You finally found the job you’ve been searching for, breezed through the interview, negotiated a salary and ultimately got the job. You’re excited and scared and the same time, but now your focus has turned to: how to get a raise in three months of work. You may think it’s impossible, but it’s actually easier than you think.
Your new employer has already shown commitment by hiring you. They obviously believe that you will be a valuable asset for them, but they don’t know it yet because you haven’t started working there. When you do start, your first priority is to be enthusiastic. This will get you on the right track to your first pay raise when you show them that you want to be there and are happy to get your career under way. Most companies review employees within the first three months of employment. With our advice, you will prove your value and be well on your way to getting a raise in three months.
Arrive early, leave late
Sure, this might sound easy and you may think that you already know this stuff, but you should ask yourself if you are willing to do it. Coming in five minutes early and leaving five minutes late won't do you any good. Arrive at least 30 minutes early and leave 30 minutes late every other day. We're not advising you to give up your social life and completely concentrate on your work life, but an extra hour here and there will go a long way. In those early mornings or late evenings at the office, send an e-mail to your boss, as he will see what time the messages were sent and will know you were putting in extra time. Your boss will remember if you are the first at your desk and the last to leave. If you put in a solid effort week after week during your probationary period, you will be noticed. And when your review happens, you will be in a good position to get a raise in three months.
Prove your worth
This seems too obvious to even be mentioned, but if you don’t prove yourself, you’re not going to get a raise in three months. You must exceed your goals to show that your presence adds value to the company. Dictionary.com defines a goal as “the result or achievement toward which effort is directed,” and you don’t want to set too many goals, because your boss will prefer quality to quantity. Once you have achieved your goals, document them so that when review time comes around, you can show your boss exactly what your worth. Some examples of professional achievements include: cost savings, productivity improvement, important projects, and budgets achieved or exceeded.
Volunteer
You might ask yourself why you should volunteer at work when there are so many organizations out there looking for help. The reason is to show that your interest in the company isn’t just from nine to five and when there’s a paycheck involved. We’re not advising you to work for free 10 hours a week, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get involved and go the extra mile. Try taking on different tasks and duties, such as organizing a team lunch at a local restaurant. You can even organize a potluck at work; these are always fun and they create a good bonding experience for your colleagues. In addition to organizing team outings, lots of companies look for volunteers within their ranks to help out with humanitarian efforts from time to time. This could involve planting flowers at a local women’s center or volunteering at a company golf tournament that raises money for cancer. This is a great way to not only give back to the community, but to also show your superiors that you care.
Ask for the raise
As the saying goes “if you ask, you shall receive” -- hopefully. The three-month evaluation is a good time to re-evaluate your salary based on the value you’ve already shown to the company. If your company doesn’t have a three-month review, try setting up a general meeting with your boss; this shows that you are thinking outside the box. Before your meeting/review, have a pay increase goal in mind that merits your efforts and contributions to the company. If you’re not sure how much to ask for, there are resources on the internet, such as Salary.com, has good advice on what salary you should be making and what general pay increases should be.
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