Does your manager fail to notice your accomplishments at evaluation time? If so, it is because “managers are busy” says salary negotiation expert Josh Doody. In addition to managing people, managers are also responsible for running the business and making a profit. Many companies only consider giving employees raises during a focal or anniversary period which can be the most politically challenging time for an employee to ask for a raise.
The best way to get a raise or to maximize your salary is to start by doing your homework. Employees should start building their case for a raise 30-60 days before a review and make the process as easy as possible for a manager.
To build the best case when asking for a raise you should:
One: Have a target salary in mind which is based on your market value.
Two: Put a case together with proof you deserve what you are asking for.
- Ask for a specific raise amount.
- Outline the quantitative accomplishments since your current salary was set.
- Show which activities you have performed and the result they have made to move the business forward.
- Prepare a list of accolades or social proof from others who have recognized your work.
Three: Show how you are improving the company and how your results align with the goals of the business.
When building a case employees should not include reasons which do not carry a positive result for the business such as, buying a new house, kids in college, etc.
Remember to make the process as easy on your manager as possible!
Josh Doody Bio
Josh Doody is an author, consultant, MBA, and engineer who writes about salary negotiation, career management, business, job interviews, and self-publishing. He is the author of Fearless Salary Negotiation: A Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Paid What You’re Worth. His current focus is in reaching people directly through one-on-one coaching programs and his Free 7-day course on how to get promoted quickly. You can follow Josh on Twitter @JoshDoody.
Ben’s Job Search Resources:
Anyone can use Payscale.com to way to find out what jobs are worth based on job title, location, company and experience. Advantages to using the site are targeted salary research, such as, how your salary compares with others who have the same job title and nuanced information on how individual skills can affect your salary. It also includes a comprehensive compensation review so job perks can also be added to the equation. The site is user-data-driven so you may want to limit the amount of personal information you supply.
Jenna’s Find Your Dream Job Listener Question:
Ben, Jenna and Mac provide detailed, honest feedback Shannon Cleary’s situational question - “There is a philanthropic organization that I have applied to 2 jobs to over the last 10 months. I am about to apply for my third. After my last application, I had a phone interview. When I got the rejection email, I replied and asked for time to chat (with my interviewer) or suggestions for things to work on for my next application. I never heard back from her. So my questions: Should I reach out directly to her and ask for coffee again OR just send in my application as directed by the job post?”
If you would like the team to answer a job-related question, send it to jenna@macslist.org or call her at 716-JOB-TALK. Or if you found a job resource you think everyone should know about, send it to ben@macslist.org and tell him how it has helped you find your dream job.
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Opening and closing music for Find Your Dream Job provided by Freddy Trujillo, www.freddytrujillo.com.
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Find Your Dream Job: Insider Tips for Finding Work, Advancing your Career, and Loving Your Job