Career – Text
Check unknown vocabulary before you read the text:
to deserve – be worthy of, qualified for
raise – an increase in wages, pay, salary
to replace – provide a substitute or equivalent in the place of
valuable – having considerable monetary worth; having qualities
approach – the method used or steps taken in setting about a task or problem
goal – the result or achievement toward which effort is directed; aim; end.
to reward – something given in return for or got from work done, good behaviour
figure out – understand; solve
shy – lacking confidence in the presence of others, especially strangers; not wanting to attract attention
to remind – make (a person) remember
to contribute – give (money, help etc) along with others
achievement – something accomplished successfully
worth – having a value of; important enough to justify
SMART WAYS TO GET A RAISE
Do you deserve a raise? If you left the company, how easy or hard would it be for the company to replace you?
If you don't have direct responsibility for a profit-and-loss statement, or aren't a salesperson, it isn't always easy to show your boss you deserve a raise. Still, you can become more visibly valuable. Start doing certain things six months to a year before you're going to ask for a raise. There are three basic approaches you might try:
Help other people fulfill their potential - especially your boss. If you can find ways to help the people directly above you not only meet their goals but also look good in front of their bosses, they will want to reward you. Fix something. Identify a system or a procedure that doesn't work very well and figure out how to improve it. If you take initiative and take action, it will be clear that you're valuable, even if you can't quantify it. Get something started. Become a 'go-to' person.
If you've already done one or more of these things, don't be shy about reminding your boss of what you have contributed. Writing down a list of your achievements and improvements over the past year may help you to stay focused. Then, sit down with your boss and explain why you believe you're worth more.