As the year is coming to an end, many corporate companies are buzzing with the word 'appraisal'. With major organizations and e-commerce firms reshuffling their employee structure to raise competency or opting for cost-cutting amidst a bleak job scenario, the much-awaited hike is looming in the dark. Although every company has its own criteria to evaluate employee performance and prepare an appraisal list, the basic fundamentals to determine this remain almost the same. Also, it is the time of the year when your colleagues or peers are considering changing jobs to try their luck for a bigger package. With so many things happening around, the mind is bound to go fuzzy with questions like 'What is the current industry value for my position?,' 'What are my future goals?' or 'Do I need to stick to current workplace or make a switch?.' Decluttering all these thoughts and seeking chance to prove your worth with an open mind can assist in securing a fair hike without job hopping this year. Here are ways in which you can become a prolific and important employee as well as get a raise in the current organization.

Steps That Could Secure a Good Salary Hike

5 Steps for a "Good Salary" hike are :

1. File your achievements :

Before you fix that appointment to discuss your impending hike with the boss, gather facts and figures. In this way, you will have strong reasons to prove that why you are worth of a hike in salary, and it also reflects your enthusiasm for the company's future. Maintaining a record of significant accomplishments avoids recency bias and the boss cannot refute hardwork you have put in to get those impressive results. You are trying to make an impact with the whole entity, so do your homework well.

2. Go beyond the KRAs :

Sticking to work ethics and concentrating only on tasks assigned to you could be a major reason for your pending pay hike. If you are a team player and the 'go-to' person amongst colleagues from different departments for the most trivial problems, it could be the deciding trait between a good and an average increment. Having attributes like flexibility, multi-tasking attitude and ability to become the right hand of your boss, he or she would definitely become dependable on such a trusted employee and would not want the person to leave the organization at any cost. If you are a reliable and trustworthy person, rests assured you will get your worth.

3. Become a solution finder :

While workplace challenges are normal and the client demands can be absurd, no boss would appreciate an employee who only talks about problems and impossibilities. If an employee is constantly making mistakes or demotivating others to find a solution, the boss wouldn't hesitate to show him/her the door. Imagining out of the box and thinking new solutions will make you a commendable employee and get you in the forefront for a salary hike. Employees with problem solving skills always have a favorable position in boss's mind.

4. Be in good books of the boss :

Staying committed to work and being punctual are small things but are definitely noticed. If you have been a consistent and an exceptional performer, but receive no particular comment from boss, chances are you are lacking in efforts. Determine where you are lagging and what is being expected. Understand your bonding with the boss and try to build a good rapport. You need not become a complete flatterer just to impress, but being on good terms with boss can go a long way in getting a promotion.

5. Assess and reinvent your skills :

Taking efforts to track your productivity levels not only helps the boss to understand the quality of efforts you are putting in but also assists to grow professionally. Constantly upgrading your skills and keeping abreast of the latest developments in your field will give you an upper hand over others and the company will take the right steps to retain you.

Employers keep an eye on employees who are investing time in their career by doing professional certifications without organizational support. Give hints to boss that you are ready to take new challenges. Know the rationale process and the percentage salary hike given in your office before setting up an appointment with the boss.

Overcome Gaps in Work History

Functional resume:

Mention years instead of months on your resume:

Mention extracurricular activities and skills that you acquired during that period:

Cover letter:

Reference letter:

Initially, the exchange between an employer and a laborer was only confined to the exchange of service for goods, and later, for money when the whole idea of currency came into the picture. Thus the only satisfaction that the laborer received was being able to put supper on his table with the wages that he earned. However, in recent times, it's not just the money or incentives that an employee expects.

Keys to Job Satisfaction

The Employee Also Looks For Certain Level Of Job Satisfaction :

Thus self-awareness is imperative while choosing a career path and in accruing job satisfaction associated with it. So the degree of job satisfaction is in direct proportion to the clarity of thought on interests that an individual possesses. Thus, pursuing career out of your own interest wouldn't let the feeling of toiling creeps in while you work and subsequently result in higher levels of job satisfaction.

2. Priorities :

Priorities of individuals depend on their mental conditioning and upbringing. For some, choosing a career path would be purely based on the dexterity they pose, while for others, it could be with the intent of amassing wealth, or selflessly working for a social cause. In that case if one happens to have complacency with their job, they need to factor in their priorities while making a career choice.

3. Work-life balance :

The magnitude of belligerent competition has given companies a run for their money. Thus the employees of the companies are at the receiving end of this massive onslaught. Despite pursuing a career of their choice, individuals find themselves doing work which is monotonous and involves a lot of drudgery. There is a spike in the number of neurologists, therapists, and spiritual guides if certain reports are to be believed. Thus it can be inferred that there are augmented levels of stress and discontent amongst the working class, And consequently, a dismal rate of job satisfaction. Thus companies these days have ingeniously come up with policies that nurture a proper work-life balance, out of which granting options like work from home, paid maternity leave, offering flexible working hours and lucrative holiday packages would ensure a good work-life balance and subsequently higher levels of job satisfaction. Thus the fact that work-life balance plays a critical role in mental and physical well-being of a person, it is vital that you weigh in its importance.

4. Maintain cordial relations at workplace :

According to a Harvard research done on individuals, the most significant factor that contributes to a happy life is - maintaining healthy relationships. During the course of our lives we approximately spend 40 years working, which is almost half of our lifetime. Thus a major part of our life is spent in nexus with our coworkers. The people that surround us have a significant influence on our overall psyche. Thus it can have a positive impact on you, your work and your social life depending on the extent to which you are congenial to your fellow workers. Respect your colleagues, and they will do the same, help them in the need of the hour, respect their opinions, and they would never let you down. The efforts that you put will reap benefits by maintaining a healthy social and professional life and bring in a great deal of job satisfaction.

5. Having a positive and a progressive attitude :

Having a positive attitude towards your work can be a significant differentiation. Following the principles of honesty and sincerity along with a sense of responsibility that one carries can yield great incentives. Thus the amount of respect and recognition that you wield, would bring in higher levels of job satisfaction. Thus it would compel you to take up new responsibilities and make you an asset to the company.

Thus job satisfaction is an important part of the bargain between the employee and the employer. It is advisable on the employees' part to have a proactive contribution in achieving the same. However, it is not a one-way exchange, and the onus lies equally on the employer to provide job satisfaction to their employees. A higher degree of job satisfaction amongst the employees would make them more productive, and potential contributors to the company.