I've been working in DevSecOps for a small health-tech startup with fewer than 20 employees. Recently, we've experienced layoffs and no one received their expected 10% bonuses. With another engineer leaving soon, it will just be three of us left. I've been in my role for 18 months, earning a decent salary, but I've learned that I could likely make 20-25% more elsewhere given my experience of 8 years in the field.
After a long performance review process, I received a mere 3% raise, which feels incredibly disappointing, especially since I was hoping to negotiate a better pay after my first year. I really love my job and the team, but the salary just doesn't match the market value. I feel like I'm crucial to our success, having built our tech and security infrastructure directly alongside the CTO. I've been contemplating whether I should ask for a raise—somewhere between 10-15% or perhaps negotiate for a guaranteed bonus—or if I should just start looking for another job altogether. How can I approach asking for a raise without jeopardizing my position?
5 Answers
Honestly, at this point, just focus on finding another job. The raises might not be worth the hassle you'll face when you ask.
If you already know you can get a better salary, why not start job hunting? You deserve to get what you’re worth. Just be cautious and don’t leave without having something secured first; you don’t want to be caught without a paycheck.
I agree, don’t quit unless you have another offer on the table. The job market isn’t the same as it was before, so keep looking while you consider your options.
It’s all about leverage, right? If you're being underpaid and they haven’t addressed it, your best bet might really be to look elsewhere. Asking for a significant raise in a small company that's had layoffs could be tricky. Most places expect you to be ready to walk out to get what you want. You might get a polite no, so keep your mind open about job hunting.
Think about whether you’re getting fulfillment from your current projects. If you aren’t seeing the growth you want, it might be a sign to start searching for new opportunities. Just remember, it’s usually best to have a new job lined up before quitting your current one. Plus, always be professional and keep your discussions discreet.
That makes sense! The company’s in a tricky spot right now, but as long as you’re valuable, it’s good to keep your options open. Good luck!
Exactly! Just make sure you’re ready to follow through if they say no. They really need you, especially with all the infrastructure work you've done.