Asking for a raise is probably one of the most awkward things any of us has to do as part of our working lives. However, it is something that we all have to do at least occasionally, so it’s definitely worth being prepared for when the time comes.
Read on for some top tips on how you can go about getting that raise.
Go the Extra Mile
First of all, it’s not going to be easy to get a raise if you’re the kind of employee who pitches up late, does the minimum amount of work all day and then leaves at the first opportunity. It’s an avoidable mistake to create a false comfort zone around yourself and think that the boss and co-workers are not able to see through your lack of commitment to your work.
You need to prove that you’re worth the money, so work as hard as you can. Volunteer to take on extra responsibility if you’re able to; leading on successful projects is a good sign you’re worth your salary. Also make sure you speak up in team meetings and don’t let anyone else take credit for your ideas – or else they might get the raise that should have been yours in the first place.
Be Prepared To Ask For It
You also need to be prepared to ask for a raise, as it’s rare that one will just be offered to you by your employer. You’ll probably have regular review meetings with your boss, and this can be a good time to broach the subject. They may even be expecting it and even if they’re not, they’ll have had the conversation with other people before, so be brave and ask them.
Pick Your Moment
An important thing to keep in mind here is that you should always be careful when choosing your moment to ask for a raise.
For instance, the week after you’ve made a monumental mistake is probably not the best time to raise the issue, no matter how successful you’ve been for the rest of the year. If your boss is having difficulties, you might also want to wait a while. However, don’t delay too long or you might miss your moment and end up having to wait even longer for another opportunity to come along.
Prove Your Worth
Finally, when you go into your meeting with the aim of getting that raise, make sure you prove your worth. If you can, put together some statistics to prove what you’re worth to the company. Brought in some hot new clients? Make sure you mention that. Got some great feedback from a superior or customers? Provide proof if possible. Keeping a written record of your achievements is a good idea; that way, when you go to ask for a raise, you’ll have plenty of proof as to why you deserve one.
This post is contributed by Total Jobs – a leading job site that currently offers a variety of job vacancies from environment jobs to charity jobs.
Author Byline: Adam C is a London, UK based copywriter and has given sound workplace advice in this article.
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