8 ms·

I Would Like to Get a Raise Template for Webdevs

66 points by johnpolacek 11y ago

onion2k 11y ago
Write articles. Give talks. Share your knowledge and help others be better. Those things are great but they won't get you a raise. They'll only really help if you want a better paid job at a different company. To get a raise you need to demonstrate to your employer that you're undervalued - do really good work[1], bring in new clients, teach things to other members of your team. Raises happen internally, external things won't really help. [1] Note that this does not mean going over and above the specification of a project. That's a bad thing as far as the business is concerned because chargeable work should never be done for free. If you want a raise try suggesting things to the client that they will pay for - bringing more money in to the business always makes you look great.
- hayksaakian 11y ago
  > They'll only really help if you want a better paid job at a different company. Show the offers to your current employer and ask for a raise?
- johnpolacek 11y ago
  In my own experience, having popular open source projects, giving talks, and writing articles contributed to the overall picture of my value as an employee and helped me advance my salary. This obviously can vary depending on where you work. Doing those things also were great learning experiences, and made me better at my job. It certainly helped me feel confident that I was worth a raise, and comfortable in that if I did not get paid competitively, there would be other opportunities. Also you mention bringing in more business. Depending on your company, doing those things can bring in more business.
amelius 11y ago
If everybody starts asking for a raise, the average salary will go up, and we can start all over :) By the way, I'm wondering how one would determine the average salary for one's job in a reliable way (your boss could contend that those numbers are fake to some extent). Wouldn't it be advantageous to employees if salaries were just out in the open within a company/department? It seems to me that employers benefit most from the current situation where salaries are private.
- walshemj 11y ago
  Ask him to share those secretive surveys that hr get with all the staff
noswi 11y ago
It was very hard to read a text this bright on a white background.
- johnpolacek 11y ago
  Made it darker and increased the font size slightly. Hope that helps. :)
  - Encosia 11y ago
    Still pretty tough to read here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/036jxac9dm9l7rw/hard-to-read.PNG?dl=0 https://www.dropbox.com/s/036jxac9dm9l7rw/hard-to-read.PNG?d...
    - jlees 11y ago
      At a guess, you're using Windows and the author is using Mac? [1] (I'm also using Windows -- it's my gaming PC, don't judge! -- and having an equally difficult time.) [1] http://damieng.com/blog/2007/06/13/font-rendering-philosophies-of-windows-and-mac-os-x http://damieng.com/blog/2007/06/13/font-rendering-philosophi...
      - Encosia 11y ago
        > don't judge! Definitely don't let anyone ever judge you for that. The vast majority of desktop/laptop users are on Windows, including a slightly-less-vast majority of developers.
        couchand 11y ago
        Being in the majority is not really a laudable trait...
        Encosia 11y ago
        Seems like there's a lot of middle ground between "laudable" and "don't judge", yes?
navd 11y ago
Lately I've been experimenting with asking for raises quarterly and so far it's worked out great. My tips for people: 1) obviously know who is in charge of how much you make. Like actually get to know them. 2) find a way to stand out amongst your peers. For me it was a dedication to learning new tools that have benefited us and actually being good at my job. 3) go out of your way to get shit done and do stuff right. 4) ASK for a raise from the person in charge of your $$$ directly. Don't waste anyone's time and don't wait on the sidelines hoping people will take notice of your efforts. If you don't ask to get paid more it won't happen. 5) be so good that if your company looses you it's really going to hurt.
- walshemj 11y ago
  Quarterly that's very pushy - how's that working out I could see there being a risk of -ve outcomes re #3 I fixed a multimillion screwup at British telecom Neither I or the Company accountant got even a thank you. #5 Cemetery's are full of indispensable people
  - navd 11y ago
    Well I'm at a relatively small company ~40 employees. I interact daily with the CEO - which helps a lot. And it can be risky but the worst you can get is a NO. Which I've gotten. But who cares. All I've got to say if the company you work at doesn't appreciate you I'd look somewhere else. Somewhere where devs are actually appreciated. If in a corporate type job, everything I've said is irrelevant. But who wants to work in corporate America anyways?
    - mildbow 11y ago
      I'm all for doing what you can to up your pay because, at the end of the day, that's the only concrete way a company can show that it values you. However, quaterly seems a bit extreme to the point of being nagging/needy. Consider how your relationship with someone changes if they kept asking the same question. I would think at some point you would become the "ugh, he's asking for a raise again" guy. So the worst case isn't a NO. The worst case is you get filed as "that guy". Maybe space it out while asking for bigger ones? How many times have you asked for a raise with this schedule?
webdevsblow 11y ago
Uhhm, I know how to follow the other sheeple devs, for example yesterday I was all over angular, today I am so onto react, tomorrow I will follow whatever the interwebz tell me - so I can haz raise please? Signed, Webtard.io
dpweb 11y ago
