Pay Rise

 How to Get a Pay Rise

The majority of us go to work to get paid. If you love your job, that's an added bonus. 

Being employed at the same company for an extended period of time can have it's perks. You begin to learn the in's and out’s of the company, gaining valuable experience.

Experience is great, but you will more than likely be focused on your pay. Once you have been with a company for an extended period, you may be thinking about a pay rise.

How do you get one? Well, there are some key components to be conscious of.

Assess Your Situation

There are various factors involved in a pay rise. Before you approach management, you should assess your situation.

Do you truly deserve a pay rise? Think about how long you have been at your current place of employment. For the work you do, do you think your pay is fair? We all want to make more, but this is not always realistic. Do you want a pay rise, or do you deserve one? If you truly deserve one, then proceed with your plans to ask for a rise.

Think about what you need. Instead of asking for a rise, maybe you should ask for items you need for work. For example, maybe you could ask for a company mobile. If you're making a lot of work calls, then this is a reasonable request. A company car is also something that may be discussed. 

Although you would not be getting a pay rise, gaining these items would help substantially.

Line of Action

If you have assessed your situation carefully, the next step is taking a course of action. So, what do you do in order to get your rise? Here are some tips to reach your goal.

Prepare Yourself: 

If you walk into your boss' office without preparing, you will be less successful. Preparation is key. Not only should you prepare what you'll say, but you should make a little extra effort prior to asking. Attend a seminar or two, help out employees, or take on a few extra tasks if possible. If your boss notices your extra efforts, they may be more inclined to agree with your pay rise pitch. 

Vital Points:

Make sure you've worked out the reasons you deserve a pay rise. If you go into your boss' office and complain that you can't afford your family holiday, they won't care. Although harsh, they probably won't care. They want to know how your efforts and future plans benefit them, and the company. Benefiting the company is the best way to get a pay rise. They will view you as valuable. Make a list of everything you have accomplished, that way it is all on the table. You may even discuss what you plan to offer in the near future.

Timing:

Be conscious of appropriate timing. If you have noticed that your boss is more stressed than normal, it probably isn't the best time. Timing is everything.

Be Realistic:

If your company is openly struggling, it will be better to wait. If you and everyone push for a raise, there may be no company left. That means your job could go down with the company. Your pay will go straight to zero. Also, be realistic with your offer. Don't go into your boss' office and ask for something ridiculous.

Check Out Your Company: 

Each company has different policies, it's important to know what these are. Perhaps the company is supposed to assess the employees pay each year. If you have done an excellent job, you should be getting a rise.

Do Your Research: 

Why not check out similar positions? Research what other people are making within your industry. If your pay is far from the norm, then of course you have reason to approach your boss.

Be Specific: 

Don't go into your boss' office and simply state that you want a rise. Be specific, exactly how much more are you looking for? Express your thoughts, then wait for a response. If they say no, don't take it personally. Don't get upset, that will make things worse for you. Respectfully ask what you can do different to achieve a pay rise. That way you have something to work towards. However, if you're a star employee then you should ask again in the near future. If they still deny you a rise, you may want to consider looking into a new job. If they say yes, thank them. As well, hold them to it. If weeks go by and nothing has changed, bring up your previous discussion. Ask when the changes will be made.

As you can see, there are right ways to approach a pay rise. The core concepts are; preparation, practicality, and persistence. 

If you follow these concepts in a professional manner, you will more than likely be successful.