Engy

I've been reading a lot of your career advices and it really gave me guidance In loads of issues. I’m working as a marketing & training assistant director in one of the big British publishing houses-Egypt office. I’ve been working there for 17 months now. Actually I’ve been paid the same salary for more than 3 years now. I mean that I’ve been earning the same amount in my previous job. I’m having my appraisal meeting next Sunday and I want to ask for a raise. When I 1st joined the job, I was promised a raise after one year. So I was supposed to receive it in September 2007, but I received nothing. My current salary is 2500 EGP and I’m planning to ask for a 1000 EGP. How can I ask for this raise in a proper way? Please note that I’m now studying a certificate of management in the American university in Cairo which is completely relevant to my job. The company I’m working for is not paying a penny in these studies. I didn’t ask them to share and they didn’t offer. The total cost for this certificate is 7000 EGP. And I’m planning to do a marketing one in the same university. I also, wasn’t told of a bonus scheme on how my bonus is going to be calculated. I want to write one to discuss with my boss but I don’t know how? Or should I ask my boss to give me one?

Dear Engy,
I know how sensitive an issue like asking for a raise is!! However, it does not always have to be so.
 
Unfortunately, sometimes we don't make everything clear when it comes to financial arrangements when joining employers, and then find ourselves completely unsatisfied and not knowing how to solve this problem.
 
Well Engy, I always believe that the shortest line is the straight one. This is why I advise you to openly discuss this issue with your manager ASAP. Before that, be completely honest with yourself Engy, & evaluate your options properly. With that I mean:
 
1.     Evaluate your performance; i.e. do you think you're doing a good job and you deserve this raise? Does your manager think so too?
2.    What are you going to do if your manager refuses to give you this raise? What alternatives can you accept? Are you willing to look for another job or are you happy where you are and therefore ready to compromise?
 
Try to imagine how the conversation will look like and how your manager is going to react and be ready with alternatives to offer him in case he does not agree with your recommendations.
 
Good luck with this endeavor, and please let us know how it worked.
 
Best regards,
 
Mona Khairy
General Manager
MULTISKILLS