Move Up in Your Current Job
There are many reasons why you may want to move up in your current job.
- You know you could take on more responsibility.
- You've already taken on more responsibility, with good results.
- You see a new angle that your work unit could tackle.
- You can be more valuable to your employer - and that would call for a raise.
- In the last year, you've increased your value to your employer. A raise would recognize that.
- You're pretty sure your managers like your work, but they haven't mentioned a promotion.
- You'd like the chance to add some new tasks - to keep fresh and motivated.
- With new assignments and more experience, you could apply for a higher-level job later.
- A higher title would give you more credibility.
- You could use more money.
- You believe you deserve a raise.
Maybe a combination of these move-up reasons fits your situation.
Moving up is often about getting a raise or a bonus, but not always. What does "moving up" mean to you? Write it down. Then plan how to make it happen.
Guidelines for Moving Up
Here are the basic guidelines for asking or negotiating with your boss about a raise, new responsibilities, or promotion:
- Know what you want. Have some alternatives to present in case you don't get your first choice or request.
- Do research to back up what you want, and present it to your boss in the way s/he most likes to get new information.
- Be clear, calm, and confident.
Know What You Want
Know which of these you want. You may want to ask for more than one.
- A different title
- A raise or a bonus for work you've already done
- New assignments or responsibilities in your current job, as a chance to prove yourself
- New assignments or responsibilities in your current job, along with a raise
- A different job with more responsibility
- A different job with more responsibility and a raise
Prepare at least one alternative for whatever you want. Examples could be:
- A future date for your request to be granted, or reconsidered. How about three months into the future, instead of immediately?
- A title that would not compete with or contradict company titles, but would mean something to your customers, clients, or constituents outside your company.
- A lower raise. One part of the raise now; the rest by a future date. A bonus instead of a raise. Other perks instead of a raise, or in addition to a lower raise. For example, time off, more flexible scheduling, conference attendance, or released time for a special project.
- A smaller new task or responsibility to start with. You co-lead a new assignment with a more experienced worker.
- A chance to cross-train in the possible new job with a current worker. You use your own time, for a limited period, to learn elements of the new job.
Do Back-Up Research
Do two types of research to prepare your request for a raise, new responsibilities, and/or a promotion.
First, describe the successful work you have already done, or will do.
Second, if you're asking for a raise, base your request on what workers with similar jobs in other companies in your area earn. Also, be aware of your company's usual rules, which could be unspoken, for raises. Your request can follow these rules. If it doesn't, you can show why it's a good idea to go outside those rules.
When describing your own work successes, be specific about what you have accomplished. Show links between what you accomplished and how your work unit or company has benefited.
It's much easier to keep a record of your achievements as you go along. It's hard to remember your accomplishments long after the fact.
Figure out what's important to the success of your work unit or employer. Describe your achievements in those terms. Use active verbs. Use short headlines; explain in detail.
Don't directly compare yourself to another employee. In fact, many career experts and managers say that is the worst thing you can do. You'll almost always be turned down.
Recording your tasks and accomplishments is the easiest thing in the world to put off doing. Tell yourself that you only have to write down a few things. Get the kind of notebook that you'll be most likely to actually write in. It could be:
- Something to fit in your shirt pocket or purse
- A folder labeled 'kudos,' that you throw notes into
- A blank journal, maybe with inspirational sayings, or of hand-made paper
- A school composition notebook
- A section of your Day-Timer or other agenda
- A file in your PDA/Palm Pilot
Keep notes using these categories:
- Dates
- Descriptions of what you did in 10-20 words
- Praise you received and from whom. Ask colleagues for notes or emails.
- Benefits you see of what you did
It helps to have an idea about what salary, or raise, is reasonable to ask for. It is easy to find salary information for jobs similar to yours, or for jobs similar to the new title, assignments, or promotion you are asking for.
Salary information in books gets outdated quickly. Salary comparison tools on the Internet are more reliable. Unless you're relocating, base your salary research on your own geographic area.
Be Clear, Calm, and Confident
Be clear, first with yourself and then with your boss. Practice your speech, maybe in front of a mirror! Practice with a friend. Think about what your boss might say and how you'll respond.
Additional Resources
Articles
on Salary Negotiation
From the Career Resource Library on America's Career Infonet,
a dozen useful links to tips and online articles. Full of
practical steps and examples.
Wages and Trends
Powerful salary comparison tool from America's Career
InfoNet. Get detailed wage information on specific occupations,
for the U.S. or any state or metropolitan region. Compare wages
among different occupations or locations.
SalaryExpert.com
The basic salary report and basic cost of living report are free.
More detailed reports are pricey. The basic cost of living report
lets you see how much your current salary would be worth in
another city.
Books
Find these books online at Barnes and Noble.com
Portfolio Power: The New Way to Showcase All Your Job Skills and Experiences, Martin Kimeldorf, Peterson's Publishing Group, 1997. Gives detailed but easy-to-follow instructions on how to identify and document your skills, abilities, and experiences. Especially useful for negotiating a promotion or raise. Buy a used copy online, or find this at your library.
Mid-Career Tune-Up: 10 New Habits for Keeping Your Edge in Today's Fast-Paced Workplace, William A. Salmon, Rosemary T. Salmon, American Management Association, 1999. Buy a used copy online, or find this at your library.
Get Paid What You're Worth: The Expert Negotiator's Guide to Salary and Compensation, Robin L. Pinkley, Gregory B. Northcraft, St. Martin's Press, 2003.
