We’ve spoken to a number of candidates recently who’ve told us they are looking for part time work in addition to their existing full-time job. In many cases it hadn’t occurred to them to attempt a salary discussion with their employer and simply ask for a pay rise before looking for additional work.
Many people find these chats uncomfortable, but the truth is that the conversation is almost never as difficult as you think it’s going to be. Also, your employer may be totally oblivious to the fact that your financial necessities aren’t being met. If they knew you were considering taking up a second job, they might be far more amenable to discussing a pay rise than you had anticipated – especially if you are struggling.
Second jobs can create issues you might not have considered
If you decide to look for a second job in the industry you already work in for your primary job, this might actually be a conflict of interest. It could subsequently create problems for you with both employers – particularly if the two companies are in competition.
It’s important to always check your contract with your existing employer before you attempt to do other additional work. There might be a clause in there that rules it out completely.
Tips for having a salary discussion with your boss
If you decide to talk to your boss about your salary, be sure to come prepared with a list of positive things you’ve contributed to the business. Also, make sure you’ve benchmarked yourself against other similar roles by checking jobs platforms. Information and data are powerful for these sorts of conversations. Be succinct and don’t waffle. Ask yourself when prepping – “does this information help my case or is it irrelevant?”
Be honest about your personal position. Tell your boss that you’ve been looking into getting a second job to supplement your income. This will illustrate how important an increase is to you.
Talk to us
If you’re unsure how to approach a salary conversation with your boss, don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our consultants. We’ll be able to give you an indication as to whether you’re currently being underpaid relative to the market; as well as providing you with some tips on how best to ask for a pay rise.