15 Steps to Getting a Raise Before the End of 2021

There are plenty of good reasons for wanting a raise. Boosting your income could make it easier to manage your bills, fund your retirement plan, and meet other financial goals. Plus, the more money you earn, the more you can invest. If you're hoping to score a pay increase before the end of the year, here are some essential moves to make.

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Maybe you were hired to develop software, or to troubleshoot technical issues. If you want to see your pay go up, make an effort to boost the skills that are specific to your role.

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Some skills are job specific, while others apply to any role. These are known as soft skills, and they entail things like being a good communicator and paying attention to detail. Growing these could pave the way to a raise as well.

A good way to make yourself more valuable at work is to learn a skill that only you know. Bringing that unique ability to the table could translate to more money.

Managers tend to reward employees who embrace challenges. If you want a raise, raise your hand the next time a new opportunity arises. That way, your volunteerism will be fresh in your boss's mind when you ask for more money.

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Being known as a team player could work wonders for your reputation. Step in to pick up the slack when your colleagues are out or need a helping hand. It's something your manager might take into account when deciding whether you merit more pay.

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A professional certification could end up being a great investment. For a few hundred dollars and a few hours of your time over the next couple of months, you could set yourself up to earn more money.

Having a good relationship with your boss could be your ticket to a higher paycheck. Make sure to check in with your manager often and pay attention to any guidance you're given.

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If you got a formal performance review last year, now's the time to revisit that feedback. If you can show your manager that you took those directives to heart, it could make the case for a bump in pay.

Some companies give out year-end raises as a matter of course. If yours doesn't, don't assume it's off the table. Instead, schedule a conversation with your manager to talk money.

Asking for a raise isn't easy. But if you approach that conversation prepared, you'll be more likely to have success. To this end, research salary data to see how your paycheck stacks up. If you can show that the average person in your role makes more than you do, that alone could fuel your argument for a raise.

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When you sit down with your manager to talk salary, don't be too modest. Your goal is to get more money, and to that end, you'll need to highlight your personal wins from the past year and the skills you bring to the table. You shouldn't shy away from self-promotion.

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There may be roles opening up at your company that allow you to take on more responsibility. Snagging one could be your ticket to a raise, so don't be afraid to network internally and go after those opportunities.

Sometimes, your best bet for boosting your income is to go out and work for a new employer. See what openings are out there, because another company may be more willing to pay a premium to lure you in.

If your company refuses to raise your pay, that doesn't mean you're out of luck. If you're willing to take on a side gig on top of your main job, you can carve out a raise for yourself -- one that's potentially quite generous. There are so many different side hustles you can choose from, so think about what sort of gig will work best for your schedule. And if you can turn a hobby into a paying gig, even better.

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Your earnings at your current job may be limited. And so if you want to snag a raise this year, your best bet may be to venture out on your own. That way, you can set your own workload and rates and potentially boost your pay quite a lot in the process.

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A raise could change your financial picture for the better, so don't hesitate to go after higher pay. If you play your cards right, you could be sitting on a heftier paycheck by the time 2022 begins.

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