6 Ways to get a pay increase

By Jane Kennelly, Frog Recruitment

Money might not always buy happiness but it does help buy everything else. Yet unless you are Cuba Gooding Jr. yelling down the phone to Tom Cruise, for most people it can be a daunting thing to ask for more money. If you can pluck up the courage and follow a few simple steps it could be well worth your while. Here are 6 steps for negotiating that pay rise.

1 Show your value
It’s not a matter of just asking or demanding. It is more a matter of showing that you deserve a pay rise. This is where you emphasise the value you add to the organisation.

Assess what you have been doing. – have you:

• Earned extra revenue for the company /saved the company dollars?
• Received great customer feedback?
• Met tight deadlines?
• Suggested solutions or improvements?
• Demonstrated you have used your initiative or worked extra hours voluntarily?

Make sure you prepare well and have your facts ready.

2 Bump up your value

Look to ‘beef up’ your job by taking on more. By adding more responsibility you are positioning yourself for an increase. What else could you add to your role? If you do not understand the organisation’s method of awarding pay increases, discuss this with your boss. Pay is normally linked to performance, which allows the company to increase your grade, or promote you, or to award a bonus.

3 Be reasonable about your value
It’s a good idea to have a reasonable figure in mind. Companies are still under pressure so make sure the figure you are thinking about is fair. Check with agencies to gain market information to help you or look at recent on-line salary surveys. Also be realistic about your value and be open to things that you can do better.

4 Stick to the facts and figures
Keep emotions out of the picture – its best to be prepared and deal with the facts.Personal opinions about job-load and worth can be very subjective and need to be validated before you (or anyone else) to
decide the true value. Keep things objective and measure your worth against the real market. Look at other similar jobs outside as well as inside the company and compare them to your own responsibilities and rewards.

5 Hold the bluff
This follows on nicely from keeping emotions out of the picture. Don’t threaten to quit on the spot. This could end badly. You can always decide what you might want to do in your own good time. Perhaps if turned down, ask what you need to do to increase your salary – what advice do they have for you?

6 Go face to face
Ideally the best way to tackle the subject is in a meeting. A meeting means two-way communication that will allow you to present your case answer questions and overcome objections on the spot. When you request the meeting it would be wise to let your employer or manager know the nature of the discussion.

Asking for a pay raise might not be easy for you just as it isn’t for most. Even when you muster the courage, there are no ‘magic pills’ that will guarantee your success – but by being prepared and conducting the process in a professional manner, you will most certainly dramatically increase your chances.