This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Want a Raise? Four Questions You Should Ask Yourself

Conventional thinking amongst most workers suggests that raises should be based solely on merit and nothing else.  The process is a simple one: (1) your supervisor reviews your performance, (2) if you’re doing your job well, you get an increase in salary, (3) if your job performance is lacking, then your supervisor would provide you with suggestions for improvement.

 

Makes sense, right?  One would think so, but times have changed my friends. 

Find out what's happening in Gwinnettwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

 

Although national unemployment rates are the lowest they have been in a number of years, it is still a buyers’ market for many employers.  Given the plethora of workers from which they can choose, many employers are much less likely to give you a raise simply based on merit and job performance.  Another contributing factor is shrinking company profits.  Most employers are not giving raises these days because they have simply not turned enough of a profit to accommodate salary increases.

Find out what's happening in Gwinnettwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

 

With all of these seemingly insurmountable obstacles, how are you expected to get a raise these days?  The answers may be simpler than you think.  Before you approach your boss to ask for a raise, there are four vital questions you should ask yourself:

1.    Have you mastered the box you’re in?

2.    Do you believe in YOU?

3.    What special skills do you bring to the table that distinguishes you amongst your colleagues?

4.    How are you enhancing the bottom line?

Let’s take a look at Question #1.  Oftentimes the best way to get an increase in salary is to increase your job responsibilities or get a promotion.  One of the first things any employer will want to know before considering you for a promotion is “Have you mastered the box you’re in?”  To put it another way, if you’re not the completing your existing responsibilities well, why would any boss give you MORE responsibilities?  Seems simple, right?  Oddly enough most people don’t stop to consider this before asking for a promotion.  Traditional schools of thought have taught most people that simply serving time in a position warrants promotion.  NOT TRUE!!!  If you’re simply keeping time, waiting to be bumped up to the next level, you may be waiting forever in today’s market.  The best thing you can do is make a list of your current duties, explain how you’ve exceeded the minimum requirements for each one and describe how you have either improved a process or saved the company money.  This will impress even the most hardened supervisor.

Question #2 seems like a given, but for most employees it isn’t.  If asked, people generally believe they do a good job, but how do you define “good?”  If you define good as showing up to work, doing exactly what is expected of you and going home at exactly 5:00, then you are not doing a good job, you’re simply doing what you are paid to do…nothing more, nothing less.  What about that deserves a raise?  Absolutely nothing!  Now if you show up early, leave late and do more than what is required of you, then you are someone who takes pride in your work AND yourself as an employee.  Going the extra mile for your employer demonstrates dedication and a willingness to go above and beyond.  If you are not confident in your abilities, why would your boss be?  Developing the confidence to ask for more money has to be rooted in the belief that you are an exemplary employee and DESERVE to be compensated for it.  Without that knowledge, you have been defeated before you even walk into the room.

Question #3 is where things may get a little tricky and requires a little more effort on your part.  With the number of people available for work in today’s market, employees must have that little something extra to stand out from the crowd.  That something extra can be just about anything, but the most tangible is a certification from a professional association within your industry.  For example, if you are a project manager, it would be extremely beneficial to you, and by extension your employer, to have the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from the Project Management Institute (PMI).  Although the nature of the certification may not add to your technical body of knowledge, it demonstrates to your employer that you are interested in bolstering your existing skill set, which adds value to you and your company.  Are you a counselor or a therapist?  Consider continuing education in a specific area like Play Therapy or Art Therapy to help existing clients.  Having that something extra allows you to stand head and shoulders above your colleagues and further supports your case for a raise.

Of all the questions, number four is by far the most important to any employer.  Businesses exist to make money.  You may be the most altruistic person in the world, but guess what?  They don’t take good intentions at the supermarket.  They take cold hard cash and if you want your boss to put more of it in your pocket, then you must be able to show how you’re doing the same for the company.  The approach you choose to take here is wholly dependent on the type of position you have and the industry in which you’re employed.  If you are a salesperson, then your effect on the bottom line is more obvious.  If you are an administrative assistant, however, then it may not be as pronounced.  Let’s look at some specific examples.  If you are a customer service representative, you may be able to streamline a process that saves time, which translates into savings for your employer.  Take a moment and look at how you do your job.  Is there a way to save time?  A way to save money?  A way to better allocate resources?  In your discussion with your boss, bring these up.  There is nothing more desirable to a boss than an employee who provides viable solutions and not just problems.

There is just one more piece of advice before you take off to prepare your case for a raise.  Do not be afraid to take your boss’ temperature.  From time to time, it is always a good idea to schedule time with your boss to simply ask how you’re doing as an employee.  This will demonstrate to your boss your willingness to do more and you will be seen as a problem solver that wants to achieve optimal results.

Happy Hunting!!!

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?