I would leave out the 'industry averages' argument - my reaction as a manager is 'so what' - if I think you suck and you can make more somewhere else, go ahead. Your mindset as the employee is, I'm bringing more value than my comp is worth. The employer mindset is, if I don't give this raise, will they walk and do I care. That's why sales guys have the top salaries - its easy to quantify - they bring in - make ALOT of $, or they don't and are out of a job. With Devs its harder, so you make your case. Another thing, managers higher up who make the decisions don't necessarily know who is good and who isn't. Especially introvert devs who are the farthest thing from self-promoters. Your interactions with your boss, annual reviews, kudos, etc.. should give you some idea how well you are liked. Well liked people get raises because losing them hurts. I wouldn't be too timid then - and ask directly. Not this "can we please discuss further". Rather, "I would like a 5% percent raise. Here is why I deserve it." Could be job accomplishments. Could be speaking, helping marketing, extra-curriculars.. Any chance to quantify with numbers is good. You'll get it, or not - or get part of it. It's just business and you are likely much more emotional about it then your employer, who deals with this thing all the time.
- johnpolacek 11y ago
  The social aspect is definitely important. Being someone who can work well with others is essential. Being able to communicate complex tech things to non-tech people is very valuable for career advancement. If this is a skill you lack, work on developing it. If your manager thinks you suck, then yeah, you will not be getting a raise. In fact, they may be looking for a way to push you out. However, if they do think you are good, then understanding where you are pay-wise relative to the industry can be a good argument to make.
  - dpweb 11y ago
    You knowing may be somewhat helpful so you know what you may ask for if you walk, but my concern raising it in the ask to your employer - makes you look a little worse, not better. First of all, you're not bestowing any wisdom to your employer. They know what the average salaries are. In fact, they are in a much superior information position than you as an employee, in every way, and they know it. Can't do much about that. My concern about that tactic is - it's obviously a negotiation ploy - it's not based on how much value I am bringing, it's based on a number I was able to find that supposedly supports my position. It doesn't mean anything to the business leader trying to make a profit.
jasode 11y ago
I disagree with the letter's approach even though the author says it works based on his experience. The best template for getting a raise is something like this: To Boss/CEO, I will be resigning my position at the company to take advantage of a new opportunity. Regards, After that email is sent, you'll then know if the managers will woo you with a salary increase to keep you, or laugh and tell you not to let the door hit your ass on the way out. If you're a superstar, you can leave and make more money. The superstar programmers at DEC left and jumped shipped to Google Inc. The superstar engineers at Lockheed & Boeing got lucrative offers from SpaceX. You'll also get bigger raises than a measly 5% raise. More like 20% to 100% Now, if you're not at all interested in actually switching jobs, your options for leverage are severely handicapped. Even in that case, I recommend a different approach than the author's suggested text: If you can't leave the job, you have to explain your value in concrete terms and why it's not being properly compensated. Option 1: An example of leveling up the salary to your actual duties that management has overlooked: "Since the end 2014, I've been tasked to manage the Linux server reliability team in addition to delivering new web apps functionality..." You then ask to talk about market rate compensation for management work. Option 2: An example of leveling up to new tasks and asking for the increased compensation to go with it: "I've been doing web app here for 2 years but I've noticed many inefficiencies with the Linux reliability team. I feel I'm the right person to take additional responsibility and make the team effective but I'd like to talk about compensation..." -- Basically you're being proactive about fast-tracking a promotion to a more valuable role within the company. The 3rd option outlined by the author is the worst situation to be in: Doing what exactly you've been doing while simultaneously asking for a ~5% raise to "match market surveys" is a position of weakness. The boss responds, "ok, thanks for bringing your concerns to our attention, we'll get back to you" ... and then they don't bother giving you a raise. You'll be secretly branded as a fool if you don't resign. Lastly, some stylistic choices on author's wordcrafting I disagree with: "I have no desire to work anywhere else, but lately I have been getting lots of recruiters and people I know at other companies reaching out to me to see if I'd be interested in making a move. I tell them I am not interested of course, " This text is an example of "trying too hard". You don't need to write any of that "social proof" stuff at all. If your managers are intelligent, they will infer this without you explicitly mentioning it. It's like you ask a girl out on a date by prefacing, "I've been approached by lots of girls and I've been fighting them off but I really like you so will you go to the prom with me?" And this: "Now that I have been married for a couple years, I am starting to make plans for a family, " Do not put personal reasons into business correspondence. It looks weak. Yes, you have a family, or a mother with cancer treatments, or a daughter that needs a college education fund. The problem is that _everyone_ has personal goals that require employment salary so mentioning it just triggers a "yeah so what?" reaction. I suggest for folks to watch[1] the Jack Lemmon & Kevin Spacey's "But my daughter" / "Fuck you" scene 100 times to rid themselves of the idea to put personal touches into business discussions about raises. [1] https://youtu.be/55wIwwmrHxk?t=3m54s https://youtu.be/55wIwwmrHxk?t=3m54s
