IN
THIS ISSUE:
Want
a Raise?
You
Need to Ask for It
Are you waiting for someone to
recognize your work and give you the raise you deserve? If you are, you’re not
alone. Many employees patiently wait for “it” to happen. However, giving other
people the power over your income and career in this way can be a long and
painful experience. The truth is, if you want more recognition and rewards at
your healthcare organization, you’re probably going to have to ask for it.
Here’s how you can deliberately and
thoughtfully negotiate your discussion:
Do
your homework. If you’re going to ask for a raise, you have
to know what you’re worth. Do some research to find out what other professionals
in your field make.
(salary.com, acinet.org, or jobstar.org)
Know
what you have to offer. What have your accomplishments
been? What are you doing currently? What will you be able to do in the future?
How are you valuable in the company? Go to the table with some cold, hard
numbers. Do not make an emotional appeal for a raise. Stick to your performance,
and use numbers to back up your argument.
Time
it right. If your organization is going
through major changes or a reorganization, it may not be the best time to ask
for a raise. Try to time your discussion when operations are smooth and revenue
is up or looks promising.
Rehearse. Make sure
you are properly prepared. Practice before the meeting. Make sure you take time
to think through all the possible scenarios that could occur in the meeting and
what your response will be. Also, remember that you are proposing and
requesting: You’re not asking for a favor or groveling.
Execute. You will
need to manage the meeting, since you called it. Tell your boss you want to
discuss your performance and compensation. After the meeting, follow up with an
e-mail or phone call within 24 hours.
At the end of the day, you may get
everything you want—or you may not. Chances are, however, that you’ll never know
for sure until you ask for it.
“Why
not go out on a limb? Isn’t that where the fruit
is?”
—Frank
Scully
