“Boss…I need a raise…”
Familiar words to the full-time employee? OK, so perhaps not many of us would actually ask our bosses outright for a raise, but we all secretly think about asking for a raise on a regular basis, right?
Let’s face it, most of us employees feel overworked and underpaid. Who does not want more? Surely, for our efforts we deserve a pay increase, better bonus, a promotion, higher increment, better perks, etc. We want better opportunities. Our list of “wants” is endless. And we grow frustrated and demotivated at work when these things don’t come to us easily. After all, we’ve earned it, right?
The answer may not be what you expect.
The world of work has changed, friends. Unfortunately, just showing up for work every day and doing what you are told, is no longer enough. We need to demonstrate to our bosses that we stand out from the crowd of average employees. To get better rewards, we need to show that we bring something special to the table. When your Boss, colleagues and clients view you as a valuable asset to the company, your chances of getting that raise, promotion or other benefit increases exponentially.
In short, you have to make yourself worth it.
Here are a couple of tips to get you started on the road to career stardom.
Make your boss look good
Sometimes, the Boss needs help. Whether this is your ultimate boss, or your supervisor in a middle management position, he/she has a lot on their plate. By helping them, you help yourself. Work hard at managing the nurturing the relationship with your boss. Sure, this can be difficult if you have a tough boss. You don’t have to “like” him/her, but you should not risk a bad relationship jeopardizing your chances of moving ahead. So, suck it up and focus on helping your boss in any way that you can. The more reliant your boss is on you, the further ahead you’ll be in the queue for a raise.
Become the expert – monopolise a particular skill
Today, it’s not enough to have a string of post-graduate qualifications hanging on the wall. To get ahead at work, you need to have skillsets and knowledge that you can apply, to add tangible value to your organization. You need to keep yourself updated in your field and consistently learning new things. Keep reading, keep learning new skills and refreshing your existing ones, keep networking with your peers to glean industry insights and specific knowledge.
Network – Be a Relationship Builder
Work hard at connecting with and developing relationships with everyone in the company – subordinates, colleagues and bosses. Don’t assume that just because colleagues and subordinates are lower down the organisational hierarchy, they are not useful contacts to have. The reality is every relationship that you cultivate will benefit you down the road. When you have personal relationships with a variety of colleagues in different parts of the company, you find yourself able to tap into these networks and gain access to insights that even your bosses, may not be able to access. Soon, you will develop a reputation within the company of being the go-to person to solve problems requiring inter-departmental communications.
Say yes when others say no
The average employee prefers to avoid more work. Their objective is to get as much pay for as little work as possible. They spend most of their time complaining about everything in the office and doing the bare minimum. You can stand out of this crowd, by being passionate, energetic and engaged in your work. Step up and volunteer for new projects and roles. Take on responsibility. Your bosses will immediately sit up and take notice of you.
Focus on what matters
Identify your advantage over other employees. What is it that you have/can do, that others don’t/can’t, or rather, simply cannot do as well as you? Zoom in on that aspect and lock your focus onto it. Delegate anything that is not a focus area (if you can). Or if you can’t, spend less time on those things. Instead, work hard at showcasing the edge that you have over others, and strategically highlight the value that you add, to the right people in the organization.
Keep a positive attitude
Lastly, greet everyone you meet at work with a positive expression, no matter how glum everyone else looks. Have a smile on your face and let your energy and passion for what you do, show in the way you carry yourself. Your bosses and co-workers will have to respond in the same way, as they will feel energized when faced with your positive energy. This is of course easier said than done especially on days when things have not gone great or you are tired, unwell or dealing with family issues at home. But, practice always sounding enthusiastic and energetic regardless of how you actually feel. You’ll find that you feel better when you respond this way, and that people around you respond better to you. Positivity is like a magnet and attracts people to you.
An employee demonstrating all of the above traits is truly, worth rewarding by even the most tight-fisted organisation. So let’s adjust our mindsets and accept that in order to get a raise or other benefits at work, we have to make ourselves worth it to our employers. These things will not come to us on a silver platter. Be strategic and innovative in planning and achieving your career goals. Work hard, work smart, and give the job everything you’ve got. Your efforts will be noticed, and rewarded down the road.
