Position Yourself for a Raise in the Next Six Months

Tips for Getting That Raise You Deserve

If you’re gunning for a raise in the next six months, you have to take a really good look at how you’ve been performing in your position.

It’s not always easy for the eye to see itself, but in the case of asking for a raise, you must go into the meeting with your manager ready to convince him or her why you are deserving of a pay increase. While it can be a challenge to compile your list of accomplishments on your own, here are some questions you can ask yourself to get super clear on whether you are deserving of a raise and it’s time to boldly ask for one, or whether you should work on improving your performance first before you go in.

Ask the Right Questions of Yourself 

As you prepare for your big ask, take a few minutes (or days!) to reflect on the following questions. Be as honest with yourself as possible:

• Do you show up on time for work?
• Do you get involved in office gossip?
• Are you a worker who minds his or her own business and gets work done well and on time?
• Do you go above and beyond the requirements?
• Do you take on extra work, to your detriment?
• Have you had good reviews in the past?
• Did you make improvements since your last review?

 

Right off the bat I can tell you that if you have recently had a bad review, or you haven’t taken steps to improve your quality of work in the office, it’s not a good idea to ask for a raise. To your manager, it will come out of the blue and seem ridiculous.

If you can answer all the above questions favorably, go on to ask yourself:

• What makes you feel you deserve this raise?
• What have you done to improve the office, make other people’s lives easier, or help the company succeed?
• Do people generally like you and get along with you (in other words, are you collaborative)?
• Have you done your research as to how much others in your area of expertise are making?

If you’re looking at a new position (as opposed to just asking for a raise in your current job), take a little time to find out what it takes to do that new job. Are your strengths really in alignment with the demands of that new position?

Document Your Accomplishments

It’s important that we each document our accomplishments as we go about our job, not only so that we can feel great about our work but also so that when you do go in to ask for a raise, you can cite specifically why you deserve it!

Remember, your boss is a human being, too, which means that he or she isn’t necessarily paying close attention to every single little thing you do right. It’s important to be able to stand on your own two feet and say (honestly), “Here are the things I’ve done since my last review and the impact those things have had on our company.”

Mums the Word.

Generally speaking, it’s not a good idea to confide in your colleagues that you’re about to ask for a raise. When you bring that up, it could trigger jealousy in your co-workers (yes, even if that person is your friend!) and he or she might try to sabotage your efforts.

The only exception is your boss, or the person you will petition for a raise.  That person – when he or she knows that you’re looking to move up – will watch you more closely, perhaps may give you valuable feedback or even recommend you for a leadership training program. You never know!

If you’re eager for a raise, get your ducks in a row and do everything you need to do to position yourself perfectly. You want to make yourself the most obvious, shoe-in choice!
 
And if you’d like a little help getting there, let’s talk.
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