How Can I Build a Strong Case for a Promotion and Salary Increase After a Good Appraisal?

Dear All, I recently had my annual appraisal, and I received a good rating. My boss is thoroughly impressed with my work. However, when I asked for a promotion and a salary hike, he requested me to prepare a case justifying why I deserve these advancements.

Preparing a Case for Promotion and Salary Hike

I understand that I need to discuss my past accomplishments and also demonstrate my potential to succeed in the next role. I would appreciate it if anyone who has faced a similar situation or any senior individuals could provide guidance on any additional points I should include to strengthen my case.

Thank you in advance.

Regards, Uday.

Handling Appraisal Feedback and Promotion Requests

Recently, during the Annual Appraisal in September, it's important to note that an employee shouldn't directly ask their boss why they are not being considered for a salary hike or promotion. Instead, they can seek advice or suggestions on how to improve their skills and performance to enhance their candidacy for promotion and a salary hike. Udey, you have made the same mistake; henceforth, you need to take this very seriously.

Secondly, how can you claim to have received a high rating and appraisal from your boss when you haven't received any hike or acknowledgment? I would suggest expressing your concern and willingness to put in more hard work while seeking his advice and support in this matter.

Thank you for your inputs. I work for a retail company in the Middle East. We have our appraisal discussions in September and salary/promotion reviews in October. I have certainly asked for his suggestions and advice to hone my skills. The culture in the company is more like you get only if you ask.

Thanks again,

Uday

Suggestions for Justifying Promotion and Salary Hike

Further to the suggestions shared by Anil, here's mine:

- List your contributions vis-a-vis the competencies required at the next level.
- Justify a higher pay with a higher value that you agree to deliver for the next annual year.
- Share your growth plan in terms of the learning you have decided for yourself. Share the certifications and degrees that you have planned to pursue in the next financial year, aligned with what is required in the job.
- Include your business leaders to mentor you for the next level. Your efforts will make you eager to be promoted, but it will happen only when you have sponsors for your growth.
- Identify how closely your interest to grow is intertwined with what is available in the company. You might be interested in working in a business role, whereas there may be few open positions in Operations. Identify how this ambiguity aligns with what you want to grow as.
- Look for shadowing opportunities. Request a leader who is ready to mentor you to allow you to shadow roles in which you would like to grow.

These suggestions need to be aligned with the limitations of your situation. Please share them if it allows you to. It will help us to find the best solution for you. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Regards,
Cite Contribution

Dear Uday,

What happened to your company's Promotion Policy and Appraisal Policy? What does it entail regarding the duration and waiting period for every promotion and the grading method adopted for considering the salary hike? Can your demands be accommodated in all the above categories, or are there any special or general exemptions available for such demands like yours? If so, then there are some valid points in your demand.

Hi Uday, good morning! I have been in touch with working methods in the Middle East, and I see through your situation.

First of all, you received a good rating based on your efforts in your individual tasks and challenges associated with your job function. As you are aware, in many Middle Eastern companies, you cannot see attrition and employee movement, which causes saturation in experienced people.

I am unsure of your experience in this company. If you are two years old, then there is no need to mention that you have a five-year working colleague in your team. Though the number of years won't count for a promotion and only hard work speaks, you should also understand what you did exceptionally that might have benefited your management or led you to be on good terms.

You can definitely ask for a "salary hike" for your achievements on your individual goals, given tasks, and exceptional or sincere maintenance of your job functions.

But if you want to approach for a promotion, discuss with your bosses the things that you did along with/for your team (not only you) to benefit the department, improve corporate etiquette, stabilize processes, or add new milestones, etc. When it comes to promotion, understand that the "I" factor should be eliminated, and always approach with "we/us."

You can clearly point out how you started when you joined, how you targeted until your probation, what your strategy is towards the annual appraisal, and what your goals are for the next year's appraisals, who are the potential people in your team whom you can encourage, and what weak points you can target and improve to enhance the department/staff.

Just avoid "I" when you speak of promotion; management never likes this attitude. As you mentioned in your second paragraph, you believe you have the potential to take on the next role, but does this opinion match the management's view?

Always remember to do things without any expectations and never forget that people are observing your actions and words.

Good luck!

Hi Udey, this is just to let you know that I also have worked with the world's best and No.1 retail industry, Carrefour, in my past. I am well familiar with their open culture, environment, and working style, including the attitude and ideology, and when and on what they will react. I just wanted to say that you need to speak to him wisely. You certainly need to show them what you have done, as you mentioned in your earlier post that he is already impressed with your work performance. Just do the same as (Cite Contribution) has suggested you, and don't give your boss a reason to do something like he has done, asking you why you deserve a promotion and a hike in salary.

Thank you so much for your inputs. I have missed out on so many aspects. Let me start working on the points you have given me.

Best Regards,
Uday

Hi Bhaskar, We do have something called Potential Ratings. I was rated as High Potential, which indicates that an employee is ready to be moved into the next role immediately. I have successfully completed all the projects for the year and have taken on additional projects as well. Considering all these points, I made a demand. I felt it is justified for what I have done. Thanks for your valuable inputs.

Best Regards,
Uday

You can work on the inputs submitted by various members as they are more informative. Also, I agree with certain points as posted by (Cite Contribution).

The Give & Take Policy

I would say that our life works on a GIVE & TAKE POLICY. There are very few companies in this world that "PAY WELL AND EXTRACT WELL." I don’t know much about your organization’s standards, including Promotion Policy and Appraisal Policy.

1) As you said, you need to justify yourself in writing, stating what you are capable of and what you wish to achieve within a stipulated period or before the next annual year. Numbers speak for themselves. If your role is linked to revenue generation, please explain how you can contribute your share towards organizational development. Perhaps you understand your boss’s requirements more than your organization’s requirements.

2) Kindly don’t seek or request a promotion without evaluating the whole picture/situation, including yourself (competencies, various skills, etc.).

3) Seek input from your immediate superior and your colleagues to rectify your shortcomings, as everyone needs to adopt CHANGE MANAGEMENT.

4) Be precise when having OPEN DISCUSSIONS with your BOSS.

5) Please be practical and professional in your approach.

If your boss has understood and digested your abilities and capabilities, you will definitely get a chance to prove yourself more than expected.

By the way, would you mind sharing the nationality of your BOSS?

Wish you good luck.

With profound regards

Hi Anil, Thanks for your inputs. I really had forgotten the I/We/Us factors. I appreciate your help. I wish I could share more about my role in the company and the culture, but I'd rather not do it on a public forum.

Best Regards,
Uday.

Looks like Anil is the favorite name on this forum . As you mentioned, I got a good understanding of why my boss wants me to do this exercise. Secondly, all the points mentioned by you are very well taken and are in the process of implementation.

Best Regards,
Uday

Indicate where you were required to perform under extreme pressure and you delivered.

Indicate where you have come up with a new idea, and it worked for the process of the job.

Talk about your positive qualities and how they helped in the progress and delivery of work.

For the New Role

Show your appraiser that you know all about the job.

Show them where you think your qualities fit beautifully in that job, such as "technical, soft skills."

Show them what difference you are going to make should you take on the role (what you are bringing to the table).

Avoid showing what problems you wish to fix.

Please don't sound desperate.

That's what I think.

How to Justify Your Request for a Raise

As (Cite Contribution) said, list down your contributions and tell him you have done well. You feel you deserve appreciation in terms of a raise. Don't feel apologetic about asking for a raise. If you have done good work, you deserve a raise and should be bold enough to ask for it.