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When it comes to getting a raise, you don’t need to wait until your annual review to ask for one: the absolute best time to ask for a raise is when you’ve just accomplished something rather extraordinary.

What’s extraordinary? Landing a big client. Revamping the AP process, saving the company lots of money because invoices go out more quickly and are paid by clients more quickly. Pitching AdAge.com and getting your PR client a front page story.

Yet even if you don’t do something of the extreme wow factor, just about any time is a good time to ask for a raise so long as you consistently operate at the top of your game (85 percent or more of the time).

Read below for some more tips for negotiating a raise.

  • Send your boss regular reports regarding updates on projects and tasks, as well as your accomplishments. Send a report quarterly or even monthly. At the least, send her a report every six months. Doing so helps your accomplishments stay on her mind and having your accomplishments (with percentages of monies saved, revenue increased, old customers saved, new customers made, etc.) easily noted by her because you keep presenting it to her in black and white.
  • Is your company going through a growth mode? Is it hiring? Has it had a great year regarding income compared to outgo? Far better to ask for a raise when things are going well rather than when layoffs are imminent.
  • That said, if you regularly exceed expectations – remember that report you keep sending her? – you probably can get a raise even when things are going very poorly for the company. Why? Because no company wants to make a top producer unhappy enough to leave.
  • Before asking for a raise, do your research to find what the going raise and/or salary is for your position within your industry nationwide as well as in companies near you.
  • If you don’t get the raise or promotion you ask for, don’t despair. You can ask to revisit the proposal in three or six months. Or if your boss believes you do deserve a raise/promotion but has budgetary constraints that just can’t be modified, ask if other benefits may be substituted. Perhaps an extra week of paid vacation time or more sick days, or paid education or certification classes. What about telecommuting or a guaranteed performance-based bonus should you meet or exceed parameters you and your boss agree upon?

If you feel your performance at work merits a raise or promotion and your current Manhattan employer just can’t – or won’t – award you with it, it may be time to look for an employer who will reward great work. Bring your resume to the recruiters at Winston Resources. We’ve been pairing great employees with fabulous NYC companies for decades and we look forward to helping you get the kind of raise/salary you deserve.


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