mildbow 11y ago
5%? Guys, I hope you are asking for/getting more than that. The foolproof way to get a raise is to have another offer. Don't say: I have recruiters contacting me (everyone does). Just get a concrete offer. Then say you have an offer but really like it there, would they please meet it? If they don't, they don't value you GTFO. If they do, you get your raise. Win Win. That's how I went from 80k to 180k over 5[0] years. [0] Edited from 4 to 5 coz time flies :)
- TylerE 11y ago
  Also a great way to be the first one let go after a bad quarter.
  - mildbow 11y ago
    My personal experience has been different. I feel like that's just the risk averse part of you speaking. If you value a dev, would you really let him go over a bad quarter for ~20-40k vs another one who isn't "as good"? I don't think so. Of course, all bets are off if you are viewed as fungible. In that case your problem of asking/getting raises isn't the problem, it's a symptom.
- thedz 11y ago
  I've tried that approach a few times in the past. Invariable, I end really liking the company I talked to to get another offer, and just end up taking it!
  - mildbow 11y ago
    Haha. Yeah, often times it does feel like the grass is greener on the other side. Which is why having an actual offer is great to bolster your asking number and your commitment to your current employer. Either way, it's win win :)
szmartas 11y ago
IMHO: These types of things are not successfully dealt with via email. If you are in search of an email template, you are on the wrong path. Your raise or lack thereof will be determined by one or two people. (a person will make the decision and perhaps their superior will need to approve it). If you don't know who the person is, your first task is to find out. Let's assume you know who the person is. If two people have a healthy relationship and there is an important issue to discuss, the issue will be raised and discussed in person. If you don't have a healthy relationship with the person who will make the decision, fix it. IMNSHO: If you are not willing to do the above, by far the most effective email template to ask for a raise will be: "Dear X, I am writing to apply for the web developer position at company Y (...)"
- johnpolacek 11y ago
  As stated in the intro, the email is meant to be the start of a conversation. Of course you can discuss it in person instead. For many people, it can be intimidating and stressful to ask for a raise. Sending an email allows you choose your words wisely and take some of the pressure off. Better to send an email than to keep waiting for what feels like the right time. Some have suggested the tactic of threatening to leave as your negotiation tactic. I would recommend against that if you like working where you are, as it could backfire. You could even get that raise, but then later be let go. If you don't really like where you are working at all that much, then go for it (but maybe don't lead with that tactic as it can burn bridges).
markbnj 11y ago
Am I the only one who feels this discussion should be in person, not via an email? And most especially not via an email derived from some template?
- johnpolacek 11y ago
  Maybe template is the wrong word. It is meant to be a loose outline of what you could say. A starting point with some advice. Every situation is unique. Also, this email should function as the invitation to have a discussion. Finding the right time and way to ask for a raise can be difficult and stressful. Using an email to start things up can take the pressure off.
pimlottc 11y ago
You're in luck, OP, someone just posted a raise template for webdevs to HN. Oh, you meant a "I Would Like to Get a Raise" template for webdevs...
cluok 11y ago
Why would you degrade yourself by begging for a pay rise and using your wife / marriage / family plans as a way to show your vulnerability? Begging and using your family situation for anything is beta. You need to step up and use your power to get more money. If you're not paid enough; LEAVE! Grow a backbone. Real career progression doesn't happen off the back of begging. I certainly won't take you seriously for any position of power if you try and beg your way there. I don't care about your family plans, I care about the value you bring to me. Be valuable, be alpha, be worth what you're asking for or fuck right off. Down vote and censor my language all you want; you don't win by being a whining ass bitch.
- juliangregorian 11y ago
  Great advice here, need more money? Just "use your power". Thanks bro. Would love to know how much "power" you actually wield. I suspect not much.
  - cluok 11y ago
    Firstly, I'm fairly senior in a large consultancy; make of that what you will. Secondly; I mean the power and influence that you have in your company, if you have no influence in your company, then at least you have some power in your market. Your employer is not the only one in your city and moving usually gives you a pay bump. Just don't go fucking begging, you're a professional and you're worth money.... bro.....
    - juliangregorian 11y ago
      > fairly senior in a large consultancy Which could easily mean "frustrated and impotent mid-level at a soul-draining mega-conglomerate dinosaur", which would certainly shed some light on your posturing behavior. But to the point, I don't see anyone advocating whinging or begging, that interpretation was tacked on by you and your alpha-beta nonsense. Bro.
      - cluok 11y ago
imaginenore 11y ago
DO NOT do this over email. Just talk to your manager. Tell them you want a raise and the reasons why. If they refuse, start looking for a new job.
johnpolacek 11y ago
I removed the bit from the example where it mentions family. I think in some cases it is good to talk about the reasons why it is important to you to get a raise outside of just the money. It seemed to bother people and I think it is an optional thing anyway. Certainly not necessary in an email opener.

