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THE beginning of a new year and decade can be a good time to start fresh and make sure you get paid what you deserve.
Data by jobs website Adzuna saw the average advertised salary reach almost £35,000 at the beginning of 2019, the highest level seen all year.
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But many of us find it awkward and tricky to ask our boss for a pay rise.
Yet if you do it in the right way you could get a sweet boost to your monthly pay slip.
The Sun has asked three recruitment and career experts to find out the best way to get a raise in 2020, and whether the new year is a good opportunity to ask for one.
Andrew Hunter, co-founder of Adzuna, told The Sun: “With the start of a new year and a new decade, there’s no better time to ask for a pay rise.
“If you believe you’re working above your paygrade, are making a valid contribution to the business and are consistently doing good work, then why not ask to be rewarded for it?”
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Meanwhile, James Reed, chairman and chief executive of jobs’ site REED, said he doesn’t believe there’s a particularly good or bad time to get a pay rise, but the timing of when you ask for one is key.
He told The Sun: “If you can tell that your company is going through a tough patch financially and people are being laid off, it’s probably a bad time to be asking for a pay rise.
“But similarly, the opposite is true if things are going well and your company is winning more business – there’s rarely a better time to ask for a pay rise than off the back of winning a new project.
“But, fact of the matter is; if you deserve a pay rise, you should ask for one.”
As Mr Reed writes in his new book “Life’s Work: 12 Proven Ways to Fast Track Your Career”, you have the power to shape your career and pay to reflect what you want and need.
So if you feel like you’re not getting paid enough, follow these expert tips to boost your chances of getting a welcome salary rise in 2020.
1. Do your research and show examples
First and foremost, it’s important you think through the reasons why you deserve a pay rise.
You’ll need to be prepared, and should consider the ways you have gone above and beyond at work and use it as evidence, Mr Reed said.
He added: “This can be anything from delivering on a big project to the extra hours you put in at the weekend when requested.”
Darain Faraz, careers expert at LinkedIn, agrees and suggests making a comparison of where you are now to the last time you had a review to show how you’ve grown in the role.
It’s also worth looking at job adverts for similar roles to your level and comparing what these pay.
He added: “January is when we see a spike of job activity on our platform so it’s a good time to check out lots of new jobs.
“This process may flag up certain skills or experience that you might not be able to currently tick off on your CV, which could potentially be the cause of not getting a raise.”
2. Choose your timing carefully
Once you know how much is realistic to ask for, choose the timing of your meeting with the boss carefully.
Mr Reed said: The business you work for is unlikely to give you more money if it’s already going through financial difficulties, so timing is everything.
“Showing that you understand business pressures will put you in good stead when asking for more money.”
But avoid waiting for too long if your yearly review is months away, said Mr Hunter.
He added: “In terms of timings, while asking for a pay rise during a performance review is a natural fit, don’t limit yourself to this if your next one is months away.
“Instead, take the leap this new year and proactively approach your manager if you think you have enough of a case to present.”
3. Be confident
You’ll have heard it before, but confidence is also key when it comes to asking for a pay rise, said Mr Reed.
In a recent REED survey of 3,000 UK workers, 12 per cent said they were scared of their boss or worried that they’d be turned down.
You can avoid coming across nervous by speaking slowly, making eye contact and by avoiding nervous giggles.
4. Champion yourself
Another way to increase your chances of getting a pay rise is by championing yourself and the work you do.
Mr Faraz said: “We have all known someone in the office who sings their own praises a bit too loudly, but this is something you could learn from if you’re on the hunt for a pay rise, you just need to frame it in the right way.
“By making sure your colleagues and managers are aware of the great work you’re doing and the effort you’re putting into it, it will make them more likely to recommend you for a bigger challenge which may, in turn, result in a raise.”
You could consider sharing updates on networks and websites such as LinkedIn and Twitter.
He added: “It will demonstrate that you’re proud of the work that you’re doing and that you’re really invested in your company both personally and professionally.”
5. Expand your skillset
By expanding your skillset, you’ll also stand out from the crowd and increase your value, said Mr Hunter.
He added: “There are plenty of ways to do this, so make sure you take up any onsite training that may be available or take on new projects to help build your experience, as doing so will only look positive in the eyes of your employer.
“When it comes to the skills that are most valued by employers, an increasing number are looking for their staff to have good ‘soft skills’, such as communication, problem-solving and negotiation.
“Our data shows 24 per cent of job specifications ask for communication skills, but only 17 per cent list this skill on their CV.
“So it’s a good idea to emphasize your proficiency in these areas when asking for a pay rise.”
6. Ask and be prepared for a negative answer
If you’ve prepared your case and the answer is still “no”, don’t take it personally.
Sometimes companies don’t have the money to approve pay rises, or it could seem unfair to other employees.
If that happens, “use this as an opportunity to follow up and ask what more you need to do to earn one,” said Mr Reed.
This way your employer will know that you’re keen to succeed within the business as well as achieving your own goals, added Faraz.
7. Get a new job
If your boss rejects your request, and you’re still convinced you’re underpaid, it might be time to look for a job elsewhere.
Spend some time perfecting your CV and practicing your interview techniques, then your job search can begin.
There are numerous job sites out there to hunt for new work – they include Adzuna, CV-Library, Glassdoor, Indeed, LinkedIn, Monster, and Reed.
In October, the highest and and lowest paid jobs of 2019 were revealed – is yours on the list?
Meanwhile, we’ve made a round-up of the 10 best paid jobs that don’t require a degree – and you could earn up to £71,700.
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