Industry: Financial Services (United States)

I think asking for a raise is always a risk; I believe some performance based requests make it easier. After a few months in a new group I had taken on several new responsibilities and had managed to stay clear of conflicts in the group. I asked for a raise and got more then I thought I would get. My boss, then, gave me a 25% raise. I almost passed out.

Now I work for the same Company with a different boss, which was of no choice of my own, and have taken on way more responsibility and requested a raise with no result.

I work for a 24x7 outsource center for Financial Institutions. I have very little work life balance. I have to work most weekends and put in 10+ Hour Days. I have to take vacation time to even get a weekend off. It's hard on me and my family. I am a mom of 2 school age children. I'm losing my mind or maybe I have already lost it. I fear that if I stay the course that I will have a heart attack or a nervous break down. My employer only cares about the bottom line. They don't foster a work life balance. Before taking a job in IT make sure it is not for a company that operates 24x7. Because in the end it will be your life on the line.

I am with a bank that was bought by a much larger institution and have not recieved any pay increase to a competitive salary.

When I first took over the Collection Manager position it was the first time this privately held company had ever hired a professional Collection Manager. Since I had been out of the industry for 4 years, I didn't mind taking a "lower" salary to start with, with full intentions of working my way up.

As a women in a "man's world" you have to be careful to come accross as knowledgable but not bossy or "pushy". During the review cycle I would hand in a "Department Report" listing all of the positive accomplishments in my department over the past year (I keep records during the year of major accomplishments or challenges and how they were handled). I then run a variety of "salary comparisons" off of the internet and attach them to my report.

During the review I simply remind the owner, that I trust his judgment, he has the statistics of what the industry is paying, and he has always treated me fairly in the past and I see no reason to assume that this year will be any different.

I have not been disappointed. Each year he has surprised me with above average salary increases and bonuses. 8 years later and I am in the 95% pay bracket for my position and location. The biggest thing is knowing your boss -- mine loves numbers -- the more I give him the better he likes it.

Wait until after the position is offered. This allows you to have some control.

I'm working 50 - 55 hours a week - it never ends. Its been like this year after year. Yea they give you a 3% salary increase and a 3% bonus but I'm a stranger to my kids. The money is OK but I'd rather have a normal 40 hour work week and a manager who can make decisions. My manager is known as "no decision is a good decision". Never ask him for his opinion because he doesn't want to be held accountable for a decison that could come back to haunt him. I'm also on call 24/7 in case something goes wrong. My wife told me to tell them to "stuff it" because I'm not a doctor.

If you are a top performer, you just need to ask for a raise or promotion. Managers are not mind-readers and always follow the old adage ... "if you don't ask, you don't get!". Even if you ask and don't get it, at least the manager knows that you are not happy with status quo and may offer some other incentives to keep you happy.

I would prefer a job in California with 7 year contract somewhere in the Mountain View, Ontario, Victorville (preferred) or Apple Valley (preferred) area. Employer offered job in New York City---nice but do not believe I can handle New York--nice place to visit but not to live.