Interpreting ‘the news’
If you get a pay rise then congratulations. If you make a strong case then there is a good chance you will get what you are after.
However, if you get bad news, make sure you have a “reaction plan” ready. You don’t want to freak out and say something you will regret. If you are willing to move jobs, then that’s the plan but do it to your timetable. For those who want to stay put without looking like a push over, then the plan should be to ask for a non-pay reward.
Possibilities include time off to study, internal training or financial support for an external course, parking, a laptop or a company mobile phone.
Your strong performance over the last year has to be the starting point. The rewards should be linked to improving your work performance over the next year.
Also, you can tell a lot by the way your boss delivers “bad” news. If the answer is: ‘We can’t give you an increase right now but let’s look at it in three months then he or she probably means it. If you get an outright ‘no’ then think about changing jobs.