How to use substantial responsibilities outside of the job description (but still related) to justify a raise?

Question

I'm currently a junior (back-end) software developer in the Netherlands. My job description only requires me to work on the back-end in one programming language.

In practice I am required to work in two different languages and am carrying out work on the front-end as well.

Additionally I am working on server administration, hosting, dealing direct with the customer and recently have been dealing with the incoming GDPR legislation.

How can I use these additional responsibilities/tasks to ask for a raise?

And what is the best way to communicate this request to management?

The only way to be sure that you get what you ask for is to ask for nothing. — Alex Howansky, Apr 12 '18 at 17:34
@paparazzo this entire site is about giving advice. I know what you're getting at, but "advice" probably isn't the word to use. "We can't tell you what to do" is more appropriate. — user428517, Apr 12 '18 at 21:32

score 1 · Answer 1 · answered Apr 12 '18 at 17:57

In my experience job descriptions in IT/development are pretty much meaningless, very few roles condense easily into a few lines and there will always be ancillary tasks that fall outside of it.

However these additional responsibilities you describe sound, for the most part, like a reasonably common career development trajectory for a junior developer. And if they are taking up a non-trivial amount of your time - and most importantly if you are doing them well then they are a good basis to ask for a salary increase.

The best way to do this is to arrange a 1-1 meeting with your manager (or use your next performance review if it's soon enough for you) and make your case about how these additional tasks you are carrying out are bringing value to the company over and above your standard duties. Go armed with specific examples of ones that went well and of skills you have acquired.

Attitude is key here, going in with

I'm doing all this stuff that isn't in my job description, it's not fair. You need to pay me more

isn't likely to go down well. Whereas:

I really feel like I've grown during my time here. I've learnt language x and used it to implement front end widgets a, b & c and I really feel that I'm bringing much more value to the company as a result

is much more positive and get's your manager thinking along the right lines i.e. about what they are getting for their money.

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Apr 12 '18 at 18:48

You are not providing enough information. You are involved in a second programming language but how complex are the tasks you are doing? Are you doing overtime due to workload?
Assessing if what you are doing is impressive enough to deserve a raise is hard.
However the most usual path for a raise is promotion. You are a junior programmer as you mentioned so you could present a case if you can prove that what you do requires skill above a junior.
Usually a promotion means a raise. It is much easier to get a promotion than just ask for a raise usually but experiences vary

How to use substantial responsibilities outside of the job description (but still related) to justify a raise?

2 Answers2