Chances are you are reading this article because you want the raise of your dreams.
There are concrete steps you can take to get the process in motion. Sitting back, waiting for the firm to take all the action is most definitely a career rear-ender. Why? You become a victim to your circumstan- ces. The firm has all the power and you have no- thing. It’s now the right time to take action and become the leader and commander of your career.
Here are 10 steps you can take to help ensure a posi- tive review and great raise:
1. Don’t assume the firm knows what you accomplis- ed over the year. Make a list of specific accomplish- ments. The written evaluations handed out to attorneys and supervisors are not always the best tools to prompt memories of why you deserve a raise. In fact, anyone evaluating you can only remember what you did over the past three months, not the entire year. You need to prepare the firm for your evaluation, not the other way around.
2. If you think you deserve
more money, be prepared to prove it. Remember, you’re in a law firm. You’ll have to prove your case. You need to show your boss the value you added to the firm and point out specific instances you went above and beyond the call of duty.
Ideally, you should keep a log of significant contri- butions made over the year. Show how you contributed to the win of a case, found a significant witness, help-ed on a major merger, or showed leadership under pressure. Use as many details as possible, such as numbers and facts. Take at least five - six of the biggest impact contribu- tions and present them in a bulleted list.
If your job description has changed over the past year or you've taken on added responsibilities, include those with your list of accomplishments. If you've recently completed training or received an advanced degree that benefits the firm, point that out. To drive home your case, copy emails or memos from supervisors, clients or
colleagues praising your performance.
3. Remember: your pay raise is based on your contribution to the firm over and beyond the norm. It is not based on tenure or years of experience. You are not entitled to one simply because another year has passed.
Just because you have 10 years of experience with the firm does not mean you should get a raise. You don’t get a raise for hang- ing in there, suiting up and showing up each day. Nor do you get a raise for doing your job.
You’re expected to do your job. That’s why you’re getting the salary you’re getting now. You get a raise for going beyond the norm.
4. Do you know if you are profitable? Are you a paralegal who exceeded minimum hourly billables? If you only met required hours, you did not do anything outstanding. How much time was written off? These numbers can be an indicator of quality of work. product.
I
Ace Your Review
No one remembers what you accomplished more than 3 months ago.
04