66 points by johnpolacek 11y ago

Write articles. Give talks. Share your knowledge and help others be better. Those things are great but they won't get you a raise. They'll only really help if you want a better paid job at a different company. To get a raise you need to demonstrate to your employer that you're undervalued - do really good work[1], bring in new clients, teach things to other members of your team. Raises happen internally, external things won't really help. [1] Note that this does not mean going over and above the specification of a project. That's a bad thing as far as the business is concerned because chargeable work should never be done for free. If you want a raise try suggesting things to the client that they will pay for - bringing more money in to the business always makes you look great.

hayksaakian 11y ago
> They'll only really help if you want a better paid job at a different company. Show the offers to your current employer and ask for a raise?
johnpolacek 11y ago
In my own experience, having popular open source projects, giving talks, and writing articles contributed to the overall picture of my value as an employee and helped me advance my salary. This obviously can vary depending on where you work. Doing those things also were great learning experiences, and made me better at my job. It certainly helped me feel confident that I was worth a raise, and comfortable in that if I did not get paid competitively, there would be other opportunities. Also you mention bringing in more business. Depending on your company, doing those things can bring in more business.

amelius 11y ago

If everybody starts asking for a raise, the average salary will go up, and we can start all over :) By the way, I'm wondering how one would determine the average salary for one's job in a reliable way (your boss could contend that those numbers are fake to some extent). Wouldn't it be advantageous to employees if salaries were just out in the open within a company/department? It seems to me that employers benefit most from the current situation where salaries are private.

walshemj 11y ago
Ask him to share those secretive surveys that hr get with all the staff

noswi 11y ago

It was very hard to read a text this bright on a white background.

