In our last blog post, we have shared several effective tips on how to approach salary negotiations process and how to be effective in such negotiations. However, there is one more question we haven't covered in regards to the aforementioned topic - when one should negotiate a salary increase. Obviously, one has got more chances to secure a desired pay before he/she is hired, but what about those employees who have already been hired and want to have their salaries reconsidered? Experienced professionals from Prime-resume.com would like to share some ideas as to when it is most fitting to negotiate on the job.
Best Timing for Negotiations
Salary negotiations are all about taking advantages. If you are in a disadvantaged position you will unlikely get a positive outcome. Therefore, you have to be very careful when choosing the right moment for initiating such negotiations. In order to have an advantage during such conversation, it is always better to have specific examples in your recent work experience that can prove to an employer that you are creating business value. So a good idea to initiate a raise discussion is when you expanded the customer base, increased sales or any other thing from which the company has had significant benefits.
If you are not the main person to take the credit for the accomplishments it is OK; being an important part of the team that has helped the company counts for an advantage too. Going the extra mile for the company can also become a significant plus to negotiate on something better for your career. If you have done something extra, especially when no one really wanted to do that you might have won a good timing to make your request. For example, the manager of the company has asked for something that isn't included in your job responsibilities (i.e. travel and run training, work on the weekend, etc.), but you still took initiative and did it. Such efforts cannot go unnoticed and will only highlight your value to the business. Having demonstrated your loyalty and trustworthiness in such situations you will have more chances on the positive outcome of a promotion/raise request.
Another case when salary negotiations can be appropriate is when the company is growing and its future is certain. Many employees understand when the future is uncertain due to the anticipated downsize or something similar they won't have many chances to squeeze in with their salary negotiations. However, when you can see the company developing and expanding it might be a good chance to seize the upcoming opportunities in advance. The thing is that those businesses who are expanding will have additional responsibilities to be taken care of. Sometimes companies hire new people for that and sometimes they negotiate with their employees on expanding their duties and raising their salaries respectively. You can have an advantage if you make the first step.
