Should I ask for a raise or start looking for new job opportunities?
Asked by
EpicSkyWalker94
I've been working in a small health-tech startup as the only DevSecOps engineer for about 18 months, and I love the team and the work. However, I've recently faced some frustrating issues. Last year, we had layoffs, and no one received their promised 10% bonus. With another engineer leaving soon, we'll be down to just three engineers, and I'm feeling a bit undervalued. Though I've been contributing significantly and developed all of our tech and security infrastructure, I only received a 3% raise after a non-interactive performance review cycle, which feels pretty disappointing. Given that the market for my role suggests I could easily earn 20-25% more, I'm torn between asking for a modest raise or a guaranteed bonus versus possibly looking for greener pastures. How can I approach my boss about this without risking my job?
Answers
If you think your current role won’t allow for significant growth and you’re seeing layoffs, it might be time to start job hunting. Even if you love your job, it's crucial to ensure you’re being compensated fairly for your skills. However, don’t quit until you have another opportunity locked down!
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Make sure you're personally invested in the projects you’re working on. If the startup doesn’t have a strong vision or isn’t financially stable, it might not be worth sticking around for a subpar salary. It's smart to keep your options open and look for other jobs while being respectful in your current role. Just remember, don’t leave until you have another offer lined up.
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It sounds like you've done a lot for your company, but asking for a raise can be risky, especially in a small startup. Your best leverage is really looking for better options elsewhere. If your company has a history of layoffs and doesn’t prioritize raises, you might not get the response you hope for. Sometimes the only option is to move on if you feel underappreciated. Just be prepared for that possibility as you approach the conversation.
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