I have worked in the corporate world for longer than I care to say, but I do know a thing or two about moving up the corporate ladder. In my current role, in the E-commerce department for a division of L’Oréal, I have made two strategic moves (& projecting a third one in the next four months) since starting there four years ago. In doing so, I have learned three main techniques that have contributed to my success at the company.
“You have to communicate YOUR contributions”
Susan Gallagher, COO of True Partners Consulting
Susan Gallagher, COO of True Partners Consulting states in an article for NBC News (view article here), that “You have to communicate YOUR contributions.” At the end of the year, most companies give evaluations to all employees. This is a great forum for you to discuss what you have been really doing well. If you led that project, got that certification, or trained that co-worker, you should use that written and oral evaluation to remind your boss of all the good works you do, and why you are a tremendous asset to the company. This year my company went through a massive overhaul of our website and Operations Management System, which required lots of extra work, long hours, and training to get it done. I made sure my boss knew how much effort I was putting in; making sure he knew I had stepped up and was taking on more responsibility.
I am also a member of Toastmasters International (a non-profit educating people in communication and leadership), and I am half way through their program. Each time I gain a new communication or leadership certification I make sure Toastmasters sends a letter to my boss to include in my employee file. This way the company knows I am paying money out my own pocket for my own personal development.
If there is something you want to work on, or a process change you would like to see, you need to vocalize this to management, as you cannot assume they will be aware. They are not mind readers. You have to be your own, best advocate.
Personally, I’ve always named a figure. I want to be clear about what I want…”
Alison Green- askamanager.org Blogger
Alison Green, in answering reader questions for Askamanager.org (see post here), suggest being specific when naming a figure for your raise, and to be CLEAR about what you want. It is imperative that you be specific, so that when you walk away your manager knows what you want. They in turn should also be clear and specific in what you need to deliver or what will be expected of you due to this raise in income.
Luckily, I was so specific in my management inquiries, telling them what positions I wanted and what I had done to deserve a raise that I did not have to toss out a number. They came to me with a number and I accepted. I have had over the average raises the entire four years of my tenure there, and above average raises for every promotion I have had. I believe being as clear as possible, in written form during my evaluations, made it easier for my boss to go to upper management and human resources for approval.
“Don't beat yourself up if things don't go as smoothly as you had planned. A raise can be a series of conversations over a few months.”
Katie Donovan, founder of EqualPayNegotiations.com.
Katie Donovan, a salary advocate (in article found here), knows that it may take a few months before the raise is approved. You have to stick with it, for an undetermined amount of time, sometimes. I worked at my company over two years before I saw my first lateral move and another year before my actual promotion. It took time for the company and my position to grow enough where they could support paying me more, and I could warrant deserving more money; though I did get a raise every year. Every evaluation where I did not get the raise or the promotion I was looking for my manager would let me know when I would be evaluated again and what I needed to do to get to that next level. I also left the meeting knowing when I might be able to broach the subject again, should anything change. I made sure to follow up periodically to check in and see how the department was doing, and if there was anything I could do to help. My perseverance and persistence has allowed me to get raises when no one else was getting them. I believe that it may take a few conversations, so don’t give up after the first meeting; Keep coming back until you hear a firm, “NO!”
I know it can be difficult and challenging navigating the corporate world, but in this economy we all could stand to make a little more money, and if you are doing a great job, I hope that you speak up, specify what you want, and are diligent in seeking it out. It doesn’t always fall in your lap; sometimes you need to reach out and grab it!
Have you received a raise or promotion and want to brag about it? How did you do it? We want to celebrate with you. Leave a comment so we can share in your good fortune.