Learn how to prepare and negotiate effectively for a raise as a systems engineer. Discover tips to research your value, showcase your skills, and reach a win-win solution.

I tell people all the time to keep a work journal. Every week write down some things you accomplished each week in that journal/notebook. At the end of the year or upon your review, you have notes of all of your accomplishments. Helps you build a case for promotion or a raise. Buy a notebook , write it in weekly. Thank me later.

Know Your Worth: Research the market value for your skills, experience, and qualifications. Use online tools like Glassdoor or PayScale to compare salaries for similar roles in your location. Network with other systems engineers to understand the salary range and benefits they receive. Highlight Your Achievements: Gather specific examples of how you’ve added value to your organization. Quantify your results using metrics, data, or feedback. Emphasize your core competencies in systems engineering, such as systems thinking, modeling, analysis, and communication. Choose the Right Time: Catch your boss in a good mood and avoid stressful periods. Follow Up and Deliver: Listen to your boss’s response and understand their perspective.

Firstly, you need to tell you managers about your personal goals, and always link them to why you are looking for a salary increase. You currently earn £55K per year, but to buy a bigger house, you need to earn £60K, that's where the conversation should start. Make sure you NEVER approach the discussion by comparing your role to roles in different companies that pay more. Instead, ask your boss what you need to do over the next 6 months to get a salary increase to £60K. This gets rid of "yes" or "no" answers and gives you and your boss a clear and agreed guideline on what needs to happen to get you to £60K. You succeed and get your pay rise and the business feels like they have won because of your excellent contributions. Win-win!!!!

You're in a Systems Engineering role and want to ask for a raise. What's the best way to approach your boss?

As a systems engineer, you are responsible for designing, integrating, and managing complex systems that span multiple disciplines and domains. You have to deal with technical, operational, and organizational challenges, and deliver solutions that meet the needs and expectations of various stakeholders. You are a valuable asset to your organization, and you deserve to be recognized and rewarded for your contributions. But how do you ask for a raise without sounding arrogant, greedy, or ungrateful? Here are some tips to help you prepare and negotiate effectively.

1 Know your worth

Before you approach your boss, do some research on the market value of your skills, experience, and qualifications. You can use online tools, such as Glassdoor or PayScale, to compare salaries for similar roles and locations. You can also network with other systems engineers, either through professional associations, online forums, or personal contacts, and get a sense of the salary range and benefits they receive. This will help you establish a realistic and fair expectation of what you should be paid, and give you confidence to back up your request.

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Jim Wink

Talent Acquisition Lead
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Know Your Worth: Research the market value for your skills, experience, and qualifications. Use online tools like Glassdoor or PayScale to compare salaries for similar roles in your location. Network with other systems engineers to understand the salary range and benefits they receive. Highlight Your Achievements: Gather specific examples of how you’ve added value to your organization. Quantify your results using metrics, data, or feedback. Emphasize your core competencies in systems engineering, such as systems thinking, modeling, analysis, and communication. Choose the Right Time: Catch your boss in a good mood and avoid stressful periods. Follow Up and Deliver: Listen to your boss’s response and understand their perspective.

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🍊Frédéric BARRETEAU🐦

Business Analyst foundation certified ♠ Ingénieur Logiciel 🍊Élu CSE APPLI 🏆Expert LinkedIn
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N'oubliez pas de consulter la grille de salaire de la convention collective ou celle de votre entreprise. Renseignez vous auprès de vos élus CSE ou de votre syndicat.

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2 Highlight your achievements

One of the best ways to justify your raise is to show how you have added value to your organization. Think of specific examples of how you have improved the performance, quality, or efficiency of the systems you work on, or how you have solved problems, reduced costs, or increased customer satisfaction. Quantify your results whenever possible, using metrics, data, or feedback. Also, emphasize how you have demonstrated the core competencies of systems engineering, such as systems thinking, modeling, analysis, synthesis, verification, validation, and communication. These are the skills that set you apart from other engineers, and make you a vital member of the team.

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Evan Gary
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I tell people all the time to keep a work journal. Every week write down some things you accomplished each week in that journal/notebook. At the end of the year or upon your review, you have notes of all of your accomplishments. Helps you build a case for promotion or a raise. Buy a notebook , write it in weekly. Thank me later.

