Should I ask my company for a raise, and quit if they don’t give it?
Sincerely Rocky,
Dear Rocky,
While I will steer clear of giving specific career advice, I will throw out a couple perspectives to consider.
First, NOBODY likes an ultimatum. If you believe you have a case for higher compensation, I would frame the case by highlighting the value you add to the company, the costs you save them, and ask for additional responsibilities to make it worth their while. Depending on the accuracy of your case and how management functions at the company, they may or may not, but whether you spell it out for them, or not, the company will know you feel you’re currently underpaid. In my experience, companies will either look to part ways with you as soon as possible, but there’s a chance they may look for a different role for you where you can make more money in a new position if your skill set allows.
The second option is less popular with most companies.
I’ve a few different jobs over the years, at some I chose to leave, but in hindsight maybe should have stayed longer. At others, I stayed on, but in hindsight, it would have been better for me to have moved on, on my own accord, earlier.
What’s important about the above is that perspectives change with time. The guy I am now is not the same guy who had the luxury of making those decisions. And now my perspectives have changed. This is not unusual as I can think of many friends and associates who have regretted decisions to leave or not leave.
You’re not the Lone Ranger, but everyone walks their own path, like Caine in Kung Fu. We all know the things we wish to consider when changing roles, but the weight changes by where you are on your Kung Fu path.
Age and experience are great things, however if you’ve always wanted to be an iron worker and you’re 60, I’m sorry but it’s too late. If you want to be a professional golfer, unless you have a time machine to go back and start younger, you’re out of luck. Although some (few) have the ability to change careers, but it’s not the norm in today’s world. But it does happen. I know a couple dynamite nurses, who first tried their hand in the business world out of college and found it to be an unappetizing life. They went back to school and found personal fulfillment in the medical industry.
I’ve also known people who were very talented in their field, who decided to get into teaching, coaching, or instructing in somewhat of an encore career. If one is very good at something, showing others how it’s done can be a personally rewarding and lucrative path.
Cash is king, but it’s not the only thing. How long of a commute can you tolerate? Do you like having weekends off? Do you want to grow and learn new things, or would you rather just work for an honest wage and not be hassled? How much do you need to earn vs. how much you want to earn.
Framing that last question properly can save some mental angst.
Consider the state of the economy. I know Wall Street has looked pretty good lately, but under the surface the warning signs are flashing danger. Under those circumstances, are the industries you’re in, or looking to go to “recession proof”?
Ask yourself if you’re feeling unfulfilled in other aspects of your life and it’s just manifesting as negative feelings about your job, just because it’s the thing that dominates most of your time. Maybe the hours, the money, and the work are fine, but you need to add something MORE to your life? It’s not crazy.
I know a guy who learned how to build his own website where he posts unrelated essays he’s written, and sometimes short stories from a feral cat’s perspective for no money at all! I read his stuff, there’s little consistent about it. Although he often struggles with it, he receives positive feedback from his readers. I’ve even heard he’s considering trying on a “Dear Abby” angle from time to time, just for fun. I’m not sure he can pull it off.
I’ve thrown a lot out there, and somehow successfully avoided answering the question at all, but as the great philosopher Jules Winnfield once quipped “If my answers frighten you then you should cease asking scary questions”.
The upside is that you have the luxury of considering all those questions and others as well. Many people don’t have these choices. They need to make a buck and make it now. So, they have to forgo some, most, or all of the above and trudge on through drudgery until they die.
My advice is to wrestle through all the above like the Macho Man and then choose a path that leads to a more enjoyable journey
Shep