johnpolacek 11y ago
Made it darker and increased the font size slightly. Hope that helps. :)
- Encosia 11y ago
  Still pretty tough to read here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/036jxac9dm9l7rw/hard-to-read.PNG?dl=0 https://www.dropbox.com/s/036jxac9dm9l7rw/hard-to-read.PNG?d...
  - jlees 11y ago
    At a guess, you're using Windows and the author is using Mac? [1] (I'm also using Windows -- it's my gaming PC, don't judge! -- and having an equally difficult time.) [1] http://damieng.com/blog/2007/06/13/font-rendering-philosophies-of-windows-and-mac-os-x http://damieng.com/blog/2007/06/13/font-rendering-philosophi...
    - Encosia 11y ago
      > don't judge! Definitely don't let anyone ever judge you for that. The vast majority of desktop/laptop users are on Windows, including a slightly-less-vast majority of developers.
      - couchand 11y ago
        Being in the majority is not really a laudable trait...
        Encosia 11y ago
        Seems like there's a lot of middle ground between "laudable" and "don't judge", yes?

navd 11y ago

Lately I've been experimenting with asking for raises quarterly and so far it's worked out great. My tips for people: 1) obviously know who is in charge of how much you make. Like actually get to know them. 2) find a way to stand out amongst your peers. For me it was a dedication to learning new tools that have benefited us and actually being good at my job. 3) go out of your way to get shit done and do stuff right. 4) ASK for a raise from the person in charge of your $$$ directly. Don't waste anyone's time and don't wait on the sidelines hoping people will take notice of your efforts. If you don't ask to get paid more it won't happen. 5) be so good that if your company looses you it's really going to hurt.

walshemj 11y ago
Quarterly that's very pushy - how's that working out I could see there being a risk of -ve outcomes re #3 I fixed a multimillion screwup at British telecom Neither I or the Company accountant got even a thank you. #5 Cemetery's are full of indispensable people
- navd 11y ago
  Well I'm at a relatively small company ~40 employees. I interact daily with the CEO - which helps a lot. And it can be risky but the worst you can get is a NO. Which I've gotten. But who cares. All I've got to say if the company you work at doesn't appreciate you I'd look somewhere else. Somewhere where devs are actually appreciated. If in a corporate type job, everything I've said is irrelevant. But who wants to work in corporate America anyways?
  - mildbow 11y ago
    I'm all for doing what you can to up your pay because, at the end of the day, that's the only concrete way a company can show that it values you. However, quaterly seems a bit extreme to the point of being nagging/needy. Consider how your relationship with someone changes if they kept asking the same question. I would think at some point you would become the "ugh, he's asking for a raise again" guy. So the worst case isn't a NO. The worst case is you get filed as "that guy". Maybe space it out while asking for bigger ones? How many times have you asked for a raise with this schedule?

webdevsblow 11y ago

Uhhm, I know how to follow the other sheeple devs, for example yesterday I was all over angular, today I am so onto react, tomorrow I will follow whatever the interwebz tell me - so I can haz raise please? Signed, Webtard.io

dpweb 11y ago

I would leave out the 'industry averages' argument - my reaction as a manager is 'so what' - if I think you suck and you can make more somewhere else, go ahead. Your mindset as the employee is, I'm bringing more value than my comp is worth. The employer mindset is, if I don't give this raise, will they walk and do I care. That's why sales guys have the top salaries - its easy to quantify - they bring in - make ALOT of $, or they don't and are out of a job. With Devs its harder, so you make your case. Another thing, managers higher up who make the decisions don't necessarily know who is good and who isn't. Especially introvert devs who are the farthest thing from self-promoters. Your interactions with your boss, annual reviews, kudos, etc.. should give you some idea how well you are liked. Well liked people get raises because losing them hurts. I wouldn't be too timid then - and ask directly. Not this "can we please discuss further". Rather, "I would like a 5% percent raise. Here is why I deserve it." Could be job accomplishments. Could be speaking, helping marketing, extra-curriculars.. Any chance to quantify with numbers is good. You'll get it, or not - or get part of it. It's just business and you are likely much more emotional about it then your employer, who deals with this thing all the time.

