How to Get a Raise or Promotion in Tech

Choosing a career in the tech industry can be both rewarding and challenging. As you gain experience, it’s important to make sure you are getting paid what you’re worth and continuing to advance in your career. Whether you’re aiming for a raise or a promotion, it’s important to take a strategic approach so you can make a persuasive case to your manager and leadership team. Here are five essential tips to help you get a raise or promotion:

Showcase Your Achievements

To stand out for a raise or promotion, it’s crucial to demonstrate your value to your team and company. Keeping a detailed record of your awards and accomplishments is a great place to start. This will allow you to highlight important projects you’ve worked on or managed and showcase any measurable impacts you’ve made.

Other achievements you can mention when it’s time to have the conversation include ways you’ve improved processes or efficiencies, technologies you’ve introduced to the team, and solutions you developed. If you can speak to any specific metrics that made an impact such as cost reduction, improved timeliness of projects or tickets, etc. can also help you show your worth.

Enhance Your Skillset

Because the tech industry changes rapidly, it’s essential to keep enhancing your skills so you can stay up to date. Investing in your professional development through continuous education and new certifications will help you get promoted and earn more as you advance. Depending on your specialty within the tech field, there may be a variety of paths you can take to enhance your skills. Look for industry standard certifications and online courses through reputable institutions for formal educational routes. You can also gain new skills and network with other professionals through webinars, workshops, and conferences.

Seek Feedback

Regular feedback can provide valuable insights into your performance and help you pinpoint areas for improvement. Actively seek constructive feedback from your supervisor and peers to help you find your weaknesses and strengths. Take advantage of regular check-ins with your manager and team to see if there is anything else you could be doing or learning. Most importantly, take the feedback you receive seriously and work on making improvements. Bolstering your abilities and experience by working on areas for improvement will help make you a more valuable team member.

Take on Leadership Roles and Responsibilities

Demonstrating your leadership potential is another important component to getting certain promotions. You can show that you are ready to take on more of a leadership role by looking for opportunities to lead projects, mentor colleagues, or the chance to take on additional responsibilities. By demonstrating your ability to collaborate with others, share your knowledge, and willingness to tackle more difficult work, you can show your manager that you are ready to start working at the next level.

Discuss Your Career Goals

It’s important that you don’t assume your manager knows you’re interested in a promotion. By communicating about your career aspirations, your manager will be able to help you achieve your goals by providing opportunities for you to enhance your skills or take on more responsibility. You don’t need to limit these conversations to your performance review time either. Check in with your manager regularly to discuss your goals and the career path possible within your organization.

Ready to Take the Next Step in Your Career?

If you haven’t been able to get a raise or promotion in your IT current job and are now in the market for a new role, you should check out our current open roles and apply today! Our team is ready to match proven technology professionals like you with contract, contract-to-hire, and direct hire job opportunities around the U.S.