As many of us prepare to stride into our manager’s office for our reviews, many will be angling for that all important pay rise. Life Coach Directory member Nadia Wyatt. has put together a ten-step guide on how to tackle what can often be seen as a difficult subject. Comment from Bill Richards, UK Managing Director – Indeed.
It comes as higher living expenses are driving almost half the British workforce to boost their income. Here are Nadia’s top ten tips:
Step 1. Know your target
Different employers respond to employees requesting a pay rise in different ways. Larger companies or those in the public sector will usually have set protocol and policies where reviews may only take place at certain times of the year or may be only related to performance.
Even smaller companies usually have one nominated person to deal with such matters. Find out the correct channels through which to apply or risk potential irritation by being off target at the outset. Timing is also important. The best time to ask for a pay rise is ‘after a good appraisal or when finishing a successful project’. And the worst? “In the appraisal itself. An appraisal is a springboard from which you justify a pay rise, not the arena where you ask for it.”
Step 2. Keep your boss onside
It’s good practice to let your immediate boss know your pay rise intentions. Keep them informed. By going behind their back or over their head will only alienate the very person whose views will be sought on improving your package.
Step 3. Get a job evaluation
If your employer has a policy of fixed salary grades, you’ll only succeed in achieving a pay rise if you can argue your job should be upgraded. Ask your HR department if they can carry out a job evaluation on your job.
Step 4. Know your worth
You’ll have a much stronger case if you conduct research on how your industry peers are paid. Check out salaries at recruitment fairs, job adverts and online salary surveys. Then, apply that knowledge to demonstrate evidence of your value to the organisations, linking it to cost saving and profit improvement in particular.
