Five steps to getting a pay rise

Here are the five things your boss wants to see before you book a meeting to ask for a pay rise.

Asking for a pay rise requires a long-term plan from the worker – it’s not just a matter of walking in and saying you deserve one. It’s not enough to say you want more money because you work longer hours than anyone else.

You need to establish the reasons you are worthy including taking on delivering extra work and proving yourself in your role. Once you have prepared all your evidence, then is the time to meet with your boss.

Amanda Rose, CEO and founder of Western Sydney Business Women. Picture: Toby Zerna

To guide you, here are five things your boss wants to see before booking that meeting.

1. Dress the part: I always say you should dress for the job that you want, so dress for the next level.

2. Show leadership qualities: You want to be seen as someone who is a leader or the sensible one in the group – not the one gossiping around the water cooler.

Show your boss that you are ready to handle more responsibility.

3. Take on more: Show that you’ve taken on extra projects or activities above and beyond your job and that you’ve delivered on it. Track the additional work and any strategic projects you drive.

Amanda Rose says leadership qualities are key when it comes to asking for a pay rise. Picture: Monique Harmer

4. Confidence: Bosses want evidence that you can handle all sorts of situations without needing to go to them each time.

So, if you’re going to be promoted or get a pay rise, that automatically means you’re going to be given more responsibility to take pressure off others or the boss. It stands to reason your managers want to know you’re not going to crumble in every difficult situation.

5. What’s your value? Set out how you’ve either made the organisation money or saved it money. Bosses want to know the changes you’ve introduced to cut costs or how you‘ve improved efficiency by 30 per cent, for example.

This is the justification for giving you more money. You usually have to make two thirds more than you’re asking for, meaning an employee is generally paid a third of their value.

So if you made or saved the business $90,000, you could ask for a $30,000 pay rise.

True, you are not likely to get that much, but it shows your worth and you might get an extra $10,000.

Do you have a work query for Amanda? email [e-mail]

The founder of Small Business Women Australia, Amanda is a key mentor and career adviser.

Originally published as Five steps to getting a pay rise