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28 March 2024

5 simple but effective steps to get fair salary, pay hike in UAE

Marginal pay hike is on the back of falling oil prices and is less than what was predicted at the end of 2014.. (File)

Published
By Shuchita Kapur

Getting paid what one deserves is something all employees would want; yet, quite often, we end up believing what we are being actually paid isn’t anywhere near what we should be getting.

In this world, your peers get paid more, the grade of a so-called junior colleague may actually turn out to be higher and the perks being doled out to someone else in the team may just hike your frustration levels.

Recruitment experts at online job market Bayt.com chart out five critical ways to ensure what you really should get before you actually take up a job in the UAE.

These important things can also increase the chances of getting that pay raise you want too.

#1 Know your worth

That is the first step. You need to know what your skill set is worth in the job market and this can be valued easily.

“It’s a good idea to have a salary range in mind before you have the discussion about compensation. Though your current position and pay may provide a good starting point, you can learn a lot about fair market value by branching out and looking at what other professionals are earning in your field,” says the Bayt spokesperson.

And, there are many websites that offer salary ranges that break down jobs based on job title, country, and responsibilities associated with the position.

All you need to do is access this information online or get in touch with any recruitment agencies or look at job postings for similar positions in your field.

In fact, a recent study conducted by Bayt.com reveals that this is quite a popular way to find out what one deserves as 95 per cent of jobseekers in the UAE and the region find researching average salaries important when accepting a new job offer.

#2 Make your objectives about getting a raise clear

Who doesn’t want a pay hike? But, if you are feeling underpaid, then this becomes all the more important.

Before you put any such request before the boss, it’s important to think through all the aspects that can push you closer to a hike.

“There are many reasons why you may ask for a pay raise. It could be that you’re simply unhappy with your income as 50 per cent of professionals are in the UAE,” as per Bayt experts.

“Base your request on a set of clear and objective criteria that include industry salary standards and your own performance. From a company’s perspective, the only reason to be paid more is because you will deliver more in the future. If you’re asking for a pay raise, don’t make it about how hard you’ve worked in the past, your personal situation (new loan, kids’ education, etc.) or what others are getting paid in your position. Talk instead about what you can do, and what your future plans are for the company.”

#3 Ask at the right time

There’s a time for everything that happens in our life and that includes pay hikes as well.

“If you’re asking for a pay raise, don’t surprise your boss. Instead, set up a meeting with him/them and give them a sense of what’s coming. Scheduling a meeting gives you and your boss time to prepare – which will make the experience less stressful for both of you,” advise the experts at the job portal.

#4 Be prepared for a ‘no’ and hence more negotiation

Pay hikes revolve around a mutual discussion and your boss can perhaps disagree with your proposition.

“No matter how discouraging it may sound, remember that a ‘no’ isn’t forever. A ‘no’ now can be a solid ‘yes’ later. So don’t give up just yet, and ask for another meeting after you’d laid some important groundwork for your achievements. You can also sharpen your negotiation skills meanwhile which can be very useful if you want to negotiate the salary you deserve.”

#5 Get it in writing

Don’t fall for verbal promises. This is an age-old trick of dangling out carrots that bosses use. A pay hike is as good as non-existent if it’s not handed out to you written on a paper with the company head and the required signatures.

“Whatever the terms have been reached at the negotiating table, get it in writing. Make sure the agreement has the right names, terms and signatures, so there is no question of commitment and no room for ambiguity or retreat,” suggest Bayt experts.