Whether you’ve been at your current job for ten years, or one year, you deserve to get financially compensated for your hard work. As it stands, many people do not get the promotions they are due, simply because they do not ask, or if they do ask they go about it entirely the wrong way. There are ways that you can ensure you get that promotion you’ve been thinking about for some time. Equipping yourself with the knowledge you need is crucial before you go in and ask for a promotion or even a pay rise.
Prepare a solid presentation
Present the facts and be prepared to list reasons why you should get a promotion with evidence to back you up. For example, you may have been consistently working overtime, or have gained excellent results on a particular project- however if you can’t show this to your boss then it will not hold any real ground with them. It is better to be over-prepared than under-prepared. You want your boss to see that you know your value, and how indispensable you are to the company.
Upskill and train
Do you have the necessary skills and training to meet the requirements of a promotion? If not, then consider upskilling or developing new skills that will make you more of a suitable candidate for this new job role. Many professionals take masters courses, or further study while they are working- which is sometimes subsidised or entirely paid for by their company. See what options are available to you. This will benefit you both professionally, and also show your superiors that you are a proactive individual who would be a good candidate for a promotion. Training involves taking on industry specific knowledge that you may not currently have, or building a database of knowledge that may be highly complex or technical. Use all the tools that you have available to you, which may include an Electronics Manufacturing Services Dictionary if you work in the electronics manufacturing services industry.
Timing is everything
Do not spring a request for a promotion on your boss suddenly. Request a formal meeting where both of you have time to sit down and go over your promotion request. Make sure that your timing is carefully thought out. Ensure that there is space or a vacancy for you to fill a new position, or make the request at a time when you know there is a greater possibility of success. In the middle of your companies busiest period probably isn’t the best time to ask for a promotion or a salary increase, so consider making your request at the end of the business quarter for example. In a similar way, avoid scheduling a meeting before lunch or at the end of the day. You’ll want to have enough time to pitch your promotion and you certainly won’t want your boss to be in a hurry to leave for lunch or keen to get home.
Length of time in employment isn’t a reason for a promotion
Many people mistakenly believe that they are due a promotion simply because of the length of time they have been at work. This is not the case at all. Equally, only being employed for a short time doesn’t automatically eliminate you from a promotion. Instead of looking at a promotion as a time-sensitive issue, think of it as something that you are due when you have excelled at work, and can provide clear examples of how you have gone above or beyond in contributing to your company. You should be perceived as the logical choice for the job role, so let people know in advance why they should be thinking of promoting you, before you actually ask for a promotion. You can do this is subtle ways, by consulting with Human Resources and making sure you are asking all the right questions and ticking all the right boxes to get you noticed.
Consider alternatives to a promotion
If you aren’t able to receive a promotion at this time, then do try to use this as an opportunity to get other compensation. You can use the promotion as a bargaining chip. If they cannot offer you a promotion, then suggest a financial compensation in the form of a pay rise, or perhaps more holiday leave. Whatever the result of your request, make your value clear, and that way you will be more likely to receive other compensation as a way to keep you satisfied and productive at work. A happy employee is a productive employee, and your employer will know the importance of keeping a team player on-board.
