Hey you, don’t be so down.
So your boss says you only “met expectations” for the last quarterly performance review? Does it mean you don’t deserve that pay raise you’ve been eyeing?
Of course not! Just because your boss doesn’t appreciate how much you’ve been sweating this whole year doesn’t mean you should give up. Listen, even if you know you didn’t exactly set the office on fire recently, that doesn’t mean you don’t deserve to get paid what you’re worth.
Review your performance review & prepare your case
Take a good look at your performance review again. Which parts are not so “power”? Double-check with your boss the areas you need to improve. Then plan how to up your game in the next few months. Maybe you can ask your mentor or senior colleagues to guide you.
After that, compile all the stuff you have done thus far that shows you deserve a promotion. Put together reports, emails, or data to build your case. Highlight your key contributions and the ways you added value to the team or company. Show how you took on more responsibilities (if any).
Timing & framing the discussion
Image Credits: forbes.com
Timing plays a huge part.
Choose a good time to talk when things at the office are not so busy. Avoid the week before major deadlines or when the company is not doing so well. Your boss will be more receptive if you bring this up at the right time.
Then, go meet your boss and be honest that the review wasn’t what you expected. But say you want to improve and have concrete ideas on how to do better. Explain the steps you will take to get there.
At the same time, don’t forget to bring up all your achievements and contributions if you’ve been in the company for some time. Tell him/her you feel you deserve a raise because you have proven yourself in the past. If he/she hesitates, ask what else you need to do to get a promotion and negotiate from there.
A few negotiating angles for your consideration
- I’ve taken on more responsibilities over time. I’m now mentoring two new team members and handling some big client accounts. My job scope has increased but my pay hasn’t.
- I’ve been loyal to the company. I’ve stuck around even when other opportunities came up. I believe in the work we do here and want to continue progressing in my career with this company.
- I’m committed to continuous improvement. I realize I have more to learn, but I’m eager to develop my skills and strengthen my performance. If given clear feedback, I will be highly motivated to exceed expectations going forward.
- I understand that now may not be the right time for a pay increase, but I wanted to express my interest in advancing my career here. If a salary bump isn’t possible at the moment, would you consider other benefits like extra annual leave or flexible work arrangements? I’m open to discussing various options.
- I appreciate you taking the time to consider my request. Can we meet again in three months to revisit this conversation? I aim to prove my value to the team during this time. Thank you for your support and mentorship thus far. I look forward to continuing our discussion!
So don’t be that dejected by your not-so-fantastic review this last quarter, my friend. Though your boss may not see your value now, you know the contributions you’ve made. Take a step back and look at your wins, big and small. Prep, build your case and schedule that meeting. Go in with confidence in what you’ve achieved, give some solid examples, and ask for that raise. Your boss may surprise you if you show how much you care about career growth. If you get a ‘not now’, don’t lose hope. Use that fire in your belly to push on and exceed next year. The only way is up, so keep your head up high.