-14/hr, and then one of them (interviewed by two people) ask what would you want so that you would stay and not still be looking for another job, and then I said at least $14/hr.

When I started the job on Monday, they didn’t tell me my pay rate. I filled out the paper work last week, but I still don’t know what my hourly rate is. I am assuming it’s 14/hr. I’m getting my paycheck next Friday. I kind of wish I said $16/hr, because that’s what I was getting at my last job (it was a temporary position), and I liked what I was making each week with that hourly rate. They are really cool and laid back, so I was thinking to email the controller and ask her if there’s any way I could get $16/hr and take on more responsibilities, or should I not ask?

I know people have already pointed this out but… You accepted and then worked a job that you didn’t know the rate of pay??? In general “life lessons” principle I kinda hope it’s 9.00 An hour…
My guess is that you should prepare yourself for 13 because that was the lowest you said. I hope it is more…

 

[1ke]

It is a lot easier to view the OP’s situation when your work experience is in a profession like the priesthood where salary is black and white.

I’m confused by this statement. Are you referring to yourself when you mention the priesthood?

The OP is not a priest. Neither am I.

I am not sure what this comment has to do with the OP’s situation.

 

[Graceful_Lamb]

My personal opinion is to hold off a couple of months. As Monicad pointed out, be early, etc. Be the best employee you can be.

Start looking up online what someone in your position with your level experience would reasonably be paid in your local area. Then, take it from there. If $15.00 is the average for what you do, then asking for $X.XX in a raise would be a reasonable request.

Be prepared to ask why you deserve a raise. Keep a book of your achievements. If a customer writes you a thank you note or gives you a compliment, ask them to also forward that to your boss as well.

 

[Catholic1954]

It sounds to me that you agreed to $14.00. If you really like working for them and plan to stay, start looking for the next promotion and learn all you can about the job. You will be making $16.00 or more in no time!

 

[WJeffrey]

I’m confused by this statement. Are you referring to yourself when you mention the priesthood?

The OP is not a priest. Neither am I.

I am not sure what this comment has to do with the OP’s situation.

Sorry. I assumed you were a Priest. You generally have an authoritative way of stating things. You often sound like a Priest. I’d take it as a compliment. There certainly was zero negative intention on my part.

I don’t know how much experience you have with the world of $12 per hour jobs, but in many parts of the country you really don’t have any other options available to you. Negotiating a salary is not an assured option if you want the job at a company of under 50 employees. I think chalking the OP’s position as being youthful ignorance is too harsh.

If her employer wasn’t planning to be manipulative, he would have stated her salary before she started working. If she would have stated $16 or even $14 dollars, he would have said, “I will get back to you” and hired someone else. She should understand this on day one of work, and she should continue to look for work.

In an ideal world, she should follow your advice. Life isn’t always an ideal world. If you don’t have options, you shut your mouth, show up to work and look for employment elsewhere. You will be treating the employer with the same loyalty he is treating you with when he hasn’t clarified your salary with you before day one of work.

 

[Sunbreak]

It would not be a good idea to ask for a better salary immediately. Wait until you have proved yourself as a good employee. They may have hired you because of what you said you would accept.

 

[Anglewannabe]

. I kind of wish I said $16/hr, because that’s what I was getting at my last job (it was a temporary position), and I liked what I was making each week with that hourly rate.

Everyone likes to make more money, that is not a good selling point when asking for a raise

. I was thinking to email the controller

Email ! I would NEVER put a raise request in an email and unless the controller was one of the people who interviewed you or your immediate supervisor, do NOT bring such requests to her

. and ask her if there’s any way I could get $16/hr and take on more responsibilities, or should I not ask?

Just because you are willing to take on more responsibility, it does NOT mean there actually are more responsibilities that exist. Everyone wants to sell me a ‘better’ product, I don’t need the better product so they don’t make the sale.

First, master the responsibilities you do have, prove you can take on more (and that requires more than a week to prove), then find out what other responsibilities exist and offer to take those on. Actually, why not improve a procedure and do the little extra now. It will give you more credibility