How to get a salary hike even in downturn

With the economic slowdown playing havoc with the job market, the high salaries and bonuses witnessed two-three years ago came crashing down. However, the situation is improving now. Companies are back to their hiring ways and the job market is again showing some activity. People are applying for new jobs and seeking better salary offers. Many firms who had earlier put a freeze on salary hikes and compensation review are now mulling to reverse that. Businesses have started to witness revenue trickling in and the benefits are expected to be passed on to the employees. However, all this does not guarantee a salary hike for you. Salary hike at any point of time depends on many other things too, other than the business situation.

Whether you're already in a job or looking for a new job, you can still get more salary than what you already earn. You can rev up your compensation by taking the right moves and presenting yourself well in front of your boss or interviewer. You need to be flexible, smart and need to have your timing right. Other than being a hard worker, you also need to be a smart worker. You need to prove to your employer what your worth is. Just sitting and contemplating about your accomplishments and capabilities will not change the amount on your pay check. So, have proof of what you have achieved and be ready to furnish it at the right time and the right place. If the financial position of your employer is already tight, he would anyway be reluctant to dole out higher cash benefits. So, you have to be tactful enough to be able to extract them.

In normal work routine in a job, your boss might not immediately notice and acknowledge your accomplishments. If everything at the workplace is going smoothly, your boss will become complacent about individual contributions and take them for granted. This can result in your good work going unnoticed. Thus, you should be ready to enlist your specific achievements in every project or important milestone and keep reminding your boss of the same. You might have helped increase the sales or, made operations smoother and more efficient or helped garner positive response from clients. All this amounts to big and small achievements that must be brought to the notice of your supervisor. Have proof for all your achievements and present it to people who matter. If possible, try to put your achievements in numbers or direct quotes from clients. This will have a better impact.

If you are an active job seeker and looking for a job in any sector, may be engineering jobs , marketing jobs or bpo jobs , you need to highlight the achievements of your career effectively during the interview. If you are able to showcase a good track record throughout your work history, it will create an impressive case for you and the hiring manager would want to take you on board at whatever cost. That way, you can quote a realistic but high salary for yourself and get your way. You should also study the market before quoting just any amount. This will give you a realistic picture and according to your experience, qualifications and skill sets, you can quote the right amount of salary for yourself. If you are able to present your competence at the right time and in the right manner, a salary hike is bound to come your way.