Hey Workplace Manager, Is It Time You Got a Raise?
You feel like you do excellent work, and you want to be rewarded. However, heading into the boss’s office with a grouchy attitude won’t get you a raise. How can you make your case for a raise and make it well? 
These do’s and don’t will help you navigate the challenging waters of the ask.
Do Your Best
Sometimes when you’re feeling harassed at work, no amount of money can make the job better. Before you ask for a raise, be honest with yourself: make sure that you are truly putting the best possible effort into your position. When you’re meeting and exceeding expectations, you’re in a prime position to ask for a raise.
Do Your Research
When you’re looking for a raise, it pays to research your field. What are other workplace managers of similar facilities making? How long have they been there, and what do their responsibilities involve? Take a look at industry profiles and ask friends in the field.
Do Consider Your Industry
When the economy is taking a dive and your industry is facing huge challenges, it may not be the most prudent time to ask for a raise. Consider the overall economic picture in your industry as you choose your timing.
Do Make a Case
Once you confirm that your performance and the salaries in your field mean that you merit a raise; make your case. You need tangible talking points that will help you make a case for your raise. If you’ve improved facility repair speed significantly or if you’ve changed facilities management systems and have improved the use of space in your facilities, quantify this and add these talking points to your case.
Do Think About What You Really Need
If you’re looking for a raise because you feel overworked and underpaid, it may be time to consider what your job should actually involve. If a raise isn’t possible, can you get an administrative assistant to take some of the burden off of your shoulders? Consider what would make your job easier and more pleasant.
Don’t Go in With a Negative Attitude
When you’re looking for a raise, you may have postponed this discussion for a while. If you’re feeling resentful, that is a bad time to ask for a raise; you may want to put the discussion off for a little longer.
Go into your meeting with a positive attitude. Talk about how you value the company and about the value you bring. Imagine that you’re at a job interview or that you’re selling a valuable product – your services.
Don’t Only Think About Yourself
If you were in a job interview, you’d let your manager know how you’d benefit the company. Do the same when you ask for a raise. Make your case with your company in mind. How can you continue to help transform its facility management processes?
Don’t Ask at the Wrong Time
While a spur of the moment discussion on Monday morning or Friday afternoon might seem like a good way to get the talk out of the way, it’s best to plan ahead and plan for a time when your boss is able to think calmly about your question. Start asking at least 3 to 4 months before your annual review, when your manager is making plans.
When you’re looking for a raise, approach your manager with a well-prepared conversation. Be ready to discuss how you’ve contributed to your facility and how you plan to transform it in the future.
When you’re looking for solutions that change the way you manage your facilities, iOffice can help. Our facilities management software helps you streamline your management and collaborate with other employees to make your facility function in the best possible way.
