Advice on asking for a raise

[ashbeeigh]

Why not look for something higher up on the food chain? Even if it means you don't get a pay raise you get a better le and more experience for when you do/if you move out of retail. At a nationwide chain like Target I'm sure there's some type of set guideline as to wages and salaries. I still stand by my talk to co-workers bit, but I'm also throwing out the "look for something better" within in the company and your store. That's what I did.

[Geezerballer]

You have been doing a job that you agreed to do for the wage you agreed to take right? All that’s changed is time. If you want more money, become more valuable. If you can make the case that you are more valuable to the company, then make it based on the dollars you generate (or save).

The most tactful way to approach it is to ask for a minute w/ your boss. Tell him that you believe you are ready for a more demanding position that will pay more money and ask him if he agrees. If he doesn’t, ask him how you can improve your performance so that you will be worth more money to the company.

You need to get over the idea that you are worth more money just because you’ve been showing up on time for a year. If your boss thinks he can replace you for what he’s paying you today, it’s his job to keep labor costs down.

[marini martini]

What courses did you take in college, to qualify your working at Target?

[I. Hustle]

Marini always asks me for a raise... if ya know what I mean.

[Bender]

I once got a 5 cents an hour raise, but it was back in 1979

[Thunder Dan]

you realize that Target could go outside and throw a rock and hit 10 people that could take and do your job for less money. Especially in rough times, there are people desperately looking for jobs at places like Target. Don't shoot yourself in the foot by ruining the job you have.

This is what's really bad about how the young generation was raised. They were taught that each of them is super-valuable and special and deserves the sun, moon, and stars. They were told that each of them is a dynamo of creativity and wonderful ideas. They were filled with boundless optimism that anything their heart desires is within reach.

But then reality hits and they find themselves working a menial unskilled-labor job at Target, while they have tens of thousands of dollars in student loans to pay off from an education that gained them nothing. And they look around them and see that compared to a lot of their peers, they're one of the lucky ones. This is not how it was supposed to turn out.

So maybe wrapping these kids up in tissue paper and bubble wrap for 22 years wasn't the best way to prepare them for life as adults.

Anyway, I don't know about a raise, since to Target worker bees are a dime a dozen, but given how high turnover is at a place like that, if you work hard and learn to toot your own horn a little bit, maybe you'll end up as an assistant manager and crack $30K with benefits.

it's soccer mentality. I would bet that the OP played soccer as a young kid. It's the reason the generation of 15-21 year olds have so many problems. It can all be blamed on the soccer culture of protecting kids from failure.

[Drachen]

Depends on your marginal tax rate and state tax. Oregon is at 9%. Social Security and Medicare are 7.65%.

10%: 10% +9% +7.65% = 26.65% = $6.36 net monthly

15%: 15% +9% +7.65% = 31.65% = $5.92 net monthly

25%: 25% +9% +7.65% = 41.65% = $5.06 net monthly

28%: 28% +9% +7.65% = 44.65% = $4.80 net monthly

31%: 31% +9% +7.65% = 47.65% = $4.54 net monthly

I am sure that in your calculations you came across the amount that I typed. It is the gross amount.

[Jacob1983]

FYI, I was born in 1983 so I don't consider myself to be a part of the current lazy generation. I actually do have experience in warehouse work. I worked two summers at Blockbuster Warehouse. I also worked about 10 months as a stocker at a clothing store. I know what warehouse work is like. Warehouse work is straight up manual labor. I always thought that hard work and dedication were suppose to pay off at a job. I guess I was wrong. Besides, there's nothing wrong with asking for a raise. The worst possible outcome is that they say no. When you work hard and are dedicated, you deserve some props and recognition in my opinion. Every time that I stay late, I never hear anyone say "hey, thanks for staying late" or "I appreciate you staying late and finishing up here".

[spursfan09]

I guess my question is, what is your degree in and what exactly do you do at target? What's your job le.

[Sense]

I get 16/hr and I want a raise.

qq.

[florige]

FYI, I was born in 1983 so I don't consider myself to be a part of the current lazy generation. I actually do have experience in warehouse work. I worked two summers at Blockbuster Warehouse. I also worked about 10 months as a stocker at a clothing store. I know what warehouse work is like. Warehouse work is straight up manual labor. I always thought that hard work and dedication were suppose to pay off at a job. I guess I was wrong. Besides, there's nothing wrong with asking for a raise. The worst possible outcome is that they say no. When you work hard and are dedicated, you deserve some props and recognition in my opinion. Every time that I stay late, I never hear anyone say "hey, thanks for staying late" or "I appreciate you staying late and finishing up here".

