Perhaps it’s that
time when you feel that you are not being paid enough, compared to the
amount of work that you do, and the range of skills you bring to the table. How
do you request for a salary raise, without rubbing your managers and
supervisors the wrong way?
First, check with your HR department to see what their
schedule for raises is. Some companies
start the process very early in the year, others wait until later in the year.
Some won't be offering raises at all.
Just because the
economy has improved doesn't mean that your company's financial status has.
Moreover, just because your company posted super-normal profits is no reason to
ask for a raise, unless
you can prove that you have fundamentally contributed
to the bottomline.
What’s more, demanding a raise, especially when you don't
have the job performance to back it up, can come across as negative and, as
such, garner some unwanted attention if the raise isn't awarded.
Here are some suggestions on how you can ask for a salary
raise.
Know your worth.
Before you even request a sit-down or go into an annual evaluation with your
employer, you'll need to do some research. Monitor the industry trends, and see
what other companies pay someone in your position. This will not only provide a
good bargaining chip for a higher salary, but it will also prevent you from
bringing an unrealistic number to the table when you meet with your employer.
Quantify your worth
and, thus, the raise. You need to be able to show your employer how your
performance translates numbers-wise. The simplest way to do this is to document
your successes. For example, sales executives can easily prove how much
business they brought into the company. However, even those who work in a
position that doesn't directly drive profits will benefit from bringing a
written list of accomplishments to the negotiating table. This can include
accolades they may have received over the course of the year, a list of
projects they may have completed and skills they may have developed.
If you've had the
opportunity to get involved and work cross-functionally, you may want to
draw attention to the fact that you now perform duties outside of your original
position.
Don't demand, ask nicely. It is reasonable to request a
meeting to discuss your salary, but you should never issue your employer an
ultimatum. In other words, don't tell them you will quit if you are denied the
extra money. This can cost you the raise and it can affect your work
environment later on, if your employer should (rightfully) get the impression
you're not happy with your job.
"You should also avoid making blanket statements like
'I work hard' or 'I put in the hours' because everyone is expected to do that.
If at first you don't
succeed, find out how to try again. Getting passed up for a raise doesn't
mean you will never get one. In fact, you should use the opportunity to find
out what exactly you can do to qualify. Ask your employer the things that they
will need to see that will allow you to get a raise in the future. Also, ask
when your next salary review will be and feel free to request a six-month
follow-up if evaluations are annual and you think timely feedback will help
your chances the next time around.
If after many times,
you ask for a raise, and you have facts to prove that you indeed deserve a
higher salary and perks, then it is time to get back to the jobs search market,
and look for an employer that will appreciate your skills, and offer enough
compensation for your input to the company.
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