It\u2019s that time of year when many employees are due to have their performance reviews. And while these year-end or midyear performance reviews are believed to be the best time to mention salary, career coaches say that you need to lay the groundwork to ask for a raise early in the year.<\/p>\n
Or put another way: This is a great time to talk about your raise \u2014 for next year. And if your financial year ends in December rather than June? You\u2019re right on schedule.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo many budgetary decisions and compensation increases for teams and departments are often decided before<\/em> the year-end conversations with employees are scheduled,\u201d Octavia Goredema, career coach and host of the Audible series \u201cHow to Change Careers,\u201d told MarketWatch.\u00a0<\/p>\n \n \u201c<\/span>Don\u2019t say, \u2018I\u2019ve been here for five years, so I believe I deserve a raise.\u2019 \u201d<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Career coaches obviously advise employees to list their accomplishments to best prepare the path for a potential pay raise. But how do you actually ask for it? What should employees say, and what should they avoid saying when they are sitting in front of their boss? It\u2019s often the most stressful meeting most workers will have all year.\u00a0<\/p>\n But what should you not <\/em>do? Don\u2019t come across as needy or entitled, even accidentally. It\u2019s easy to do, experts say. For instance, don\u2019t say, \u201cI\u2019ve been here for five years, so I believe I deserve a raise.\u201d Or, \u201cI show up every day on time and do my work.\u201d That is, after all, what people are paid to do.\u00a0<\/p>\n Do say, \u201cI\u2019ve achieved 20% growth for my project and brought x<\/em> and y<\/em> ideas to the table.\u201d Also say, \u201cI\u2019ve contributed to the company\u2019s culture by organizing workshops on diversity and inclusion.\u201d Or say, \u201cMy work resulted in being recognized by x<\/em> or y<\/em> as an example of how to make our brand successful in a difficult economic environment.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Related: <\/strong>Is this a good \u2014 or bad \u2014 time for me to ask for a raise? The job market is strong, but layoffs are on the rise<\/p>\n Prioritize your achievements, your plans and what skills you bring to the company \u2014 your bread-and-butter results \u2014 and how you help contribute to a healthy corporate culture. Focus on what you have done during the time you\u2019ve been there, and what more you intend to do.<\/p>\n How are you different? What makes you stand out from other employees? \u201cAsking for a pay raise is really arguing for the unique value that you can add to the company,\u201d said Dave Wolovsky, career coach and negotiation consultant.\u00a0<\/p>\n It\u2019s not about who<\/em> you are \u2014 it\u2019s about what you have achieved. \u201cUse language about why you deserve the raise, not why you need or want one,\u201d Andrew McCaskill, LinkedIn career expert and creator of The Black Guy in Marketing newsletter, told MarketWatch.\u00a0<\/p>\n Economic or domestic circumstances are not a reason for a raise. Increased rent or a rise in grocery prices are not the concern of your employer, Goredema added.\u00a0<\/p>\n \n \u201c<\/span>\u2018It\u2019s OK to humble brag.\u2019\u201d<\/span>\n <\/p>\n What makes you stand out?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n