Asking for a Raise or Promotion

Asking for a raise or promotion can be at the time…challenging. However, sometimes it is very necessary to speak with your supervisor about taking your career to the next level. While nothing is ever a sure-fire guarantee, especially when it comes to salary raises or promotions, here are some tips that will help you feel more prepared:

Schedule an appropriate time and place to speak with your supervisor: Asking for a raise or promotion is a sensitive subject. Make sure you schedule a special time to speak with your supervisor about it (as opposed to bringing it up in passing or as part of another conversation). As best you can, schedule the meeting for a time you know is not particularly busy or stressful for either you or your supervisor, or directly after your company has taken a financial hit. Make sure the conversation takes places in a private space or office where others who are not involved cannot overhear you.

Prepare a Status Report or List of Your Accomplishments for the Organization: It’s always best to be fully equipped with all of the projects and incentives you’ve accomplished for your organization, as well as any numbers on how much income you or the department you manage have produced for the company. Create a detailed document of your accomplishments, become familiar with it, and bring it to your meeting with your supervisor.

Develop a Game Plan: Often times, an organization would like to give valued employees the raise or promotion they deserve, however the timing is not right. If your supervisor indicates that this is the case, develop a plan with her so that you have a clear timeline with goals and objectives, and set a date for a future meeting where your progress can be reviewed and the next steps can be taken. Be open to any suggestions your supervisor makes about how you can improve at your job, and be prepared to put them into practice.

Don’t Lose Your Cool: If the outcome of the meeting is not as you might have hoped, no matter how upset you are, do not lose your cool in the conversation. Take deep breathes, and begin to strategize around your next steps.

Joanna