Increasing your chances of getting a decent raise.
By Times Staff Writer
Published June 1, 2003
We're in a down economy. Many companies, particularly those in hard-hit industries, are freezing or reducing salaries. Even if you work for a company that isn't taking such draconian steps, you may receive a lower percentage-point raise than you got in the 1990s. That said, you may be able to avoid such scenarios if you make an effort to distinguish yourself.
1. Face the not-so-fair facts. In this environment, being a loyal, solid performer may not be enough to ensure a decent annual raise. Note that employees who have changed jobs at least once in the past decade typically make more money than fellow employees who have stayed with the same company without entertaining offers from other employers.
2. Set yourself apart. Take the initiative to learn new skills and assume added responsibilities without being asked to do so. Such steps could distinguish you among your peers and put you in line for a higher level of compensation.
3. Know the drill when it comes to annual reviews. Most bosses hate doing them because it takes a lot of time and energy to do them right. Because of time constraints, your boss may crank out your review as quickly as possible and be done with it.
4. Make the process easier for your boss. To affect the content of your review and hopefully prevent it from being merely cursory, offer to write up a memo or an e-mail message outlining your key accomplishments over the past year. Tailor what you write to fit the review form used at your company.
5. Just say no to procrastination. It could be risky to wait until a few weeks before your review date to offer to write something up. That's because raises may be decided weeks or months earlier when budgets are being prepared.
6. Be visible. Even if it makes you uncomfortable, it's important to find ways to let the right people know what a good job you're doing. After all, you can't expect your boss or bosses to know every single thing you're accomplishing on a daily basis.
7. Before calling attention to yourself, be sure you're actually working hard and doing a truly stellar job. Like it or not, this almost always involves making your boss look good by adopting his or her priorities as your own.
8. Avoid bragging. No one likes a suck-up. To get proper credit for your hard work throughout the year without alienating anyone, including your boss, find casual ways to call or drop by when something good happens and let him or her know about it.
9. Use e-mail effectively. One potentially discreet and positive way to let people know about key successes is to send out an e-mail message praising your subordinates for a job well done. Copy your boss or bosses on that message.
10. Understand the leverage you could have. Even in a slumping economy, many companies are willing to go to significant lengths to keep top-notch employees, mainly because it costs too much to replace good people. Be the kind of worker your employer would want to keep.