Okay I had to edit my entire post because I see you already did college. What kind of degree did you get?

[phyzik]

So you work for target from what little I have read from this thread.

Let me tell you a still ongoing story.

About 14 years ago I had a neighbor move in. I was about 16 at the time. He was 16 years my senior. His birthday was yesterday and just turned 44. He is as close to a father figure I have since my biological father passed away just 6 days after the turn of the century.

We drink together, smoke together, you name it. This guy brought me up and taught me about life after my father passed away. In fact, he is now living with me because he is hitting hard times now, the reasons which I dont want to go through but I will say its nothing wrong on his part, he just got divorced.

This guy, when I first met him, was a meat market manager when Albertsons was still in San Antonio. His knowledge as a butcher is unsurpassed as far as Im concerned. These where the days when didnt come pre-packaged like you see in Wal-Mart and Target.

When at Albertsons he was banking, but at a price. He was logging regularly 60 hours a week. He was paid salary so didnt make overtime. When Albertsons left San Antonio, he went to work for La Fiesta and Handy-Andy simultaniously. Again, he was busting his ass.

After a few months, he went to work for Wal-Mart. The most evil corporation in this world in my opinion. He never got close to making the money he made at Albertsons. Whats worse, they kept cutting his hours short (which they still do today according to friends who still work their, and it will be even worse come soon).

He is now working for H-E-B. He has gone from meat cutter to Manager to department director and back to meat cutter. Still making less than he ever made at Albertsons.

Still in a DEAD END JOB!

Bottom line, your ed if you stay there. Its a dead end ing JOB. Its not a CAREER. Trust me, he and I have seen friends (and "enemies") try and make a career in grocery and ALL of them have failed.

your in a dead end JOB.

get a CAREER!

Its taken 16 years to finally convince this guy to let it go. He has been too comfortable in the community of shopping centers because he was scared of something "different". Those jobs should be for summer jobs and college kids only. Dont get stuck in the trap. You will regret it. Trust me.

There's a reason this guy is forced to stay with me now. He still works for H-E-B but is trying to look someplace else.

It's sad if you think $15/hr is considered decent pay. If thats the case, your at a JOB. not a CAREER. Thats whats wrong with young people today.

I have no problem saying how much I make, just so you can get an idea. I started a CAREER 2 years ago. I STARTED at $17 an hour with hardly any experience. I now make, 1 year later, close to $22 an hour and am up for another raise come March which should put me close to $25 an hour.

Im not rich by any means, but I would like to think thats pretty good money after only 2 years.

[florige]

^^^^ Unless you are upper management like store mgr, or assistant store mgr. retail places like that are just for college kids trying to make a few extra bucks. Those places could really give a crap about you if you aren't anyone in upper management.

[baseline bum]

Your ONLY chance to get a raise at a retail chain like that is to show leadership skills and move up to supervisor. Being successful just from working hard is an American myth. How hard you work doesn't mean jack to a place like Target because a monkey can do the job; all you are to them is a warm body. Forget about working harder; work smarter. Teach your co-workers how to do their jobs better without pissing them off. Kiss the boss' ass; I know it sounds cynical as , but pretending to be your boss' friend and that you give a about his kids, his new car, etc. is effective. Show a high level of energy and pretend you actually enjoy what you do and like the people you're around.

Or if you don't want to do all of that, work just hard enough to not get fired. To be honest, doing the minimal level of work is a better idea IMO there, because being a good supervisor/manager is a of a lot harder than being a good worker bee. You might get an extra $1-$1.50 an hour, but you'll be way more busy unless you just don't give a (in which case you'll be fired quickly).

[Jacob1983]

I have a BS in psychology. I had a passion for cartography but I wasn't sure I could do it because of all the math in it. I will admit that I made a million mistakes during my college experience but I'm not going to be able to use a time machine to change the past or get a do-over. I hear what you're saying. A lot of what you're saying is 100 percent. It's sad that it's true though. It's sad that a lot of people get ahead in their jobs and careers because they bull their way to the top and aren't really hard working or dedicated. It does suck when you're hard working and dedicated and no one gives a . It makes you feel like you wasted a lot of energy and time. My whole life I've been brainwashed that hard work pays off. Sad but true. My parents have worked hard their entire adult lives and they've always been in the lower part of the middle class so I guess hard work doesn't pay off.

