My Salary Is Not Enough, What Can I Do?

Is your salary not enough? Here is what you can do

By Selipha Kihagi

The first thing most job seekers consider when looking for positions to apply for is an appealing salary. A free opportunity does not seem like a good fit, especially for fresh graduates with a drive to get into the job market and start earning money. But unfortunately for most, what you want is never what you actually get and most people end up in positions that pay much less that they expected. The regret of this decision comes much later.

Then there is those looking to change jobs with the hope of finding a new role in an organization that pays more than they are currently earning. Whichever category you belong to, it is no doubt that salary is a big concern for most people during the job hunt process and even after getting hired. That is partly why you will find that a great number of employees in Kenya are not happy. They want a better salary than they are already earning and the most unfortunate part of this; they are not sure how to actually get it.

In this post we are going to share with you 3 steps you can follow to get your boss or potential employer to pay you what you are worth. The tips will also help you to negotiate a better salary in your next job so you don’t have to complain about your salary not being enough.

Your 3-Steps Guide To Help You Get A Better Salary

1. Make sure employers See you as an asset

Applying to positions and getting hired today is no longer about being qualified for the role. It is more about having something unique that other people in your area of study do not have and making employers recognize this as a valuable asset. When you are qualified like any other person in your field, employers know they can easily replace you instead of choosing to increase your salary.

To ensure this does not happen, find a skill that your employer needs that others in your department cannot offer and learn it. This way, you will be in a position to negotiate a better salary and whenever there is a layoff, your employer will have a reason to retain you.

2. Research extensively and know your value

If you feel the salary your employer is paying you is not enough, then you need to have facts supporting that theory. It is not enough to say you are not getting paid enough and even when you walk to your bosses office with this claim, you will need to explain what you are basing that on. Ask yourself, “how much should someone in my position be earning?”.

Using this question, do your research and identify the range in which you should be earning, then match it up to your current pay. Look at job adverts relating to your position and responsibilities; how much is the salary given? This is a good way to understand what someone in your position should be earning and the information will be helpful during your salary negotiation.

3. Identify the right time to discuss salary

Once you have done your research and have identified what others in a similar position to yours make, it is time to plan when to talk money with your boss or potential employer. At this time you already know the salary range you should be in, have factors to prove your worth in the company and understand your value as an employee. Now it is time to discuss salary. If you are going for an interview, you can read more about how to negotiate salary in an interview here. And if you are negotiating with your boss, it is time to make an appointment.

But remember that every day is not a good day to discuss salary; you need to examine the mood. Did your company make a big sale recently? Is your boss driving a new car or in a constant good mood? Did the team really do well in a recent project? If your answers to these questions is yes, then proceed to ask for a better salary. If your answers lean towards a big no, you may want to hold on a little longer. Find the right time to do it.

The salary issue is a big concern for many and negotiating an increase is even harder, especially if your employer does not encourage open communication. However, if you are feeling underpaid in your job, it is time to stop complaining and do something about it. Know what you are worth and demand it.