Top tips for securing a pay rise from your boss
IT IS a question many people have given some thought to – how do I get a pay rise? Do I just ask outright for one and expect a positive response? Well, unfortunately, it isn’t quite that simple.
The secret, according to careers expert Aimee Bateman, lies with a more considered approach – and one you’ll have to spend a long time planning.
The Cardiff-based entrepreneur has worked for some of the UK’s largest recruitment companies and now runs the award-winning consultancy careers website, Careercake. com.
Ahead of her guest speech at the WalesOnline Digital Awards 2018 in June, Ms Bateman shared some of the secrets from her online courses with the Western Mail in the buildup to the event.
“In a nutshell, it’s a process not a conversation. I advise people to start planning the ‘ask’ about three months prior to the conversation,” she said.
“When you ask for something, you have to sell the benefit to the person giving – too many people ask for a pay rise and forget this bit.”
Ms Bateman added that, while employers expect to have these conversations with employees, and that employees shouldn’t be afraid to ask for more money, they have to build a strong argument before they start the conversation.
Ms Bateman said: “Don’t ask for a pay rise and justify it because other companies pay that (go work there then), or you have to send your child to private school (not their problem) or your partner lost their job (again, not their responsibly).
“I know all that sounds harsh, but you have to put together a business case, showcasing your achievements and the benefit to the company for this increase.
“Sometimes employers want to give you a pay rise, but they can’t.
“Maybe you could negotiate other benefits such as a work-from-home day once a month or extra annual leave.”
Hard work pays off, and another way to increase your pay is to climb the career ladder.
Aimee’s advice for getting noticed when those opportunities arise is to “focus on relationships”.
She added: “Ensure people around you feel seen, heard and valued, people more junior, senior and your peers. Focus on the relationships, the people behind the job titles and the opportunities will come.”
Ms Bateman is this year’s guest speaker at the WalesOnline Digital Awards, sponsored by Innovation Point.
Now in their second year, the awards will recognise businesses and entrepreneurs making an outstanding contribution to the sector.
In total there are 12 categories, for which sponsorship opportunities are still available, including Best Digital Start-Up, Digital Entrepreneur of the Year and Digital Ambassador of the Year.
Nominations are open until April 27 – and you can find the entry form for each of the categories here.
The categories are:
■ Best Digital Innovation, sponsored by Innovation Point;
■ Best Digital Marketing Communication, sponsored by Superfast Business Wales;
■ Young Digital Person of the Year, sponsored by Bridgend College;
■ Digital Ambassador of the Year;
■ Best Mobile App;
■ Best Digital Start Up;
■ Best Use of technology within Education;
■ Best e-Commerce;
■ Digital Entrepreneur of the Year;
■ Best Woman in Technology;
■ Best Global Reach; and
■ Best Emerging Technology. The category finalists will be revealed on May 9.
The winners will be revealed at the WalesOnline Digital Awards 2018, hosted by Frances Donovan, on June 8 at the Marriott Hotel in Cardiff.
■ For more information on sponsorship opportunities, contact Mark Oakman at mark.oakman@ mediawales.co.uk. For tickets for the awards ceremony contact Isabel Goodman at isabel.goodman@ mediawales.co.uk or phone 01792 545511.