Start Considering How To Get A Raise This Holiday Season

New Year, New Salary: How HR Professionals Can Make More Money in 2019

December is a busy time in any office. The upcoming holidays give the office festive air with office parties, gifts, and upcoming vacations. If we’re really being honest, people aren’t giving work their fullest attention. But if you’re looking back at 2018 and feel disappointed with your salary and even your end-of-year bonus, perhaps this is exactly the time to hunker down and do some planning so you can successfully obtain your personal financial goals for 2019.

It’s all about the details

Human resources professionals are in a unique position as they’re positions often cover a wide range of areas. Payroll, recruiting, managing benefits, and cultivating company culture are just a few of the many responsibilities of the HR team. Make a document not only mentioning the major tasks but also include everything that falls under a specific category. For example, under the broader task of “company culture” include points related, such as: defining company culture, implementing new programs to bridge the gap between workers and upper management, the creation of a system to involve employee input in company decisions, management of company celebrations, and so on. When requesting a raise you’ll want to present all your tasks to the fullest, be sure management knows just how much is on your plate. After all, sometimes they may not know if you don’t tell them directly.

Timing is everything

In the middle of the office holiday party and a few egg nogs in is probably not the best time to approach your boss and let him know you’ve been unhappy with your salary. Consider your company’s financial schedule as well as their reviews policy. In early January is a time when they begin to build a plan for the coming year, then request an in-person meeting for the beginning of the month after everyone is back from the holidays. Prepare for the break and be sensitive to the timing as it will help your chances of getting a direct answer.

Come Prepared

What are the chances your bosses will immediately agree to your request? Honestly– slim. Like any good negotiator, you should arrive at the meeting with options. Present a few stellar ideas for improving weak areas. For example, if you’re an HR manager tasked with recruiting you can suggest opportunities to reduce the time, energy and funds spent on recruitment. Recruiters LineUp is a great startup that matches HR managers with the right recruiters for their specific search, and it’s free! Do your research and bring new ideas, programs, and resources to the conversation. If you cannot receive the full amount you’d like, then consider requesting a day where you can work from home instead or request opportunities or classes to further advance your skills. If you cannot increase the bottom line payment, you can at least add to the quality of the position.

Keep it professional

This meeting is about you seeking monetary recognition of all the amazing work that you do. If your desire to request a raise came from a personal issue, try to avoid talking about it. Focus on explaining in a clear and efficient manner all of your HR tasks and responsibilities. Remaining professional allows everyone to keep emotions out of the situation and focus in a logical and reasonable manner on what you deserve.

Go get em!

Take time to compile your responsibilities, tasks, and achievements over the holidays. Emerge from the break renewed, refreshed, and determined to begin the path toward making a higher salary in 2019. Our world would be a more difficult place without thoughtful and hard-working human resources teams. From our family to yours, we’re wishing you a fun and festive month of December!