Welcome back to Beyond Deadlines newsletter—a free perk for people looking to improve in Planning and Scheduling. Each week, we provide tactics, prompts, jobs and food for thought. We want you to succeed today, tomorrow and throughout the rest of your career.
The lesson to me was clear: Nothing is what you think it is. You give everything its meaning.
The Raise You Deserve Is Already Out There
Most schedulers wait to be recognized.
That's a mistake.
Here's something I wish someone had told me earlier: your employer will almost never volunteer a raise. You have to build the case, bring it to the table, and ask. Full stop.
And the best time to build that case? Right now, before you need it.
Start by spending 30 minutes on LinkedIn Jobs, Indeed, and ENR. Search your exact role. Look at what similar positions are paying at other companies. Screenshot everything. You're not job hunting. You're collecting market data.
What you'll usually find surprises people. The market has moved. Salaries for experienced planners and schedulers on data center and large infrastructure programs have jumped significantly over the last few years. The demand is real and it's not slowing down.
Now take that data to your boss. Not as a threat. As a conversation.
Something like: "I've been doing some research on where the market sits for someone with my experience and skillset. I want to make sure we're aligned. Can we talk about my comp?"
That's it. No ultimatums. No drama. Just facts and confidence.
Two things can happen. They meet you where the market is. Or they don't and you've just confirmed it's time to move.
Either way you win.
I've seen this work over and over. The planners who get paid what they're worth are the ones willing to have the conversation. The ones who stay underpaid are the ones who keep hoping someone notices.
Your action step: Block 30 minutes this week. Pull up five job postings that match your role and experience. Write down the salary ranges. That's your number. Now go have the conversation.
Action beats intention every time.
The Get a Raise Prompt
I am a construction [planner/scheduler/project controls engineer] with [X] years of experience. I currently work at [company type, e.g., large GC / owner's rep / consultancy] on [type of projects, e.g., data center, infrastructure, industrial]. My current salary is approximately $[X].
Help me build a professional case for a raise. I want you to:
1. Help me frame my value in terms my employer cares about (project delivery, risk reduction, schedule accuracy, team impact).
2. Suggest how I can present market data to show where my compensation sits relative to peers in my role.
3. Draft a short, confident opening for the conversation with my manager that doesn't sound like a threat or an ultimatum.
4. Give me three likely objections my employer might raise and how I can respond to each.
Keep everything concise, professional, and direct. I don't want fluff. I want something I can actually use.
Company - Tesla
Location - Germany
Company - Turner & Townsend
Location - Dublin, Ireland
Company - Accenture
Location - Dublin, Ireland
We have no connection to these jobs or companies. Our goal is simply to help you land the job of your dreams.
This week’s episode we dive into automating reporting. Watch or Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or Youtube.
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