5 things to do before asking for a raise

Congratulations! You’ve landed a job and have been in your role for two years. You love your job and the company you work for, but you’ve started to feel like you have more to offer. You might even think that you’re an ideal candidate for a raise or promotion.

But it’s important to remember – time spent working at a company is only one factor that most managers consider when they’re promoting people. They also need to feel confident that you have mastered your current position, can handle the added responsibilities and are ready to take the next step.

If you feel confident in your work and like you’re prepared to advance in the company, you should consider asking for the promotion or raise. But before you march into your boss’s office, there are five things you should do.

Assess your work.

Before you think about asking for a promotion or a raise, take time to assess your work. Have you received positive feedback from your team leaders? Have you brought new ideas to the table that are being implemented? Do you feel confident enough in your role that you could teach someone else to do it? These are signs that your work has progressed to the point that you might be ready for a promotion. If not, don’t stress. Everyone needs time to acclimate to their role and to sharpen their skills. If your work isn’t consistently strong, then invest time in developing your skills before you think about a raise or a promotion.

Offer to take on more responsibilities.

If you’re not already, offer to take on more responsibility. You could offer to lead a meeting, take on an important project, or train a new employee. Taking on new responsibilities helps broaden your workplace skills while also demonstrating that you’re a committed employee. All of these added responsibilities are new lines to be added to your resume, which will be helpful when you’re asking for a promotion or raise. But be careful – don’t take on so much work that you’re not able to complete your regular tasks! Only take on work that you have the time and skills to do well.

Ask for constructive feedback.

Does your boss or supervisor give you feedback? If not, ask for it! Learning from your boss where you can improve and strengthen your position will help you become a better employee. Asking for feedback not only gives you valuable information, but it shows to your boss that you are interested in growing and improving in your role.

Prepare your case.

If you feel confident that your work, skills and experience warrant a raise or a promotion, start to build your case. Make a list of projects you executed really well, times you stood out as a leader or examples of work that went above and beyond. Write down your qualities that align with the role you want to fill. For example, if you want to be promoted to an account manager, think of the attributes that make a good account manager and demonstrate how you have those qualities.

Set a meeting with your boss.

Asking for a promotion or a raise isn’t something you should do in the spur of the moment. You want to ensure you have time to discuss why you’re asking for a raise and any concerns your boss might have. Setting a short meeting will give you the time to lay out your case and have a discussion with your boss. It also shows that you’re serious about your work future, and are open to candid conversations about your future with the company.