You Can Get a Raise by 2020. Take These 11 Steps

We all want to make more money at work. If your goal is to snag a raise by the time the new year kicks in, you should know that it’s more than possible -- if you go about it strategically. Here are some critical moves that’ll increase your chances of seeing a pay boost by 2020.

Offering to handle small tasks is something your boss will appreciate, but if you’re set on earning more money next year, you’ll have to think bigger. The next time a major initiative at work hits your radar, jump on it. Ask to take charge. If you do, your manager will no doubt be impressed.

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You’ll be more likely to snag a raise if your boss regards you as someone who’s truly indispensable. To this end, be sure to stay late once or twice in the coming weeks when your team needs help, or even volunteer to come in on a weekend to assist in a pinch. Sacrificing a little time to be the hero could pay off in a very big way.

Sometimes, it’s the little things that can really make a difference when you’re seeking more money. If you get better about small details to the point where your overall performance improves, there’s a good chance you’ll be rewarded financially for it.

Whether it’s in the context of coming into the office in the morning or arriving at meetings throughout the day, being on time sends the message that you respect your colleagues and manager, and that you’re a responsible employee on a whole. And that’s a good way to start building a case for more money.

The right attitude at work can set you up for monetary success. If you make a point to approach stressful situations confidently and avoid complaining, you could get rewarded for that good behavior.

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Maybe your team is lacking someone who’s proficient in a certain software; or maybe there are no good public speakers on your team. No matter the specifics, identify a core skill your team is lacking, and be the person to pick up the slack. In doing so, you’ll add serious value that your boss will likely feel compelled to reward.

Chances are, your boss gave you some pointers during last year’s performance review -- specifically, areas to improve upon. Take some time to revisit that review, and aim to address the shortcomings that were highlighted back then. If you do, your boss will see that you’ve truly made an effort to get better at your job.

You shouldn’t just sit around waiting for your boss to offer you more money, because if you’re too passive, it may not happen. Instead, schedule time with your manager to discuss a pay boost. Not only that, but go in with a specific number so that your boss has something to work with.

You’ll be more likely to land a raise if you can prove to your manager that you earn less than what you should be making. Before requesting a raise, do some research to see how your salary stacks up. Sites like Glassdoor let you compare salary data by job title and geographic region, so do some digging and put hard data in front of your boss to make your case.

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The last thing you want to do when asking for a raise is wing it. Before sitting down to talk salary with your boss, make a list of your accomplishments and the skills you’ve improved on during the year. Highlight the ways you’ve added value to your company, and if you have hard numbers to back up those claims, even better. Just as importantly, practice your pitch ahead of time so you’re more confident when you deliver it live.

Some people assume that the best time to request a raise is when the year is almost over. But if you wait that long, you’ll risk losing out. By then, your department may already have all of its resources allocated, so set up that meeting sometime in October or November, when there’s still time to play around with budgets.

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