what if both fresh graduate join in 2004 and one get 2.5k while
the other get 2k?
It probably meant the guy who got higher asked for it.
Seriously, all this bull crap about adding value to the company,
achieving a checklist of targets before you ask for a salary raise
is a bunch of hogwash.
Every year, just ask the same question (whether u really did add
value to the company or not) on getting a pay raise. If you
don't get it, then either u accept it or look for another higher
paying job.
Majority of people working in a company are likely average
workers who do what they are supposed to do. Maybe there
might be 1 out of 1000 workers who really adds true super value to
the company but that is a rarity.
The decision to give u a pay increase is usually a spur of the
moment thing when the HR checks their budget and general economic
situation. (ie, can they afford it based on the money they have at
hand to give out)
Even if u are a superstar in the department, due to the limited
amount of budget allocated to every department, you will likely
only get maybe slightly more than what another average colleague
gets at the end of the year. Rationale is that if u get too
much, it might cause resentment among other colleagues working with
u. Again that is why HR departments always stress to you not
to reveal your salary to anyone so that there is no
comparing.
Being lucky and at the rght place at the right time is more
important than general work performance in my opinion.