johnpolacek 11y ago
The social aspect is definitely important. Being someone who can work well with others is essential. Being able to communicate complex tech things to non-tech people is very valuable for career advancement. If this is a skill you lack, work on developing it. If your manager thinks you suck, then yeah, you will not be getting a raise. In fact, they may be looking for a way to push you out. However, if they do think you are good, then understanding where you are pay-wise relative to the industry can be a good argument to make.
- dpweb 11y ago
  You knowing may be somewhat helpful so you know what you may ask for if you walk, but my concern raising it in the ask to your employer - makes you look a little worse, not better. First of all, you're not bestowing any wisdom to your employer. They know what the average salaries are. In fact, they are in a much superior information position than you as an employee, in every way, and they know it. Can't do much about that. My concern about that tactic is - it's obviously a negotiation ploy - it's not based on how much value I am bringing, it's based on a number I was able to find that supposedly supports my position. It doesn't mean anything to the business leader trying to make a profit.

jasode 11y ago

I disagree with the letter's approach even though the author says it works based on his experience. The best template for getting a raise is something like this: To Boss/CEO, I will be resigning my position at the company to take advantage of a new opportunity. Regards, After that email is sent, you'll then know if the managers will woo you with a salary increase to keep you, or laugh and tell you not to let the door hit your ass on the way out. If you're a superstar, you can leave and make more money. The superstar programmers at DEC left and jumped shipped to Google Inc. The superstar engineers at Lockheed & Boeing got lucrative offers from SpaceX. You'll also get bigger raises than a measly 5% raise. More like 20% to 100% Now, if you're not at all interested in actually switching jobs, your options for leverage are severely handicapped. Even in that case, I recommend a different approach than the author's suggested text: If you can't leave the job, you have to explain your value in concrete terms and why it's not being properly compensated. Option 1: An example of leveling up the salary to your actual duties that management has overlooked: "Since the end 2014, I've been tasked to manage the Linux server reliability team in addition to delivering new web apps functionality..." You then ask to talk about market rate compensation for management work. Option 2: An example of leveling up to new tasks and asking for the increased compensation to go with it: "I've been doing web app here for 2 years but I've noticed many inefficiencies with the Linux reliability team. I feel I'm the right person to take additional responsibility and make the team effective but I'd like to talk about compensation..." -- Basically you're being proactive about fast-tracking a promotion to a more valuable role within the company. The 3rd option outlined by the author is the worst situation to be in: Doing what exactly you've been doing while simultaneously asking for a ~5% raise to "match market surveys" is a position of weakness. The boss responds, "ok, thanks for bringing your concerns to our attention, we'll get back to you" ... and then they don't bother giving you a raise. You'll be secretly branded as a fool if you don't resign. Lastly, some stylistic choices on author's wordcrafting I disagree with: "I have no desire to work anywhere else, but lately I have been getting lots of recruiters and people I know at other companies reaching out to me to see if I'd be interested in making a move. I tell them I am not interested of course, " This text is an example of "trying too hard". You don't need to write any of that "social proof" stuff at all. If your managers are intelligent, they will infer this without you explicitly mentioning it. It's like you ask a girl out on a date by prefacing, "I've been approached by lots of girls and I've been fighting them off but I really like you so will you go to the prom with me?" And this: "Now that I have been married for a couple years, I am starting to make plans for a family, " Do not put personal reasons into business correspondence. It looks weak. Yes, you have a family, or a mother with cancer treatments, or a daughter that needs a college education fund. The problem is that _everyone_ has personal goals that require employment salary so mentioning it just triggers a "yeah so what?" reaction. I suggest for folks to watch[1] the Jack Lemmon & Kevin Spacey's "But my daughter" / "Fuck you" scene 100 times to rid themselves of the idea to put personal touches into business discussions about raises. [1] https://youtu.be/55wIwwmrHxk?t=3m54s https://youtu.be/55wIwwmrHxk?t=3m54s

mildbow 11y ago

5%? Guys, I hope you are asking for/getting more than that. The foolproof way to get a raise is to have another offer. Don't say: I have recruiters contacting me (everyone does). Just get a concrete offer. Then say you have an offer but really like it there, would they please meet it? If they don't, they don't value you GTFO. If they do, you get your raise. Win Win. That's how I went from 80k to 180k over 5[0] years. [0] Edited from 4 to 5 coz time flies :)

