How To Get a Raise by Increasing Your Office Marketability

Even in uncertain economic times, it makes sense to market your skills and talents and to showcase them to best effect within the office environment. Women can increase their marketability in a number of ways including working toward an advanced degree, networking with others in the field, taking ownership of various aspects of the job and maintaining superior work habits throughout the business day. By incorporating some of these ideas into your daily office routine, you can achieve more and ensure you’re your accomplishments are recognised when evaluation time rolls around.

Further your education
Most professional jobs require a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field at a minimum. Completing an advanced degree in the field of endeavour can demonstrate commitment to the career path and an interest in bettering yourself on behalf of your company. The Australian Bureau of Statistics indicated that, as of 2009, 27% of all people aged 25 to 64 held higher education qualifications and 63% held either vocational qualifications or higher education qualifications. This figure continues to rise annually, illustrating the competitive nature of the modern workplace and highlighting the necessity to set yourself apart from the crowd in the workplace. Online courses make achieving an advanced degree easier and more convenient than ever before, so completing that Master’s or Doctoral degree need not wait any longer.

Networking
By maintaining close contact with other like-minded individuals within your organization and in your career field, you can take advantage of the power of networking to jump-start your career. Whether you seek a mentoring relationship or simply want to compare notes with other women in the same field of endeavour, you can often obtain valuable advice and feedback that can help you get ahead in your current job.

Own your own job
Taking responsibility for your job duties and pulling your own weight is an important way to market yourself in the workplace. By demonstrating a willingness to accept the blame when things go wrong as well as the praise when things go well, you can establish a solid reputation within the company and ensure that your hard work is noticed. Another element of owning your own work is to maintain records on what you accomplish each week; rather than waiting for your supervisor to evaluate you, evaluate yourself and your performance and look for areas in which you can improve. This can help you develop the skills you need to achieve more and be promotable within the company.

Maintain good work habits
Dressing for the job you want is only part of the equation for success in the workplace. A willingness to work late and put in extra time when job responsibilities require it is one way to demonstrate your commitment to the company and its goals. Practicing professional courtesy and proper business decorum at all times is also an essential element of workplace behaviour and can help you avoid making a bad impression on those you most need to impress.

By showing a willingness to put the needs of the company first, you can often get the raise and the promotion you need to get ahead in the business world. This can help you get the most from your career and achieve the position and recognition you deserve.

Dunya Carter is a marketing specialist from Brisbane, Australia who writes articles for several blogs in her free time.