When to ask for promotion, salary increment

Company policies vary when it comes to promotion and pay increase for the workers. Some businesses automatically conduct performance reviews and pay evaluation on an annual or bi-annual basis, while others may not have any type of system in place. If you think you’ve earned a promotion or a pay increase, take the initiative to ask for one, ADEMOLA ALAWIYE writes

Many employees find asking for a salary increase or a promotion to be one of the most difficult and uncomfortable aspects of career advancement. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be that way, and many employers and supervisors see it as a sign of confidence and initiative to make such a request. It is important, however, that you go about making your request in the most professional, effective manner possible.

To prove you deserve a raise or promotion, you will need to have demonstrated your commitment to the company, and must have worked at the same salary or in the same position for a reasonable period of time – at least a year – and be able to present factual information based on your continued exceptional performance and achievements.

Experts say you need to get yourself into the habit of recognising when you have been doing a good job for an extended period. According to them, this is the classic signal that you’re ready for a promotion, a pay increase, or both.

Experts say anyone demanding a pay rise should learn the etiquette of pay talk on the job before getting into the habit of asking for what is deserved.

Ensure there’s an opening

Determine if there is an opening in the company you are qualified to fill before asking for a promotion and/or a raise. Most employees would like to be promoted; however, there isn’t always room for them to move up. Do your homework on the position and talk to others who have held similar positions before, either in your company or other companies.

Outline a promotion and salary increase

The Chief Executive Officer, Jade Consultancy, Mrs. Jadesola Akinola, says, “Frame a promotion and pay rise request in a way that benefits the company. Rather than telling your supervisor that you would really like to be promoted or could really appreciate a pay increase, tell him how you can help the company by filling the position you are asking to be promoted to.” Framing your request in this way, according to Akinola, helps you to come across as altruistic and shows the company that in a way, you are willing to help them.

Talk to your supervisor

Schedule a meeting with your supervisor or the relevant decision maker to discuss your request. You want to have enough private time to discuss your promotion and raise without interruption. A half hour to an hour should be enough time to have the discussion. Be sure to dress appropriately and come prepared to the meeting. Consider it a second interview at the same company.

Be confident and persistent

Human resource expert, Mrs. Adeoye Akande, says, “Don’t be surprised or discouraged if you don’t get a positive answer immediately. Particularly in a difficult economic environment, personnel changes and pay increases can be tough choices for a manager, and your superior may need some time to think about your proposal.

“Don’t be afraid to bring up the subject again a couple of days or a week after initially suggesting it, but also be careful to avoid badgering your superior about the subject if he definitively tells you no or is genuinely not ready to make a decision.”

Experts say there are questions the employee needs to ask himself before meeting the company for a pay rise or promotion.

Do you deserve it?

First, you need to be able to explain the logic behind the hunch that says you’re ready for more. Akinola says, “You need evidence to show your manager that you deserve it. No one is paying closer attention to your work than you are. What have you done for your company lately? The company wants to know. One way to document your contribution to your company is to keep a job diary. Every week, or even every day, write down what you did and how it helped to meet the company’s objectives.

“Keep lists or spreadsheets, because managers like to count things. Remember that attributes such as positive attitude, willingness to put in overtime, and quality of work, are essential. Include a few good stories about your work in the diary to illustrate what you added.”

From all this documentation you should be able to create a list of several compelling reasons why you deserve a pay increase.

How often can you ask for an increase or promotion?

You probably get a performance review once a year or once every six months. Companies often schedule salary reviews to coincide with these performance reviews. If you work for a company that has been around for a while, you might have to wait a year before your first salary review. But if you work at a start-up and cash is tight at the beginning, you might be able to get a performance review after working there for three or six months, or after a significant round of financing. If it has been more than a year since your last pay increase, it is probably time to ask for a raise.

Akande says, “A promotion usually accompanied by a raise acknowledges that you are ready for additional responsibilities. Even without a pay increase, a promotion can help to further your career by signalling to future employers how your career has progressed.”

How much should you ask for?

As with any negotiation, you should know what you’re worth before you ask for more. Find out the market range for your job by doing a research, then consider where you should fall within that range given your skills and accomplishments.

Akinola says, “It is not unheard of for a company to adjust a salary considerably when presented with better information about the value of a job. But some companies offer only modest increases, even for outstanding performance. Use the human resources office to find out about what types of raises are customary. Just don’t ask your co-workers what they are earning.”

Experts, however, say a cost-of-living increase that keeps pace with inflation is not a real raise. “If inflation is four per cent and your raise is four per cent, you are just staying even,” Akinola adds.

Copyright PUNCH