TylerE 11y ago
Also a great way to be the first one let go after a bad quarter.
- mildbow 11y ago
  My personal experience has been different. I feel like that's just the risk averse part of you speaking. If you value a dev, would you really let him go over a bad quarter for ~20-40k vs another one who isn't "as good"? I don't think so. Of course, all bets are off if you are viewed as fungible. In that case your problem of asking/getting raises isn't the problem, it's a symptom.
thedz 11y ago
I've tried that approach a few times in the past. Invariable, I end really liking the company I talked to to get another offer, and just end up taking it!
- mildbow 11y ago
  Haha. Yeah, often times it does feel like the grass is greener on the other side. Which is why having an actual offer is great to bolster your asking number and your commitment to your current employer. Either way, it's win win :)

szmartas 11y ago

IMHO: These types of things are not successfully dealt with via email. If you are in search of an email template, you are on the wrong path. Your raise or lack thereof will be determined by one or two people. (a person will make the decision and perhaps their superior will need to approve it). If you don't know who the person is, your first task is to find out. Let's assume you know who the person is. If two people have a healthy relationship and there is an important issue to discuss, the issue will be raised and discussed in person. If you don't have a healthy relationship with the person who will make the decision, fix it. IMNSHO: If you are not willing to do the above, by far the most effective email template to ask for a raise will be: "Dear X, I am writing to apply for the web developer position at company Y (...)"

johnpolacek 11y ago
As stated in the intro, the email is meant to be the start of a conversation. Of course you can discuss it in person instead. For many people, it can be intimidating and stressful to ask for a raise. Sending an email allows you choose your words wisely and take some of the pressure off. Better to send an email than to keep waiting for what feels like the right time. Some have suggested the tactic of threatening to leave as your negotiation tactic. I would recommend against that if you like working where you are, as it could backfire. You could even get that raise, but then later be let go. If you don't really like where you are working at all that much, then go for it (but maybe don't lead with that tactic as it can burn bridges).

markbnj 11y ago

Am I the only one who feels this discussion should be in person, not via an email? And most especially not via an email derived from some template?

johnpolacek 11y ago
Maybe template is the wrong word. It is meant to be a loose outline of what you could say. A starting point with some advice. Every situation is unique. Also, this email should function as the invitation to have a discussion. Finding the right time and way to ask for a raise can be difficult and stressful. Using an email to start things up can take the pressure off.

pimlottc 11y ago

You're in luck, OP, someone just posted a raise template for webdevs to HN. Oh, you meant a "I Would Like to Get a Raise" template for webdevs...

cluok 11y ago

Why would you degrade yourself by begging for a pay rise and using your wife / marriage / family plans as a way to show your vulnerability? Begging and using your family situation for anything is beta. You need to step up and use your power to get more money. If you're not paid enough; LEAVE! Grow a backbone. Real career progression doesn't happen off the back of begging. I certainly won't take you seriously for any position of power if you try and beg your way there. I don't care about your family plans, I care about the value you bring to me. Be valuable, be alpha, be worth what you're asking for or fuck right off. Down vote and censor my language all you want; you don't win by being a whining ass bitch.

juliangregorian 11y ago
Great advice here, need more money? Just "use your power". Thanks bro. Would love to know how much "power" you actually wield. I suspect not much.
- cluok 11y ago
  Firstly, I'm fairly senior in a large consultancy; make of that what you will. Secondly; I mean the power and influence that you have in your company, if you have no influence in your company, then at least you have some power in your market. Your employer is not the only one in your city and moving usually gives you a pay bump. Just don't go fucking begging, you're a professional and you're worth money.... bro.....
  - juliangregorian 11y ago
    > fairly senior in a large consultancy Which could easily mean "frustrated and impotent mid-level at a soul-draining mega-conglomerate dinosaur", which would certainly shed some light on your posturing behavior. But to the point, I don't see anyone advocating whinging or begging, that interpretation was tacked on by you and your alpha-beta nonsense. Bro.
    - cluok 11y ago

imaginenore 11y ago

DO NOT do this over email. Just talk to your manager. Tell them you want a raise and the reasons why. If they refuse, start looking for a new job.

johnpolacek 11y ago

I removed the bit from the example where it mentions family. I think in some cases it is good to talk about the reasons why it is important to you to get a raise outside of just the money. It seemed to bother people and I think it is an optional thing anyway. Certainly not necessary in an email opener.