Trying to raise the point to an employer that you are deserving of an increase in salary can be a nervous experience for employees.  However if you feel that your salary is below market value then allow yourself the best possible opportunity to underpin your credentials by being  be prepared with the following list of items for when the time comes to discuss the issue with your boss.

1. A salary survey.

It is important that you do not come across as being greedy during a salary review instead explain to your boss in a friendly manner” in my research other candidates in the industry with the same amount of experience are earning 10% above my current salary so I would seek an increase to reflect my true worth to the company.” Your boss will be impressed that you have researched the marketplace and have put across reasonable logic for your requested raise.

2. Job specs off job-sites.

Similarly to the salary survey if your boss queries why you seek a certain amount you can produce job specs from job sites for jobs that mirror your experience and have higher salaries than your own. Explain to your boss that “while I am very happy here, in advance of this meeting, I researched open jobs that seek candidates with my experience and found that the salaries advertised to be considerably higher than mine.” Your manager will appreciate your reasons for seeking an increase and should reward you rather than fear losing you to the jobs that you have found.

3. Talk about the impact of your achievements in the company.

A salary review is time for you to not only talk about the targets you have reached or milestones reached it is about the overall impact those achievements had on the company. When discussing your achievements do so in a modest fashion rather than with a cocky attitude. A good example of the type of statement that would benefit your cause would be, “the project of which I was manager finished on time, within budget and to the clients satisfaction. This project is worth $50k and given the relationship that I have fostered with the client I am confident of regular future business with them, and that is why I am seeking a 10% salary increase.”

It is worth bearing in mind that you should not go into your review meeting and put the salary survey and job specs on the table, just keep them in your jacket pocket until you feel the need to introduce them, you may be pleasantly surprised your boss may have been planning to give you a raise anyway.

Issues To Consider Before Deciding To Change Your Job.

Changing jobs is an important decision, so careful consideration should be taken into understanding the root cause of your unhappiness and see if they can be resolved. You should make a list of the reasons why you want to change jobs and sort them in order of importance. Examples of some of the main reasons employees look to move to a new job are outlined below along with tips to overcoming the obstacles.

1. You are considering leaving because you want more money.

This is straight-forward enough, if you like your job but feel that you are being paid below your worth then arrange a meeting with your manager and HR to discuss the problem. Come prepared with examples of your work and salary-surveys that will help back-up your claim. Be reasonable and see if a mutually happy agreement can be agreed upon, if not then it will probably reaffirm your decision to seek pastures new.

2. You are considering leaving because of the commute to work.

The balancing act of career and family- life can be a tricky one, if there is an hour or two added to your journey each day it makes it an even trickier balancing act. Employers are not unsympathetic to this so before making the final decision to move, arrange a meeting with your boss to try and work-out a compromise. Again depending on your job you may be allowed work from home a couple of days a week or be given the opportunity to flexible working-hours to help avoid traffic congestion at peak-times.

3. You are considering leaving because you were overlooked for a promotion.

Arrange a meeting with your manager to discuss the reasons why you did not get the job. Do not be confrontational, instead ask the manager where he/she sees your future in the company. The feedback you get from him/her will give you a strong indication of where your future lies.

If you are steadfast in your decision to leave then make sure you have a job to walk into once you finish your notice-period. In the current economic climate job-openings are at a premium so make sure you’re leaving your current company for the right reasons as opposed to obstacles that can be overcome.

Salary Negotiation Tips For An Annual Review

Most employees have yearly salary review meetings, these meetings provide the ideal opportunity for you to gain an increase in salary, just knowing how to do it is the important part. Don’t treat the meeting like an informal chat with a colleague, you should prepare for an annual review meeting with the same professionalism as you would with your first interview. Your preparation should begin by absorbing the 4 points of advice below to help you be best prepared for your review.

Explain why you are worth the increase you seek.
-provide a dossier of information for the HR Manager this pack allows him/her to “visualize” your achievements, if sales are up 25% since you joined the sales team show him/her the figures, likewise if costs have been curtailed thanks to your input then the HR Manager needs to know this.

Describe why you feel you are being underpaid.
-provide examples from salary surveys (bring them with you) and explain that with your experience you feel you are worth more.

Have a Plan B ready.
-if your request is met with a “I’m really sorry but we have a pay freeze at present” response then look towards other perks until the freeze is lifted. These perks could include, a reduction in your hours, extra vacation days etc. You should also ask to have your review meeting again once the freeze on pay is lifted, otherwise you could be waiting another 12 months for your next salary review.

Outline your future plans.
-this is a great way to help with your salary review, explain what your future plans are regarding your role in the company (for example- ways to gain more sales,how to win more customers etc.), this display of forward-planning will be looked upon favorably by the HR Manager.

Be prepared for questions on your performance over the last 12 months and no matter how frustrated you get, remember how important it is to maintain a friendly demeanor throughout your meeting. Not everyone gets a salary increase at these meetings, but you would be doing yourself a disservice if you didn’t prepare yourself to the best of your ability and approached these meetings in a confident manner.