How do you ask for a raise?
 

Hey y'all. Here's the premise. I've been working at this law firm for four months now. I started off as a runner and did that for about three months, then I took on the position of receptionist. It's not so much that I was promoted as that things just kinda fell into place. Yeah, I got a pay raise. Here's my situation. I'm bilingual, fluent in Spanish. The firm I work for deals with a great deal of Spanish speaking clients. The other receptionist doesn't speak Spanish and defers the Spanish speaking clients, both on the phone and walk-in, to me. I end up dealing with approximately 1.5-2x the amount of clients that she does just due to the language. The other receptionist has worked there for three years now; I don't know how much she makes. I'm sure due to seniority she makes more than I do. Client service-wise, I'm pretty damn good, and that's not being snotty about it, that's just honesty. I mean, when clients tell you you're pleasant to deal with, you kinda take their word for it. Now, how do I approach the lead attorney about a pay raise? And am I being an upstart about asking for a pay raise so soon after getting the position, or does it sound reasonable? Thoughts and opinions would be appreciated. Thanks in advance. :)

¡Demuéstreme el dinero!

Seriously, the best way is to make a list of your qualifications and achievements w/the firm. Another good way is taking initiative and starting new ideas. Since you have such a high Spanish-speaking population, and the other girl just has to defer them to you anyway, see if they can start advertising one of their phone numbers as Spanish-only, and have that one be the one that goes to your phone. If they see that you're a team player, and are looking to help the firm, they're more likely to either give you a merit raise, or say yes when you ask for it.

Ooooh... I really think four months with the firm is too soon. You already have gotten one promotion and one raise. That's great in such a short period of employment with them.

My opinion: I think you should wait until you at least hit the six month mark from when you started your NEW position... not from when you started at the company. I agree with Alpha Frog's advice. Definately DO make a list of all of your qualifications and achievements. Document, document, document. Keep a little diary and make an entry each time you've done something above and beyond for the firm. This is for your eyes only.. just something to review before you go in for your raise.

I love her idea about the Spanish speaking only advertisements. This will make them money and make YOU more valuable to the firm.

Then, when the time is right.. make an appointment with the appropriate person and tell them that you feel you merit a raise. I think it would be unwise to bring the secretary into the conversation. The raise is about you.. not her. Bringing her up would look like sour grapes. Instead, keep the conversation positive and focused on how valuable you are.

If they tell you no, then ask them specifically exactly what you need to do to merit that raise. Then do it.. and after a few months.. come back to them and show them that you met their requirements. I would also give them a specific figure. Ask for more than what you expect to get (within reason) and be prepared to get something in between.

Good luck!