By demonstrating that you’re a valuable asset to the company, you are more likely to get a pay increase. Showing your value is the best way for how to get a raise without asking for one. Instead of approaching your manager without any accomplishments to validate your worth, wait until the timing is right. Once you have substantially assisted the company, then you should feel confident while approaching your employer about a raise. You could even get a pay raise without even asking.
How to Show You Deserve a Raise
Prove your value in tangible ways. First, show your manager you have excellent customer or company relationships. Next, use every opportunity to demonstrate you are organized. Then, be positive and commit to showcasing your strong work ethic. Finally, if you work in sales, exceed your sales targets. After meeting these criteria, you will be ready to ask for a raise.
More often than not, employers take notice of exceptional work ethic and motivated employees. They may even save you the trouble of having to ask and reward your efforts on their own. However, sometimes your boss might be withholding on the increases, and you will need to approach them. In this case, you want to be confident and ready to present a list of achievements.
How to Show Your Manager You’re a Valuable Asset
There are several different facets of your workplace that will help you prove your value. Maybe you’ve increased sales or productions, possess strong customer relations, or improve daily functions. So long as you contribute something of importance that is good for the company. Proving your value is a theme we talk about a lot on RaiseGuide.com. When you demonstrate you’re a valuable asset to the organization, it’s a good way for how to get a raise when budgets are tight.
Now, let’s breakdown the different ways to show your value:
1. Excellent Customer Relations
Building strong customer relations is the best way to land more sales and impress your boss. Whatever your position, every company depends on its customers to thrive. Without them, the business makes no profit, and you end up without a job.
The best way to deal with customers is to make them feel valued. Give them a reason to invest in what you’re selling. If your position is commission-based, that’s all the more reason to secure loyal clients. But, that doesn’t mean you should slack in other circumstances.
If you work in an office, treat every client in a friendly manner! Greet them pleasantly, make appropriate small talk, and most importantly sympathize with any concerns they might have. A useful communication tool is to listen, repeat, and then ask what they feel would resolve their matter.
A useful communication tool is to listen, repeat, and then ask what they feel would resolve their matter. Click To TweetThis approach makes the other person feel like you’re genuinely interested and want to help them, which builds trust.
If someone approaches you with a complaint or issue always let them speak first. Once they’ve explained themselves, repeat back to them a summary of their concerns. Then ask what resolution would make them happy. Once they answer, you can work with that foundation to meet their interests in a way that works for everyone. Doing this will land you long-term clients that are loyal to you.
2. Organized Workflow
Your workflow is the most significant area an employer will notice. Consistently delivering assignments on-time, or even early, will prove your value. It’s also crucial that you demonstrate the ability to work independently. You don’t want to be asking your boss a million questions every day! Doing this will only irritate them and won’t help you in getting raise.
There are a few ways to guarantee your workflow stays on track:
- Follow Instructions: When your boss gives you instructions, follow them! Deliver work that is what they asked for, and your employer will take notice. Poor followthrough is one of the biggest mistakes people make at work. It could be as simple as missing one small detail which is why you should always write down any instructions right away.
- Never Rely on Coworkers: Don’t skip note taking to rely on coworkers later. Asking coworkers to clarify verbal instructions is a big mistake! The reason is that any errors on your coworkers’ behalf will trickle down to you and reflect on your work. If they misheard the instructions, then you will be following the wrong guidelines.
- Meet Deadlines: Meeting deadlines is a must! Otherwise, you will show your employer that you don’t care about the company, you’re unreliable, or you aren’t worth paying more to employ. Strive to finish assignments or task one day early and submit everything before the actual deadline. Doing this shows you’re eager to work and are a valuable asset.
3. Strong Work Ethic
Most people lack a strong work ethic, which is something employers dislike the most. There are small gestures you can show that will set you apart from your coworkers and prove you are someone the company won’t want to lose. It could be as simple as arriving five minutes early every day or returning from your break on time without fail.
One of the best ways to show your work ethic is by following directions well. It might surprise you to know how many employees fail to pay attention to instructions and deviate from employers specifications on projects or other tasks. By paying close attention to details and following directions, you will earn yourself respect from your boss.
The best way to be sure you’re on track is to write everything down. If your boss gives you instructions during the morning meeting, write them down word-for-word. This way you won’t forget even the smallest detail.
4. Hit Your Sales Targets
Increasing sales is an excellent way to prove you’re a valuable employee! Whether it’s by improving your conversational skills, taking a sales class, or just by working harder than ever, increasing your sales it a must!
Think of it this way: the more money your company makes, the more likely they are to give you a raise. Whereas, if you’re not helping them to make money, they aren’t going to be thrilled about paying you more.
So, working hard to increase your sales performance is like investing in your future salary. If that’s not motivation enough, then nothing is! Take the time to research ways to sell more or take a weekend class that teaches effective communications and sales tactics.
How to Approach Your Manager for a Raise
Now that you’ve built-up your worth in the company you will want to ask your boss for a raise. Doing this is tricky because you won’t want to approach them in the wrong way. If you come across as being arrogant, your boss won’t be impressed. Whereas, if you’re not assertive enough, they won’t offer you the salary you want.
These tips will help you ask in the right way:
- Be smart with your timing: If your last raise was two months ago or you just started it’s not the best time to be asking for more money! But, if it’s been six months to a year from your last increase, it’s as good a time as any to ask. Also see our article on how often to ask for a raise.
- Schedule time: Don’t walk up to your boss in the hall and ask for a raise! Doing this will get you nowhere fast. Instead, schedule a block of time for a meeting. This way it’s just the two of you, and you will have their full attention.
- Share your goals and ask for their feedback: Doing this gives your boss a sense that you are committed to your position. It also lets them address any issues they may have with you.
- Proactively highlight accomplishments: Now is your chance to highlight all of the ways you’re valuable, including the previously mentioned techniques. By communicating your strengths, it helps your boss to see your worth.
Request a written performance evaluation
Having a written evaluation is a proactive way to ensure you continue to get regular pay increases. A written evaluation also gives you a chance to see your strengths and weaknesses, giving you a chance to improve for your next review.
A written evaluation will usually include the date of your next review, which means you won’t have to guess when it’s the right time to ask. Request a copy of your evaluation to take home so that you can work on any shortcomings and improve on any strengths. Doing this gives you a heads-up on what you excel at so that you can focus on building those areas while also enhancing any weaker links.
Make a list of questions
When you meet with your boss it’s a good idea to have a list of questions to ask. You can make this list in advance so that you don’t forget anything while talking to your employer. If you have any points you specifically want to address, writing them down means that you won’t forget anything too important.
Remember to communicate in a professional tone while asking for a raise. Never seem argumentative or combative, even when things don’t seem to be going your way. Using effective communication will make a world of difference.
When you ask for a raise by showing your value, it’s an effective way to make your boss see you an invaluable asset. Be sure that you aren’t asking too frequently though because it’s always six months minimum between raises. Check your company’s policy on pay raises before you ask so that you know expectations.
You should also research online to get a sense of the salary range for your type of job. Knowing your market rate gives you an advantage, especially when you’re a valuable employee. If your manager attempts to say no, ask him or her for the reasoning and if they would like you to take on any new responsibilities. Just don’t agree to anything too that’s going to prove too much to handle. Be realistic with your goals and don’t commit to something you won’t be able to complete.
