Getting A Raise

Make The First Move. Don't wait for someone else to tell you what to do. Upper management admires an individual who takes initiative. Develop your individual talents. Educate yourself with new skills and knowledge. Show them that you are a real "go getter."

WHAT YOU NEED TO GET THAT RAISE

• Make Quick Decisions: Teach yourself to make quick, intelligent decisions. Being indecisive will hurt you. Anyone can make good, quick decisions--it is just a matter of training yourself. Intuitive instincts must be developed.

  Seek More Responsibility: Take on the tougher assignments. Actively seek more difficult work with added responsibility. Take on all the responsibility you can handle. Try to take the added responsibilities in addition to your assigned work, The greater your responsibilities, the more you are an asset to management.

  Increase Your Interests: The more you know, the more valuable you are to the company you work for. Go to night classes or just read books that will give you that added education. Increase your interest in things that will help your company. Specializing in as many things as you can will help you move up in a company.

  Take The Risk: Nothing comes easily. Moving up in a company is going to be hard but rewarding. If you expect to move up, you must take chances. It is the little risks in life that give us the most advancement. If you don't stick your neck out, your chances of moving up are slim.

  Know Your Company: Find out everything you can about the company you work for. Understand and know your company. Study and learn the jobs of your fellow workers. Understand what they do and why they do it. Always try to increase your knowledge.

  Know Your Boss: Find out what type of qualities your boss and upper management are looking for in employees. Try to develop those qualities.

  Be Good At Your Job: Management always admires people who are efficient at their job. Keep the highest possible level of production and quality every day. Be so good at your job that you can do it without close supervision. Don't fool around on the job, regardless of what other employees do.

  Know Your Goal: You Should know exactly what position you want. Be the person they want if you want that position. Make sure you can do all that is required.

  Devote Yourself To Your Company: You should have a strong sense of loyalty and devotion toward your company. Show the company that you care about its well being. Don't disagree with company policies. Even if you disagree with them, obey them. The best that you can do is to agree with the policies and tell management diplomatically how you feel about them.

  Be Reliable: Being reliable is very important. A company wants to fell secure with your contribution to the company. Don't be late or absent from work without a very good reason.

  Make Sure Your Accomplishments Are Seen: There is nothing wrong with letting others know what you have accomplished, as long as long as you don't brag. If the opportunity arises for recognition, take it. Make sure others know what you have done. A good suggestion is to jot down your accomplishments in a dairy. When you asks for raise, refer to your dairy. Keep all your recommendations and awards in a file.

  Be A Problem-Solver: Look for problems in your company. Devise practical and intelligent solutions to these problems. Bring the problem to the attention of your boss only after you have solved it and have all the details of the solution.

  After-Work Activities: If overtime work is needed, don't ever decline or avoid it. Volunteer for committees, and then work hard for them so they meet their objectives.

  Voice Your Opinion: When you speak up, make sure that your opinion is well thought out. Don't whine to your boss. Talk things out with him/her. Tell him/her what you have to say and then listen to him/her. Speak to your boss loudly, clearly and specifically. Don't voice a vague opinion--tell him/her in specific terms exactly what is bothering you.

  Ask For A Raise: When you feel you are ready for a raise and you have fulfilled all the requirements I have pointed out, ask for one.

  • HOW TO GET A RAISE

  Know Company Policies: Understand your company's policy on salaries and raises. You may have to be with the company a specified length of time to get a raise. Find out how long and act at the right time. If you are getting the maximum salary for your position, you may ask for a promotion or a re-classification. Do everything you can after studying the company policy book.

  Know The Decision-Maker: You have to convince the person who has the authority to give raises that you deserve one. If that person is above your boss, prepare to convince your boss and his superiors that you deserve a raise.

  Do You Deserve A Raise? You must find out if you deserve a raise. Only after you are sure you deserve one will others be sure you do. Rate yourself. Try to look at yourself through your boss's and your fellow workers' eyes. Do they think you deserve a raise?

  How To Justify A Raise: Tell them about your accomplishments that helped the company. Show them how much you saved the company through your actions. Get to know what your skills are worth for another company in the same area. Present your company with that information. Present it to them in a very non-agressive manner. tell the company what you will be able to do for them in the future. Tell them how you will benefit the company with your new raise. Tell them how your value has increased since you have been with the company. Don't mention anything about your personal needs for the money.

  Be Able To Handle Rejection: If you are rejected for a raise, be able to cope with it. Deal with the rejection before you ask your boss for a raise so you will know how to handle the situation. Remember, expect the best prepare for the worst.

  Know What You Want: Before you speak to your boss know exactly how much more money you expect, both in terms of dollars and percentage. If you know your boss will negotiate with you, ask for more than you actually want. In this way you will get what you want or more.

  When Should You Ask For A Raise? Make an appointment with your boss. Don't ask him/her for a raise as he is passing in the hallway. Don't ask to see your boss on busy Mondays or Fridays.

  Be Prepared For Criticism: You may be criticized for not performing "up to par" now. Don't let this criticism upset you, let it help you. You can learn from this criticism by asking for more feedback from your boss. Ask your boss how you can improve yourself. Ask him/her for suggestions. Always be willing to negotiate with your boss. He may only give you a bonus instead of a raise. Take it and ask for a raise later.

  Handling Your Boss's feedback: Get an immediate answer from your boss if he has the power to give you the raise. If he can't give the answer to you now, ask him/her when he/she can. If he/she tells you he/she can't give you a raise ask him/her why. Ask him/her what would be required from you before you got a raise.Listen to his/her suggestions, what needs improvement, etc. Do what he/she tells you to do for a raise and, when you have satisfied his/her needs, ask him/her again. If you plan to quit if you don't get a raise, don't threaten your boss. You want your boss's good reference later if and when you do quit.