Many employers won’t entertain a pay raise or position upgrade for employees until the employee’s annual review. But this doesn’t mean that an employee shouldn’t be prepared for the evaluation time. If there are plans to ask for a larger salary increase than the normal annual raise or to even push for an upgrade in position, an employee better be ready to explain why he’s worth the bonus. Justifying to the employer the reason why the work the employee provides is worth more, is a crucial step to success.

Keep records. Track the accomplishments that have been achieved since the last employee evaluation. These records should include everything positive that you have accomplished. If you choose to keep an electronic copy of this record, back it up to guard against computer failure. Include the details of each achievement. Telling the employer what you accomplished, how you accomplished it, and what it meant for the company provides a complete picture.

Look ahead. Show your employer that while you have accomplished a whole list of things in the past year, you are planning to accomplish more in the year to come. Make a list of ideas on how work flow can be improved, or how profits can be increased with the implementation of your ideas. As you present your ideas, make it all about the company. Don’t give the impression that you are sharing these ideas with the sole purpose of gaining a larger paycheck, but that you care about the health and prosperity of the company.

Complete a competitive salary search. Take the time to review what competitors are paying employees who are performing comparable tasks to yours. If your salary is in the same ballpark as the competitors, you might want to rethink pushing for a higher salary. But if you find that your employer is below what the competition is paying for the same level of work, then be prepared to show your employer this information. Take care to present salary information in a non-threatening manner. Don’t give your employer a reason to encourage you to explore your options with the competition. Rather, show that you are worth what the average professional in your field of expertise is making.