Feeling Underpaid in HR: Is It Time to Switch Jobs for Better Pay?

I am an MBA-HR and presently working in a Generalist-HR profile for the last one and a half years. I am exposed to different areas of HR, but the salary is quite less compared to my batchmates. Is this the right time for a change? Can salary be a reason for change? What should be the ideal salary hike that I can ask for when applying for another job? When asked in the interview about the "Reason for change," should I mention that salary is the reason? Please advise.

Why don't you ask for an appraisal in your present company? You seem to be satisfied with your profile. It would be nice if you could stick around for some more time and get a good hike. If after completion of 2 years you still don't get an appraisal, you can consider a change. Right now, ask for a hike in your appraisal.

Hi,

What Vineeta suggested is appropriate. Anyways, you can tell that you are planning for economic stability and have family commitments to meet the needs. The percentage of salary hike you can ask for is 15-20% if you are confident about your job role and responsibilities, and as long as you are confident in yourself.

Regards,
Sunil Kumar

Hi,

I would say that salary is the ONLY reason in 90% of cases, but it does not have to be disclosed. Just like the Miss World answering the question, "What would you do if you won this title?" She answers that she would do charity work, serve society, take care of orphans and the poor, and so on. Never ever mention that the reason for the change is salary; this will set you back. Instead, find a good, smart answer. And yes, it is high time that you change your job because you have already been there for over a year and are underpaid.

When a drop of water falls into the sea, it loses its identity, but the same drop, when it falls on a leaf, shines and glistens. So choose your place where you can shine.

Good luck with prayers,
--Deepak K

Don't ever compare yourself with your batchmates. Sometimes your juniors will overtake you. Look at the size of the company, job content, and learning potential. You must have a career design.

1 to 5 years... Learn and learn.
5 to 10 years, learn through experiments. For this, you must have reached a managerial position.
10 to 15 years, work on strategy. You must have reached the General Manager position of, say, a 500 crore company minimum.
15 to 20, start mentoring. Try moving to Business. This career design you must plan.

Along with this, you also have a salary design for yourself. Then you can make decisions faster.

Siva