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Lindsay Warren ⚡️🔋🌍

Founder & MD | Recruitment & Exec Search Leader in Transport Decarbonisation, Renewable Energy & Clean Technology across North America, Europe & UK | Founder of Net Zero Heroes | UK +44 7852 509003 | US +1 929-416-0109
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Firstly, you need to tell you managers about your personal goals, and always link them to why you are looking for a salary increase. You currently earn £55K per year, but to buy a bigger house, you need to earn £60K, that's where the conversation should start. Make sure you NEVER approach the discussion by comparing your role to roles in different companies that pay more. Instead, ask your boss what you need to do over the next 6 months to get a salary increase to £60K. This gets rid of "yes" or "no" answers and gives you and your boss a clear and agreed guideline on what needs to happen to get you to £60K. You succeed and get your pay rise and the business feels like they have won because of your excellent contributions. Win-win!!!!

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3 Choose the right time

Timing is crucial when asking for a raise. You want to catch your boss in a good mood, and avoid any periods of stress, crisis, or uncertainty. Ideally, you should schedule a meeting with your boss well in advance, and let them know the purpose of the meeting. This will give them time to prepare, and show them that you are serious and professional. However, if you have an opportunity to showcase your work, such as a successful project completion, a positive review, or a recognition award, you can use that as a catalyst to initiate the conversation. Alternatively, you can align your request with the regular performance appraisal or salary review cycle, if your organization has one.

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🍊Frédéric BARRETEAU🐦

Business Analyst foundation certified ♠ Ingénieur Logiciel 🍊Élu CSE APPLI 🏆Expert LinkedIn
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Connaissez les habitudes de votre entreprise. Augmentation en fin d'année, en début d'année. La publication des résultats semestriels peut aussi être le moment de faire le point et de formuler votre demande.

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4 Be respectful and flexible

When you meet with your boss, start by expressing your appreciation for your job, your team, and your boss. Then, state your request clearly and confidently, and explain why you deserve it, using the evidence you have gathered. Avoid making ultimatums, threats, or comparisons with other employees. Instead, focus on your own value and potential. Be prepared to negotiate, and have a range of acceptable outcomes in mind. For example, if your boss cannot offer you the raise you want right away, you can ask for a timeline, a bonus, or other benefits, such as training, mentoring, or flexible hours. Listen to your boss's perspective, and try to understand their constraints and priorities. Aim for a win-win solution that benefits both you and your organization.

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5 Follow up and deliver

After the meeting, send a thank-you email to your boss, summarizing the main points and agreements of the discussion. If you have received a raise, express your gratitude and your commitment to continue working hard and exceeding expectations. If you have not received a raise, or have agreed to a conditional or future raise, ask for feedback on how you can improve your performance and skills, and set specific goals and action plans. Keep track of your progress, and update your boss regularly. This will show your boss that you are proactive, accountable, and reliable, and increase your chances of getting a raise in the near future.

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🍊Frédéric BARRETEAU🐦

Business Analyst foundation certified ♠ Ingénieur Logiciel 🍊Élu CSE APPLI 🏆Expert LinkedIn
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Merci patron ! Merci patron ! ou Au revoir président ! Si vous avez acceptez une augmentation conditionnelle demandez un écrit : une lettre d'objectifs pour un part variable de votre rémunération ou une prime sur objectifs.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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🍊Frédéric BARRETEAU🐦

Business Analyst foundation certified ♠ Ingénieur Logiciel 🍊Élu CSE APPLI 🏆Expert LinkedIn
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Quel est le taux de sélectivité ? - un salarié sur deux est augmenté - un salarié sur quatre est augmenté "1 chance sur" Non, renseignez vous ! Comment est faite la sélection ? Sur quels critères ? Et reprenez les points précédents.

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You're in a Systems Engineering role and want to ask for a raise. What's the best way to approach your boss?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Know your worth

2 Highlight your achievements

3 Choose the right time

4 Be respectful and flexible

5 Follow up and deliver

6 Here’s what else to consider

Systems Engineering

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You're in a Systems Engineering role and want to ask for a raise. What's the best way to approach your boss?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Know your worth

2 Highlight your achievements

3 Choose the right time

4 Be respectful and flexible

5 Follow up and deliver

6 Here’s what else to consider

Systems Engineering

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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