by Michele Wilmonen

Created on: January 15, 2009   Last Updated: November 12, 2011

No one ever believes that they make enough money. There is always a higher salary to strive towards, even if it seems to be just out of range. So how do you obtain that higher salary?

Increased workload

The best way to work towards an increased salary is to take on more work. Whether it is taking over for another colleague that is overloaded or volunteering for a new project that just came up. There is usually no end to the extra work that you can pick up in the workplace. Just be sure that your supervisor knows that you are taking on more work, if they don't know about it then your chances of successfully getting a raise are close to nil. Also do not expect the raise to come by itself; you have to ask for it. Make sure that when you do ask for it that you have the information to back up why you deserve the raise.

Quality of work

When you just start out at a job it is guaranteed that the quality of your work is horrible. But, as you learn and acquire more experience your quality will increase as time goes by. Also taking on additional training or outside college courses can help to increase the quality of your work through what you learn. Acquiring a raise this way requires patience and timing. It is not something that you can just go into your boss' office and say, "I believe that the quality of my work has increase and I need a raise." You are just setting yourself up to be embarrassed if they disagree.

Wait until you have your performance review to ask for a raise. This will give you a chance to see what your supervisor thinks about your work before you go any further. If they think that your work needs improvement, then you just saved yourself from being embarrassed. If they believe that your work is excellent and has improved, then go ahead and ask for the raise. Just be ready for both scenarios before you go into that office.

Blow your own horn

If you don't blow your own horn nobody else will for you. Keep track of your accomplishments at work and keep a running tab. List items such as the above mentioned increase in workload, good performance reviews, kudos from clients, awards and special training that your have accomplished. Then when you feel that you are ready, take the list with you when you ask your supervisor for a raise. By having the list in front of you and being able to defend why you deserve a raise you are more likely to get one.

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