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| How do I ... get paid more? | How do I ... get paid more? |
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| It emerged this week that stockbrokers, chief executives and marketing directors are the highest-paid people in the UK, according to the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings from the Office for National Statistics. | It emerged this week that stockbrokers, chief executives and marketing directors are the highest-paid people in the UK, according to the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings from the Office for National Statistics. |
| If you’re not one of them, do not despair. There are several options out there for people who feel they are undervalued, or are just not earning enough to make ends meet. Of course, the jobs market is tight and not all these steps are easy. But they are worth bearing in mind. | If you’re not one of them, do not despair. There are several options out there for people who feel they are undervalued, or are just not earning enough to make ends meet. Of course, the jobs market is tight and not all these steps are easy. But they are worth bearing in mind. |
| Choose the right job | Choose the right job |
| Simon North, co-founder of the UK career consultancy firm Position Ignition, says: “If you look at the people that are in high-paid positions, there are some themes. It’s the mission-critical jobs that are never going to go away.” | Simon North, co-founder of the UK career consultancy firm Position Ignition, says: “If you look at the people that are in high-paid positions, there are some themes. It’s the mission-critical jobs that are never going to go away.” |
| These jobs include old professions such as law and medicine, while there is also demand for pilots as we travel around the world more and more. North says it’s about “being in a position where there’s demand for that occupancy and skill”. | These jobs include old professions such as law and medicine, while there is also demand for pilots as we travel around the world more and more. North says it’s about “being in a position where there’s demand for that occupancy and skill”. |
| Since the financial crisis, there has been a big increase in the number of people working on flexible terms, such as zero-hours contracts. “For many people in the economy it’s a real struggle to see progression in their career and in their pay,” North adds. “It’s changed a lot – it’s a flexible labour economy. When it comes to progression of pay, it’s not very helpful.” | Since the financial crisis, there has been a big increase in the number of people working on flexible terms, such as zero-hours contracts. “For many people in the economy it’s a real struggle to see progression in their career and in their pay,” North adds. “It’s changed a lot – it’s a flexible labour economy. When it comes to progression of pay, it’s not very helpful.” |
| Working for a technology startup in Shoreditch, east London, may not get you a permanent position, but it could pay off in other ways – by giving you specialist expertise, and potentially stock options in the business. | Working for a technology startup in Shoreditch, east London, may not get you a permanent position, but it could pay off in other ways – by giving you specialist expertise, and potentially stock options in the business. |
| Change job | Change job |
| You tend to get a bigger pay rise if you are prepared to quit and find a new job. To keep moving up the pay ladder, you need to change organisations regularly, experts say. | You tend to get a bigger pay rise if you are prepared to quit and find a new job. To keep moving up the pay ladder, you need to change organisations regularly, experts say. |
| Going one step further, you could consider changing career but it could take a while to work your way up. For anyone aspiring to a medical career, be aware that junior doctors’ salaries are low relative to the hours they work. Dr Adam Friedmann, consultant dermatologist at the Harley Street dermatology clinic, says he started on about £1.98 an hour. | Going one step further, you could consider changing career but it could take a while to work your way up. For anyone aspiring to a medical career, be aware that junior doctors’ salaries are low relative to the hours they work. Dr Adam Friedmann, consultant dermatologist at the Harley Street dermatology clinic, says he started on about £1.98 an hour. |
| However, after years of training they can end up earning an average salary before tax of more than £80,000. | However, after years of training they can end up earning an average salary before tax of more than £80,000. |
| Attitude | Attitude |
| Brian Tracy, a Canadian career coach and author of a book called Earn What You’re Really Worth, advises working in a high-growth industry – for example as a software developer or an estate agent – where you get paid more and get promoted faster in a couple of years than you might in five or 10 years in a slow-growth industry. | Brian Tracy, a Canadian career coach and author of a book called Earn What You’re Really Worth, advises working in a high-growth industry – for example as a software developer or an estate agent – where you get paid more and get promoted faster in a couple of years than you might in five or 10 years in a slow-growth industry. |
