You work hard and you believe you need to be paid more for your services. It is only natural for you to consider getting a salary increase. However, you have to do it in the right way so that you receive the pay rise you want without getting in trouble with your boss and risking your job. The careful preparation and planning are crucial. You will also have to focus on the psychological factor as well. It is essential for you to have a backup plan in order to get what you want in the end.
The first thing you have to do in order to get a salary increase is to figure out whether you really deserve it. Keep in mind that coming to work on time is not something that you should receive additional remuneration for. More importantly, you should not mistake effort with achievement. Even if you work really hard and give your best, you might not be eligible for salary increase simply because you do not have enough achievements. Thus, you have to make sure you produce results in order to ask for a pay rise.
The next step is to do a little bit of research on the salaries in the industry and in your company. If you are getting more than the average in the sector, you might not be eligible for a pay rise. Alternatively, if you are paid less, then you have yet another argument to support your case. It is also a good idea to check how well your company is doing financially. If the revenues and profits are small and the costs are high, you might want to leave the negotiations for your pay rise for later on.
The key to getting a pay rise is picking the right moment to talk to your manager. You should know them well since you have worked together for some time. You have to choose a moment when your manager is not under great stress. Busy working periods are not the right time either. It is best to choose an occasion that will prompt your manager to pay attention to your proposal and discuss it. It could be after the successful completion of a project or after the issuing of an employee appraisal report.
You have to prepare for the conversation with your manager effectively. It is a good idea to make a list of all the reasons why you should get paid more. More importantly, you have to be open for discussion. You should not view the conversation as negotiations on which you have to be firm. Simply make a suggestion and present your case. You should be prepared to talk about numbers and this is where your research will come in handy. You have to be ready to accept a “yes” as well as a “no” answer.
If you get a salary increase, this is definitely a reason to celebrate and to start working harder as well. In case, you get a “no” answer, you have to get yourself together immediately. You should definitely ask your manager what you can do to improve your performance and results. Then you simply have to use the advice and do better.