Tips and Tricks to Get a Raise
7 December 2009
Read by 2392 persons
Five tips to get a salary increase.
1. Wait for the right time
Laurent, a developer in a Parisian web agency, is adamant. "Waiting for the right time is 80% of it," he summarizes frankly. "There's no point in going to your boss's office the day the company just lost a big contract, at 7:30 pm after a marathon day, or at 8:00 am on a Monday morning. It's like shooting yourself in the foot." This is confirmed by Guillaume Taton, Sales Manager of a Canadian software company, who regularly approaches his superior after "good news" for the company: signing an important contract, completing a large project, or after a lucrative sale. "It works almost every time," he rejoices. To achieve this, it is also important to present yourself at the opportune moment. There's no point in showing up six months after being recruited. It's wise to be patient and wait for a change to occur before making your move (new position, new mission...). Another opportunity: the year-end review, unless company rules formally prohibit it.
2. Base your argument on objective facts
"To get a raise, you need to know how to sell yourself well. How? By pleasing your boss, that is, by meeting their expectations, adopting a proactive behavior, and achieving high performance throughout the year. In principle, if you follow this scenario, a raise is on the way," summarizes coach Frédéric Adida. Performance means tangible and measurable proof. "Every time I make a request, I remind my superior of the actions I've taken that have benefited the company during the year - sales, added value, additional revenue, development of new markets - either in the form of an email or a PowerPoint presentation," explains Guillaume Taton.
3. The amount to request
According to experts, a 10% salary increase is considered "reasonable." However, a mid-career increase will never make up for a bad start. "The employee who initially undersells themselves will find it difficult to close the gap," explains Jean-Louis Müller, director at Cegos. "I always ask for +20% or +30%," says Laurent the web developer. "Daring, provided you can present arguments to support your request, shows self-confidence and character. If your boss is opposed to the idea of a raise from the start, asking for +10% or +50% won't change anything. However, if they are open from the start, since there will be negotiation, it's better not to start too low."
4. Schedule a meeting
If the requested increase is not obtained and the superior proposes a period of reflection, it is important not to leave their office without setting another meeting. "If there is a categorical refusal for a raise, lay the groundwork for a potential future raise. And be firm when the time comes!" confirms Frédéric Adida. In case of categorical refusal, it is advisable to ask yourself some questions: "Would I have more elsewhere?", "Am I in the right place here?" While waiting for brighter prospects, it may be possible to negotiate an exceptional bonus. A kind of consolation prize. Something is always better than nothing.
5. Relaxed but determined
There's no need to show up with a knot in your throat or trembling in front of your superior if you want to succeed. "I always tell myself that it's all a game, that real life is elsewhere, and that my boss doesn't want to work with anxious employees. So I stay zen," says Julie, a human resources consultant in Paris, even though, and this is not necessarily contradictory, reminds Jean-Louis Müller with sound common sense, "those who succeed are those who ask, those who insist. In short, the annoying ones..."
Eric Delon
Posted on December 24, 2008
lexpansion.com
Laurent, a developer in a Parisian web agency, is adamant. "Waiting for the right time is 80% of it," he summarizes frankly. "There's no point in going to your boss's office the day the company just lost a big contract, at 7:30 pm after a marathon day, or at 8:00 am on a Monday morning. It's like shooting yourself in the foot." This is confirmed by Guillaume Taton, Sales Manager of a Canadian software company, who regularly approaches his superior after "good news" for the company: signing an important contract, completing a large project, or after a lucrative sale. "It works almost every time," he rejoices. To achieve this, it is also important to present yourself at the opportune moment. There's no point in showing up six months after being recruited. It's wise to be patient and wait for a change to occur before making your move (new position, new mission...). Another opportunity: the year-end review, unless company rules formally prohibit it.
2. Base your argument on objective facts
"To get a raise, you need to know how to sell yourself well. How? By pleasing your boss, that is, by meeting their expectations, adopting a proactive behavior, and achieving high performance throughout the year. In principle, if you follow this scenario, a raise is on the way," summarizes coach Frédéric Adida. Performance means tangible and measurable proof. "Every time I make a request, I remind my superior of the actions I've taken that have benefited the company during the year - sales, added value, additional revenue, development of new markets - either in the form of an email or a PowerPoint presentation," explains Guillaume Taton.
3. The amount to request
According to experts, a 10% salary increase is considered "reasonable." However, a mid-career increase will never make up for a bad start. "The employee who initially undersells themselves will find it difficult to close the gap," explains Jean-Louis Müller, director at Cegos. "I always ask for +20% or +30%," says Laurent the web developer. "Daring, provided you can present arguments to support your request, shows self-confidence and character. If your boss is opposed to the idea of a raise from the start, asking for +10% or +50% won't change anything. However, if they are open from the start, since there will be negotiation, it's better not to start too low."
4. Schedule a meeting
If the requested increase is not obtained and the superior proposes a period of reflection, it is important not to leave their office without setting another meeting. "If there is a categorical refusal for a raise, lay the groundwork for a potential future raise. And be firm when the time comes!" confirms Frédéric Adida. In case of categorical refusal, it is advisable to ask yourself some questions: "Would I have more elsewhere?", "Am I in the right place here?" While waiting for brighter prospects, it may be possible to negotiate an exceptional bonus. A kind of consolation prize. Something is always better than nothing.
5. Relaxed but determined
There's no need to show up with a knot in your throat or trembling in front of your superior if you want to succeed. "I always tell myself that it's all a game, that real life is elsewhere, and that my boss doesn't want to work with anxious employees. So I stay zen," says Julie, a human resources consultant in Paris, even though, and this is not necessarily contradictory, reminds Jean-Louis Müller with sound common sense, "those who succeed are those who ask, those who insist. In short, the annoying ones..."
Eric Delon
Posted on December 24, 2008
lexpansion.com