[PM5K]

Your ONLY chance to get a raise at a retail chain like that is to show leadership skills and move up to supervisor. Being successful just from working hard is an American myth. How hard you work doesn't mean jack to a place like Target because a monkey can do the job; all you are to them is a warm body. Forget about working harder; work smarter. Teach your co-workers how to do their jobs better without pissing them off. Kiss the boss' ass; I know it sounds cynical as , but pretending to be your boss' friend and that you give a about his kids, his new car, etc. is effective. Show a high level of energy and pretend you actually enjoy what you do and like the people you're around.

Or if you don't want to do all of that, work just hard enough to not get fired. To be honest, doing the minimal level of work is a better idea IMO there, because being a good supervisor/manager is a of a lot harder than being a good worker bee. You might get an extra $1-$1.50 an hour, but you'll be way more busy unless you just don't give a (in which case you'll be fired quickly).

I can't agree with this verbatim, but in general I agree with this.

[Wild Cobra]

I am sure that in your calculations you came across the amount that I typed. It is the gross amount.

Yes, I based it on 2080 hr/year at the $0.05 raise.

[DarkReign]

your first mistake was asking for career advice from a bunch of losers who post on spurstalk.com day and night when they should be working

qft

[exstatic]

I have a BS in psychology. I had a passion for cartography but I wasn't sure I could do it because of all the math in it. I will admit that I made a million mistakes during my college experience but I'm not going to be able to use a time machine to change the past or get a do-over. I hear what you're saying. A lot of what you're saying is 100 percent. It's sad that it's true though. It's sad that a lot of people get ahead in their jobs and careers because they bull their way to the top and aren't really hard working or dedicated. It does suck when you're hard working and dedicated and no one gives a . It makes you feel like you wasted a lot of energy and time. My whole life I've been brainwashed that hard work pays off. Sad but true. My parents have worked hard their entire adult lives and they've always been in the lower part of the middle class so I guess hard work doesn't pay off.

Unless you have a REALLY DUMB boss, ass kissing alone won't get it done. However, if you have two employees with the same work level, the ass kisser will likely advance faster.

I agree with others who say you're unlikely to get a raise in your current position at this time. See if you can work up the food chain to a better paying position. In other words, as about a promotion, not a raise.

[Jacob1983]

I asked for the raise today. I got a flat out no. He said that Target has strict policies about raises and the 5 cent raise that I received back in April was my raise for the year. After he said no, I told him that I wanted to work a couple of night shifts a week so I could make more money. If I work a night shift, I will make 10.55 an hour for every time that I work a night shift. You get 2 dollars more if you work the night shift.

[Extra Stout]

FYI, I was born in 1983 so I don't consider myself to be a part of the current lazy generation.

You're a "millennial;" not part of the "lazy" generation. The stereotype of the "millennial" is a kid who was shuttled around his whole childhood from soccer practice to recital to whatever other activities he was in. His whole life was planned and structured. He was insulated by his parents from any risks whatsoever of getting hurt. His self-esteem was held as sacrosanct. He got trophies for effort. He was never allowed to fail. He spent 18 years encased in bubble wrap.

His parents told him he was special and uniquely creative and nothing bad would ever happen to him as long as he worked hard.

Was that you?

[bus driver]

did he get the raise?

[Mad Bonner]

You want advice on getting a raise? First you tease it then rub it a little maybe kiss it some...


hold on I'll be back

[gatoloco]

You're a "millennial;" not part of the "lazy" generation. The stereotype of the "millennial" is a kid who was shuttled around his whole childhood from soccer practice to recital to whatever other activities he was in. His whole life was planned and structured. He was insulated by his parents from any risks whatsoever of getting hurt. His self-esteem was held as sacrosanct. He got trophies for effort. He was never allowed to fail. He spent 18 years encased in bubble wrap.

His parents told him he was special and uniquely creative and nothing bad would ever happen to him as long as he worked hard.

Was that you?

cool, what's your nickname for current toddlers!

[ashbeeigh]

And I thought I had a hard time getting a job with a BA in psychology. Target? Seriously? Please at least tell me you're going to Grad school at the same time.