My Suggestions For Individual and Professional Growth
Joe M posted in opinion on July 24th, 2008
Lifehack.org has an article on How to Ask for a Raise.
The points are simple but strong.
Preparing yourself for such a task is not easy.
It’s a matter of the disposition and atmosphere you create for yourself and your coworkers.
I would classify this as your individual growth.
My recommendations are as follows:
1. Always pretend that someone is watching you. Act as if your boss and someone from HR are always standing behind you. (In essence, they are.)
2. Always demonstrate an aptitude beyond your current job description. If you don’t know how to do something, ask someone and take notes when you get the answer. Many times this compliments the person you are asking, and gives them a better impression of you. If you encounter someone that does not want to share information, for one reason or another, treat them with courtesy and respect and move on.
3. Always keep an active interest in others. Follow-up with others when you help them. Find out the outcome of projects and tasks for which they have asked for your help. Encourage small talk, but keep the conversation professional and the questions from a probing nature.
4. Challenge yourself to learn more on a daily basis. This could be as simple as looking up new words in a dictionary, or as complex as learning project management.
5. Formulate alternatives to real scenarios for which you do not have impact or input. Chances are, you may wind up getting a chance to share your ideas. It never hurts to have a plan ready, if you get the opportunity. Wait for the right time to share your ideas. Nothing will turn others off to your ideas if they get the impression that you are simply strongly opinionated. Be ready and liberal enough to accept disagreement, should the conversation not go like you planned.
6. Treat everyone with respect and decency. You never know when the Administrative Assistant or the Project Manager is going to get a chance to share their thoughts about your abilities and activities to someone in your ‘chain of command.’ Make sure they have a positive impression to share.
7. Stretch your skillset. Learn about topics beyond your realm. If you are in IT, read-up on Project Management. If you are in Project Management, familiarize yourself with current trends in IT.
8. Learn more about your company, and learn about your company’s competitors. Watch the market and services. Find out demographic information and projected or predicted forecasts. Knowing how your company’s stock is performing (for a publicly traded company) can also be a great indicator for the time to ask for a raise.
9. Always keep your temper in check. This goes hand-in-hand with #6. Blowing your top will not get your point across, and will do more damage than good. I have never seen someone blow-up and not be haunted by the ordeal, later, in some way.
10. Offer assistance in tasks not associated with your job description. Job Descriptions are flawed. Evaluations usually are, as well. If everyone sticks to their job description, not much gets done. If your evaluation contains the words, “goes above and beyond,” or “really cares about the company,” that will put you in a much better professional disposition.
The atmosphere in which to ask for a raise has to be right.
Following the above suggestions will not hurt you, even if your company is making cutbacks. If that is the case, following the suggestions may mean the difference between being expendable and necessary.
The main thing to remember, the gyst is to remain above reproach. Don’t give anyone an observation or an excuse to perceive you in an unprofessional light.