| His other advice includes: show a positive attitude and create a positive image (dress for success) ; start earlier; work harder; and stay later. “Research shows that a positive, cheerful person is more likely to be paid more and promoted faster,” he said. | His other advice includes: show a positive attitude and create a positive image (dress for success) ; start earlier; work harder; and stay later. “Research shows that a positive, cheerful person is more likely to be paid more and promoted faster,” he said. |
| Tracy notes that the top 10% of earners in the US work 50 to 60 hours a week. And they work all the time they are at work – no time wasting. | Tracy notes that the top 10% of earners in the US work 50 to 60 hours a week. And they work all the time they are at work – no time wasting. |
| Negotiate hard | Negotiate hard |
| Don’t expect an organisation to throw money at you – it’s a fallacy to assume that good work will automatically be rewarded. But don’t ask for a pay rise naively and box yourself into a position where you think you are going to have to resign, experts advise. | Don’t expect an organisation to throw money at you – it’s a fallacy to assume that good work will automatically be rewarded. But don’t ask for a pay rise naively and box yourself into a position where you think you are going to have to resign, experts advise. |
| Some say you need to lay the groundwork months in advance, by making yourself stand out. And when you finally ask for a raise, you need to make a proper business case: using objective measures demonstrate how your work has benefited the organisation – rather than complaining and using negative language. | Some say you need to lay the groundwork months in advance, by making yourself stand out. And when you finally ask for a raise, you need to make a proper business case: using objective measures demonstrate how your work has benefited the organisation – rather than complaining and using negative language. |
| Related: I need a new job fast. What can I do? | Related: I need a new job fast. What can I do? |
| “The way you ask is by building a case, as a lawyer would build a case,” says Tracy. “Instead of saying that you need more money, as most people do, you have a different strategy. You put together a list of the jobs that you are now doing and the additional experience and skills you have developed. Show the financial impact of your work on the overall operations of the company and the contribution that you are making as a top employee.” | “The way you ask is by building a case, as a lawyer would build a case,” says Tracy. “Instead of saying that you need more money, as most people do, you have a different strategy. You put together a list of the jobs that you are now doing and the additional experience and skills you have developed. Show the financial impact of your work on the overall operations of the company and the contribution that you are making as a top employee.” |
| It’s important to negotiate hard when it comes to your starting salary, as any subsequent pay rises are likely to be incremental. If you’re after a lot more money, you may need to change jobs – see above. | It’s important to negotiate hard when it comes to your starting salary, as any subsequent pay rises are likely to be incremental. If you’re after a lot more money, you may need to change jobs – see above. |
| Get more training | Get more training |
| Many companies have reduced their training budgets but it’s always worth asking if your employer will fund a course – again, make a business case for it. Always be clear about your goals and don’t lose focus, especially if you decide to get training in your own time and at your own cost. | Many companies have reduced their training budgets but it’s always worth asking if your employer will fund a course – again, make a business case for it. Always be clear about your goals and don’t lose focus, especially if you decide to get training in your own time and at your own cost. |
| Take on more | Take on more |
| If you can manage the extra workload, volunteering to help out when a colleague goes on parental leave or is signed off sick for a long period of time can get you a pay rise. Many companies will be glad to save time and money on advertising the job. | If you can manage the extra workload, volunteering to help out when a colleague goes on parental leave or is signed off sick for a long period of time can get you a pay rise. Many companies will be glad to save time and money on advertising the job. |
| Volunteer for every assignment, says Tracy, and “push to the front”. | Volunteer for every assignment, says Tracy, and “push to the front”. |
| Career consultants stress the importance of learning constantly and staying on your toes. North says: “Most people cruise when it comes to their job, hoping against hope that everything’s going to be fine – and suddenly you find yourself without a job. The smart professional needs to be really tuned in.” | Career consultants stress the importance of learning constantly and staying on your toes. North says: “Most people cruise when it comes to their job, hoping against hope that everything’s going to be fine – and suddenly you find yourself without a job. The smart professional needs to be really tuned in.” |
| Got any other good tips for maximising the value of your labour? Leave them in the comments below. |