Ask For More

Darts, a photo by Willow&Monk on Flickr.

We desire abundance in all areas of our lives, and wanting more in our careers is no exception. We contemplate more responsibility, more autonomy, and certainly more money.

But it’s been proven that having more doesn’t necessarily make us happier. That’s why we need to be sure of what we want—we need to be more selective about the parts of our careers that matter the most, and put our energy in getting it with a laser-like focus. But how do we ask for it?

Don’t undersell yourself when you deserve a bigger salary.  You might be so grateful to get a job offer that you forgot your value. If you’re accustomed to asking for less, you may not know how to break the habit. Women are often hard-wired this way.

Do your due diligence long before you get an offer. Talk to recruiters and hiring managers to learn the appropriate salary range for your job level. Rely less on online salary surveys that are often bloated to promote the website’s agenda. When an offer arrives, take a chance and ask for more salary. Remember that the hiring manager has already decided you are the one they want. If you ask for more salary professionally and politely, conveying your never-ending enthusiasm for the new job, all they can say is no. But they’ll still want to hire you.

Negotiate a better work-life balance.  There’s good news about asking for perks like working from home a few days a week or working a four-day work week. In a shaky economy, companies clamor for non-monetary ways to reward employees. Consolidating office real estate saves the company money and actually increases productivity.

If you’ve decided that this kind of arrangement is a good fit for you, make sure you frame your telecommuting proposal in a way that benefits your boss. Telling her how it will end your lousy commute, or help you care for an aging parent is the wrong approach. Instead, propose how well-suited your job is to telecommuting, enabling you to be more focused and productive.

Describe your home office setup and how easily you can slide into a work-from-home arrangement. Of course, this only makes sense if you’ve already proven (in past jobs or in your current one) that you’re most successful when you work independently.

Make the leap from individual contributor to managing others. It seems the natural progression, doesn’t it?  It’s the most frequent answer I get when I ask my job candidates what they visualize for the next step in their career. Adopting a top down perspective isn’t for those who prefer individual recognition for their work.

 But if you’re ready to make the leap, put yourself in the best light by showing that you understand the team’s top priorities. Ask for projects that challenge you to surpass everyone’s expectations. Give evidence that you see the “big picture” vs. your own personal success. Introduce yourself to managers and make contributions to other leaders beyond your immediate team. During your review, let managers know you have interest in a leadership role, and ask for the company support and mentorship you need to make the transition. Plant the idea so that you can avail yourself of any training the company offers in management skills. Look for projects where you can lead. Ask for a mentor. Develop an action plan that will accelerate you to the management seat.

Don’t be afraid to ask. It’s worth it, if it’s important enough to you.