Asking for a pay raise begins well before you even start the conversation, explains Kirstie McDermott.
If you’re feeling a pinch in your pocket right now, it’s not surprising. Many Austalians are, particularly now because in the September 2022 quarter, all five of its living cost indexes (LCIs) rose, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
The Bureau says that over the past twelve months all LCIs rose by between 6.3% and 6.7%. For those in employment, a category the bureau tracks, mortgage interest charges are driving higher expenditure, and supply chain disruptions, increased transport and input costs, and floods have also been affecting the price of food and eating out.
Energy costs too have risen, and overall, this group has seen the highest quarterly rise of 2.6%. It is also the largest rise for this group since the September 2000 quarter. The net result is that workers have far less disposable income. And while the government made a once-off Cost of Living Payment of $250 in March, for many, the solution to having more money to spend may lie in asking for a pay rise.
The beauty industry itself isn’t immune from the current challenges facing all industries – prices of raw materials are rising, which affects bottom lines, especially in manufacturing – but it has long been considered to be one of the more recession-proof sectors.
Plan in advance
So if you do decide to ask your manager for a pay increase, how should you go about it? Baroness Karren Brady, CBE, British business executive and television personality, spoke recently at the Women in Business and Tech conference in London. She explained that just because you ask for a raise, it doesn’t mean you deserve one.
“Getting a raise starts long before you ask for one,” she said. This means you lay the groundwork for your request far in advance, becoming your own best advocate at work.
While many of us find it hard to be a cheerleader for our own work, Brady insists this is necessary. “Remind people of things you’ve done and tell people of every little thing you’ve achieved,” she says. This has the effect of placing you front and centre in your manager’s mind and will hopefully get you noticed within the wider business too.
The next step is to be visible and helpful. “No one wants to work with unenthusiastic people so be enthusiastic,” she stresses. “Go above and beyond, find out what’s happening in the company. Build a network, make sure people know who you are.”
This is the groundwork you need to do, the Baroness says. “That paves the way to get a raise.”
Whether you decide to stay put and do the work to get that salary bump or cut your losses and go elsewhere, there are plenty of great opportunities across the beauty industry to explore on the Professional Beauty Job Board. Below, we’re exploring three open roles.
Beauty Lab Zone Manager – Maxima Bondi (Full Time), Mecca Brands Pty Ltd, NSW
The Beauty Lab Zone Manager will be passionate about leading and educating, and will run the Beauty Lab in the MECCA Maxima Bondi store in NSW. You will be responsible for ensuring an exceptional experience is delivered for all customers through Beauty Lab services. You’ll ensure Beauty Lab classes run smoothly and in line with expectations and you will book and recruit customers for workshops, events, services and promotions and assist in the successful delivery of these. Apply here.
Planner – Women’s Branded Designer, THE ICONIC, Sydney
THE ICONIC’s mission is to deliver seamless and inspiring experiences for customers and its planners are an eclectic mix of strategic problem-solvers and creative analytical thinkers who love products. The Planner – Women’s Branded Designer will analyse and forecast financial and product trends, review the performance of our products, and make sure that sufficient stock is available. You’ll also work with brands and suppliers to negotiate price structures, delivery dates, specific merchandise requirements and contracts. Like how that sounds? Get the full information here.
Beauty Therapist, UFS Pharmacies, Bendigo
Part of the UFS Pharmacies Group, Eden Skin & Body is looking for a skilled, professional and friendly Beauty Therapist. You’ll be diploma-qualified with previous salon or day-spa experience. You will be required to provide professional service to all clients, assisting with appointment scheduling, product sales and services and assist with duties related to the effective-day-to-day operation of the business, including maintaining client database, ordering consumables and product range, cash handling, cleaning, implementing marketing and promotional activities. Get the full job description here.
This article was written in partnership with Jobbio.
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