by Virginia Russell
Start the process of getting a raise by ‘hiring’ the right boss. This means accept a job with a boss who is supportive and will take the time to teach and coach you in areas you need.
Job Description
When you are considering a position, get a job description in writing. This is important because if responsibilities are added to your job, you want to be able to show this at your Performance Review, which will help to build your case for getting a raise. After you have negotiated your salary, find out what the procedure for raises is. If you don’t get the salary you asked for, suggest having a review in 6 months with the goal of getting an increase at that time, depending of course on whether you are performing according to expectations. Once you are hired, start planning for your raise the first day on the new job.
Manage Up
After you become familiar with the basic tasks of your new job, it is critical to start paying attention to your bosses priorities, pressures, and style so that you can help your boss reach his/her goals. Managing Up is about recognizing that your boss is the most important resource for achievement, accomplishment and personal success which can result in raises and promotions for you.
Accomplishment File
This is a file that you need to keep handy so that every time you volunteer or are asked to do something beyond your job description, you have a written record of it. You will then have proof positive of what you have done to deserve a merit raise at your Performance Review.
Preparing you Case
When you have followed these steps and you feel that you deserve a raise, it is time to work on presenting your case and the manner in which you will present it. Background Information for your case should include:
- Any accomplishments since you were hired
- A survey of what others in your position make even if you do not have the official title. You can do some research on this through newspaper want ads, finding someone in the same industry but not the same place of work who is in the same job, and through internet research. For internet research, go to www.dol.gov and look up the Occupation Outlook Handbook which lists salaries for all jobs or go to www.salary.com for the same information.
Rehearse your presentation
Arrange your case in a logical order. Start with a positive statement about how much you enjoy your job and are grateful for the opportunity to learn and improve your skills. Next state the areas where you have added value to the job and taken on new responsibilities. Then, state the amount of the raise you would like to get. At this point, present the research you have done to show what people in your position make at other companies. Be aware that your expectations may not be met so that you do not overreact if the answer is not what you had hoped for. Prepare what you will say if the answer is no.
When to ask
Request a quiet and non-stressful time to talk to your boss. Ask him/her to schedule a meeting on the calendar. He or she may suggest that you wait until your performance evaluation unless you made an agreement when you were hired to be reviewed before that.
Performance Review
At most companies, performance reviews are done once a year. When you are being reviewed, listen carefully to what your boss is saying and do not react until she or he has finished. Mention those areas where you have taken on more responsibility and state the case you have rehearsed. If your boss had suggested making improvements prior to the review, be confident and calm and explain how you have made them. If you do not get the raise or if you only get a partial raise, confidently state that you would like to be reviewed again and schedule a date and time. Of course, if you try this again and the same thing happens, you might want to look for a new job. If you find a new job and your boss counter offers with a raise, be aware that it might not ultimately work out because your boss may feel he/she was pressured into it and feel resentful.
| Virginia Russell of RussellConsulting is a career coach specializing in career development, career transition and career management. She helps clients clarify career goals, market themselves for new positions as well as transition into new career fields. In the corporate arena, she coaches employees in managing their positions.
Visit the Russell Consulting International website or reach Virginia directly at vrussell@russellconsultingintl.com. |  |
|
