How to ask for a raise
In some organisations, pay increases are tied automatically to levels and years of experience. In others, regular salary reviews are held with individual employees. Elsewhere, little will happen unless the employee takes the initiative. If you are in this position, and you want to remain with your existing employer, here is essential advice for getting that next pay increase - and the importance of preparation cannot be overstated...
1. Make sure you deserve it.
Are you really earning the money you currently receive? Do you work hard at your job? Do you carry your own weight in the organisation? How valuable are you to the firm? The first requirement in gaining a raise is to be worth more than you're earning now.
2. Keep tabs on your own performance.
Constantly monitor your performance, particularly in those areas your superiors view as important. Work hard to meet your bottom lines - your budget, your performance standards, your sales targets, your deadlines.
3. Keep a record of your achievements.
Particularly if you have no formal reporting requirement, record your accomplishments regularly. You will need these files later to help justify your case for a salary increase. Such records, of course, serve a double purpose: they are also vital for building your personal portfolio if you apply for another job in your organisation or elsewhere.
