Do you deserve a raise?
It’s that time of year! It’s time for bonuses and annual raises. There’s lots of advice flying around about how to negotiate your next raise or promotion. I’m going to share with you a slightly different take on how to approach the most wonderful time of the year.
When I was younger I followed the common advice about raises and listed all of my accomplishments and extra effort that I put in throughout the year. I kept a log of my workload and demonstrated to my boss how I was exceeding expectations. But this didn’t work. I received a pat on the back and the standard cost-of-living raise. The truth was, my employer was never intending to give me anything more than that, no matter how good I was at my job. The reason was twofold.
Reason #1 Why I Didn’t Get a Promotion
My boss didn’t hate me and your boss doesn’t hate you. More than likely they want you to succeed. However, our goals don’t always align with the goals of the company. No matter how much I deserved a promotion, the company’s vision for the next 5 years simply didn’t align with my vision. I was attempting to put a square peg in a round hole.
As you’re preparing to request a raise or promotion you have to understand the company’s goals and vision. And you might have to be honest about whether your goals align. You might be longing for a particular position, for which they do not foresee future growth. You might be deserving of recognition, but unsure about the next step in your career. You might think you’re the best fit for the next manager opening, but the company is looking for something different.
If you’re clear on your personal vision and goals, you have to be clear on the company’s vision and goals. Below are a few great questions to ask to better understand how your skills align with the future of the company:
- What changes are you anticipating in the company within the next couple of years?
- What challenges do you foresee as we grow?
- What new technology are we planning to introduce next year?
- How are other companies in our industry accomplishing XYZ?
Reason #2 Why I Didn’t Get a Promotion
Later in my career I received more raises and promotions by taking a different approach. Instead of making it all about me and my accomplishments, I focused on my relationships with supervisors and value added to the company. By focussing on the relationships, I was able to identify existing skill and process gaps and easily fulfill those needs. My value became apparent, not by my own accolades, but in helping others be successful. The gratitude translated to more opportunities for my own advancement.
I didn’t receive the promotion at the preceding company because I focused my energy on my own accomplishments and strengths instead of focusing on my relationships with my colleagues. I was too busy trying to prove myself and lost sight of the team benefit.
Next Steps
So as you’re preparing for those end-of-year reviews and compensation discussions, I encourage you to think less about patting yourself on the back and more about how your skills help the team achieve greatness and align with the vision. It might not result in big dollars this year, but leaning into these approaches can set you up for success in the future.
I recently delivered a webinar on Earning and Owning Your Seat at the Table. To learn more about booking this training or others, reach out to me at [email protected]
