Kind of curious if anyone has asked for a raise or a promotion and if you did, how you went about it.

I've been at the company I am with for about 4 years and I have done exceptional work and have numerious recommendations from customers praising my assistance. I am good at what I do and I know my upper management recognizes this.

On the other hand, like most companies today, things are just iffy and there always seems to be something going on. From that point of view, I've held off from doing anything.

Yet, it still seems that despite certain uncertainties, the exects still get thier payouts and starting next year I will be earing less money than when I started with the company. Almost 4k (gross) less due to restructuring of pay and compensation over the years. With the increasing costs of day to day life, I find I need the extra cash from a promotion simply to continue meeting my financial goals and obligations. I've even been contemplating taking on a second job for this very reason.

Of course I am willing to take on any extra responsibilities, but I also wonder if I am being selfish in wanting this or simply being practical.

Getting back to my question though,... any tips or techniques you specifically used in the past to land that raise or promotion?

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Final Fantasy

Sorry, can't help you. All the companies that I worked for in the past had raises and promotions automatically tied into performance evaluations and I always got an annual bonus in pay.

Might approach your HR department and see if there are any positions available that you can transfer into that provide similar work and higher pay. Most companies these days want to promote from within so you have to look around. If you have a workgroup style environment see if you can transfer to a project with a higher budget and within your skills. Often times just learning new skills and letting your employer know about it can also help increase wages but also increases responsibilities at the same time.

With my previous employer I was fortunate enough to have the automatic raises for performance like Wayne mentioned above.

I was also promoted twice in the 6 years with the company into higher positions based solely on my performance. They promoted me because they knew I was the right person for that role. That's what you need to do. Prove to them that you're indispensable. Make them realise what they would miss should you fall ill or decide to resign. Maybe they think like already? See if you can find out.

Asking for a raise or promotion because you're finding it tough to live off your current earnings is commendable, not selfish.

Good luck with it

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I am going to go for it, whats there to loose? I am currently gathering together a list of accomplishments made over the last few years, official training I've had, and other skills.

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Final Fantasy

All the best!

If you don't get the raise and promotion you want, it might also be time to think about dusting off the resume. This is a harsh market but people with the right skills will always be in demand and as a worker you have to look out for your best interest. Don't have to quit your current job, just put out some feelers.

Well I took some time and I put together a list of accomplishments, training and personal development I've had since I started, reviewed it thuroughly and walked into my managers office to discuss a promition.

I didnt know how I would ask until I actually did and when it came down to it, I simply asked what the company's policies and procedures were regarding promotions.

In retrospect I thought that was a really good way of handling it as it allowed me to plainly state to my intention and interest to my manager without putting them on the defensive as it was only an inquiry.

They didn't even look at the papers and just said that they had no problems whatsoever recommending me for a promotion. There was more of course, but the only other part of interest was that the company has had a freeze on promotions and raises for the last two years and that we will not find out until early next year whether that will continue or not.

So far it looks good and if not, well, I have some great new info for my resume. We shall see what the new year brings.

Thanks for the advice and the good wishes.

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Final Fantasy

Keeping a list of your accomplishments, as well as projects you've worked on specifically, and what the outcome was, are really great references to have when you ask the promotion/raise question. You've gone about it very professionally. Keep us updated on how things go when the new year rolls around.

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