Dear all,

This is my first post here, so I would like to say hello to all of you!

My question is very simple. I am about to reach the first anniversary in my job (Export Sales Manager, 5 years experience) and it will also come the moment that I have to ask for a raise to my boss, just as we agreed at the moment he hired me (after one year they will review my salary).

There is one important thing to consider: I really wanted to get the job, so from the first moment I accepted a salary that it could be considered below the average.

My salary is CHF 6,500 per month. After taxes, only something more than 5,000 net remains (I know, I pay a lot of taxes due to my Permit...).

I am in CH since 3 years, so I knew that with this salary I was going to be a little bit tight if I want to live up to the standars.

But now I am considering the possibility of asking for a raise of 1,000 CHF.

Yes, 1000 CHF. What do you think? Is it too much? My job involves constant travelling, between 30 and 50% of the time and I guess this should be better paid. I should also say that my company is a rather small Swiss company, not a multinational corporation, so I guess this is another important point to take into consideration...

Please let me know what do you think about it. All your help will be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

We are not convinced that your performance throughout the year has shown the sustained level of commitment and achievement that we really envisaged for this role. Therefore the forum feels that we are unable to agree to the rise that you request.

Ok if you want a serious answer: you are in sales. You should know about negotiation. Why should I pay you extra ? What benefits and profits have you brought to the company. Can you quantify these ? What will happen if I say no ? Will you walk ? Do I care ? What if I say yes ? Are the profits from your activity growing ? Make a case and persuade. Thats your job.

dave

Since you're in export sales, how much did the company export last year? Was this an increase or decrease from the previous year? That's going to be the main criteria for a raise.

If this helps, we gave in our company salary increases to good performers going from 2% up to 6%.
If you performance went above the expectations, you should consider asking for something around 4% at least. Obviously I am dropping these figures to the table as you may be axious to get some feedback, but I don't know what your package comprises (i.e. bonus, housing allowance, etc). Just my humble opinion.

Whatever you do, don't go in to the meeting dressed as your avatar, saying 'There can be only one' and lopping your boss' head off. Then you get no pay at all.
Failing that, ask for more than you think. If they say no, you've started negotiations from a higher level than if you'd asked straight, and if they say yes, then bonus!