Q: I know that times are hard and my company wants to keep costs down, but I feel I did very well for the company last year. How can I go about discussing a pay increment or even a promotion with my boss?

A: The first step is to have a meeting with your boss to discuss your performance for last year.

You may have performed very well but the company may have fallen short, which means you may not get the pay increment you expect.

Promotions and increments are not out of the question if the company has opportunities to offer. But if you have not shown an interest in pursuing them, you may get overlooked.

Hence, it is essential to voice your desire to take on new challenges. However, it is equally important not to 'demand' or 'expect' to get those opportunities.

Before the discussion, map out your discussion points by considering these questions:

Is there a specific career opportunity that you are looking at and, if so, can you articulate clearly why you deserve that opportunity over your peers?

If there is no opportunity now, will it arise later?

Are there any gaps in your skills that will deter your boss from moving you into that role?

Will your boss consider you in a year's time for that role? What will the company do to get you there?

Sometimes, you merely need to have a conversation with your boss to know where you stand. Be sure to let him know you are eager to climb the career ladder.

On the salary issue, it might not be within your boss' authority to grant you an increment. What we are seeing in this economic climate is that companies are becoming very selective about who gets increments. But for those deemed critical to the organisation, they may get a small raise.

Andrea Ross

Managing director, Robert Walters Singapore

This article was first published in The Straits Times.