It’s a great time to ask for a raise, promotion
If there was ever a good time to ask for a raise, that time is now. As companies struggle to hire employees, workers who currently hold jobs can take advantage of the current situation by subtly reminding their bosses that they have options — lots and lots of options.
Sandra Naiman, author of “The High Achiever’s Secret Codebook: The Unwritten Rules for Success at Work” (Jist, $14.95), suggests setting an appointment with the appropriate people and letting them know ahead of time what you want to discuss. Be prepared with a chronicle of your accomplishments and give concrete examples of how you’ve already demonstrated you’re competent to take on the next level.
Next, focus on the needs of the company and how much you will contribute in the future.
“Share ideas and let your enthusiasm show,” Naiman says. “Show that you are excited about the work, not the money and status.”
Naiman believes you should start asking for a promotion to the next level when you take a job at your current level. She outlines the following steps to getting a promotion or a raise:
● Establish a reputation for doing quality work and being cooperative, a team player and pleasant to work with.
● Engage with people at all levels of the organization because you never know who might be a champion for you when you need that extra boost.
● Develop yourself for the next job. Once you set your sights on a promotion, ideally long before you are ready to ask for it, observe the job and the competencies required to do it well. Take advantage of any and all developmental opportunities, including on-the-job.
● Display your accomplishments and
contributions without turning people off. Let people know what you can do without appearing to be self-promoting. Ask for advice about a project or problem
that allows you to demonstrate what you already know. You can also offer support and advice to others.
● Build buzz among your peers and managers. It is usually not wise to directly ask others to blow your horn for you, but by developing solid relationships and going out of your way to help people, you increase the likelihood that they will talk about you and your abilities.
● Do the work. Be careful not to step on any professional toes, but be alert to opportunities to demonstrate you can do the job. Perhaps you can lead a special project or support your boss in writing a proposal.