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Asking for a raise When, how, and how much?
You've been working at a place for a while and proving your
worth, and it's dawned on you that you should ask your boss
for a raise. There are right ways to do this and wrong ways.
Here are some things to consider.
The first thing you must ask yourself is do you deserve a
raise? Are you an asset to the company? Have you increased
profit turnovers? If you have answered yes to these than you
definitely deserve a pay rise.
Stay positive. Make sure you come up with a
good reason for asking for a raise. Perhaps you're working
harder than everyone else. Maybe you're bringing in more money
than others. A good reason for a raise does not include the
reason that "you've been there a long time." While time of
service is important, you need to prove your worth.
Timing
Think carefully first about when the best time is to approach
your boss. You don't want to ask for money the day after your
company is going through some downsizing. Wait for good news. If
you've recently had a run-in with your supervisor for one reason
or another, now is not the right time, either. You want to ask
for a raise when conditions are right both for your particular
situation and for the situation of your company. Try to strike
at a time when profits are up, or just after you've finished a
major project that made the department look good.
Approaching the subject
Have a basic plan ready. Focus on all your accomplishments, any
new business that you have brought to the company, how you've
made your department and, ideally, your boss, shine. Have you
put in a lot of over time? (we don`t mean the week before you
are about to ask for a raise).
Important
Your raises and promotions will come more quickly if actually
have a good track record and you've put in long hours and shown
the creativity that fuel raises.
The question of money
Take your time and do your research before you even think of
asking for a raise. The worse thing you can do is ask for an
unrealistic pay rise or worse still not know how much to ask
for.
Do your research
Research salary information. Find out how much other people in
your position would or do make. Know how much you should be
paid. If you can take any kind of documentation or maybe even a
quote in with you when you approach your boss for a raise, that
may prove helpful.
Tips
Check newspaper ads, the Internet or even the local Chamber of
Commerce, as well as simply talking to people to find out how
much you deserve to be earning.
Don`t sound desperate
You are asking for a raise so you think you deserve one. But
what ever you do don`t sound desperate. Be aggressive. When you
talk with your boss about a raise, talk as if you absolutely,
undoubtedly deserve the raise. Above all, never talk about any
debts that you have this will make you come across
unprofessional.
Most important
Don't use an ultimatum, unless you're prepared to follow
through. If you are going to say you'll quit if you don't get
the raise, be prepared to quit.
After compiling this information, research the occupations that
interest you. Determine what duties they entail, what
credentials they require, and what skills they use. Your CV will
use your autobiographical information to show that you meet an
occupation’s requirements. Remember: Even if you do not have
many specialised and technical skills, most occupations also
require abilities like reliability, teamwork, and communication.
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