Current Events > Got a promotion with a raise today, didn't counter and now feel like shit

(+) Yeah! (+)

I like my job, I like my boss. I applied to a vacancy doing similar work in a different area with increased complexity.
Today I got the call that I got it! Comes with a $15k raise and I'm fairly certain brings me to comparable levels as my (new) peers. It's just, I just said ok to her on the phone and now she's sending the offer letter, all I can think is "I should've put in a counter."

Anyone else face this?

I got a $2 raise, check your privilege. Also, can't you still counter?

C_Pain posted...

I got a $2 raise, check your privilege

Fair enough. Consider it checked.

C_Pain posted...

Also, can't you still counter?

I guess so, but it feels like she was making the phone call before the offer letter came through as a gesture of good will and now it feels bad to go back.

Pick and choose your battles. If this is a place you don't plan on bailing on in the near future, it's probably better to build a good repertoire with your new boss and then approach them about a raise in a year or two if and when your job performance exceeds your peers.

It's sort of like a less dramatic version of threatening to quit. That will work once, but probably never again. Rather than lament missing your opportunity to counter offer here, consider this an opportunity to consciously build towards the future promotion or pay raise where you know your offer will be more seriously considered.

Thanks, that does make me feel a lot better.
This is the kind of company where you get a 3-5% yearly and the only real jumps are by going to a different position, I'm likely able to get another raise in a couple years just by virtue of the way we're setup.

C_Pain posted...

I got a $2 raise, check your privilege. Also, can't you still counter?

I haven't gotten one

Hinakuluiau posted...

Thanks, that does make me feel a lot better.
This is the kind of company where you get a 3-5% yearly and the only real jumps are by going to a different position, I'm likely able to get another raise in a couple years just by virtue of the way we're setup.

So then your goal for the next couple of years should be to outperform the people at your level and then approach them during your next raise cycle, ideally with pay scale information about people in your position at other companies, and make the case that your performance demonstrates that you are working above average and that you would like to include a cost of living adjustment along with your raise to account for the fact that you are making less than other people at your level, with your experience, would be making elsewhere.