So, you finally landed your dream job and it's everything that you dreamed it would be.
You have the awesome perks that include paid vacation time and health coverage, and things seem to be going your way. You've been working really hard and know your way around the office. You know how to make things happen and get it done. You have proven to be valuable to your team and secured a lot of wins since your arrival. Can you figure out what's next? That's right, it's time for a raise and/or promotion.
I know, talking about money can be uncomfortable. What if your manager says no? And the unfair reality exists that women ask for raises as much as men but are less likely to receive one. However, a closed mouth doesn't get fed. And there's a chance you can be the exception and not the rule, but how? Well, we talked to career expert and publicist, Tequilla White, and she gave us seven amazing tips on how you can better your chances of getting that promotion/raise you deserve!
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1. Take On More Responsibility
If you want to show that you are worthy of that promotion, start by showing your value. Master the skills of your current role while taking initiative and being a problem solver when issues arise. Work close with senior employees that have an interest in seeing you grow, but don't brown nose. No one likes a kiss ass. Don't be afraid to ask questions and see how you can grow within the company.
2. Ask For Feedback
Don't wait until your performance review to ask your manager what they think of your work. Make it a point to check in with your manager at least once every two months to ask for feedback.
Asking for feedback is a great chance to share your goals with your manager and get expectations from them as they may have changed since you were first hired. Use the feedback to improve your performance and your manager will definitely take notice.
3. Big Up Yourself
If you don't let people know that you are making major moves, no one will do it for you.
Make note of your accomplishments, big or small, and provide your manager with monthly updates via email. These notations will come in handy when it's time for performance reviews.
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4. Do Your Research
You have a better chance of getting the raise or promotion you want when you research your position and look at how much other top performers in your industry make. You should know when you ask for your raise whether you are currently underpaid for your role based on the market and your value to the company. Generally, employees ask for a raise of three to five percent. But if you can show that you are underpaid based on the market, you can make the case for a bigger raise. GlassDoor.com can help you with gathering salary information.
5. Timing Is Everything
Do not wait until your performance review to ask for a promotion or raise. Most of the time, the budget is already set for the coming year. The best time to ask is during the first quarter and before summer. Pick a time when your manager doesn't seem overwhelmed and would be receptive to the conversation.
6. Take Control Of The Conversation
Now this is the big moment! You have completed all of your research, proven to have exceptional work, and now you are ready to present your case. Be sure that you go into the conversation fully prepared to lead the conversation. Have real data to present why you deserve a raise and/or promotion (this is where your notes come in handy).
Be confident in your delivery. "I wanted to take this opportunity to talk about my compensation." Then get straight to the point. Communicate how you are committed to the company and would like to play a more pivotal role in its success. Bring up your accomplishments and be mindful of your body language. You want to show confidence and ease when talking. Be specific about the position you want and the amount of raise you would like. Always give a number higher than you think so there is room for negotiation.
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7. Be Prepared For A No
So you presented a great case and your manager seems impressed, but the budget or timing isn't right. Don't worry, you won't get fired for asking. Most likely your manager will be impressed by your ambition and preparedness and will keep their eyes on you. While you may not be able to get the raise or promotion at that time, there may be an option for other benefits like paid time off or more flexible work hours. Even student loan repayment benefits could work.
Know your worth and stay woke because you deserve to be properly compensated for your work. So go out there and make it happen!
To gain more professional tips, visit Tequilla on Instagram @tequillawhitepr and visit her website tequillawhitepr.com
Featured image by Getty Images
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In a xoNecoleexclusive, the iconic actress opens up about embracing this season of her life, new projects, and overall being a “bad motherfucker.” Gabrielle reveals that she was 37 years old when she was diagnosed with perimenopause and is still going through it at 51 years old. Mayo Clinic says perimenopause “refers to the time during which your body makes the natural transition to menopause, marking the end of the reproductive years.”
“I haven't crossed over the next phase just yet, but I think part of it is when you hear any form of menopause, you automatically think of your mother or grandmother. It feels like an old-person thing, but for me, I was 37 and like not understanding what that really meant for me. And I don't think we focus so much on the word menopause without understanding that perimenopause is just the time before menopause,” she tells us.
Gabrielle Union
Photo by Brian Thomas
"But you can experience a lot of the same things during that period that people talk about, that they experienced during menopause. So you could get a hot flash, you could get the weight gain, the hair loss, depression, anxiety, like all of it, mental health challenges, all of that can come, you know, at any stage of the menopausal journey and like for me, I've been in perimenopause like 13, 14 years. When you know, most doctors are like, ‘Oh, but it's usually about ten years, and I'm like, ‘Uhh, I’m still going (laughs).’”
Conversations about perimenopause, fibroids, and all the things that are associated with women’s bodies have often been considered taboo and thus not discussed publicly. However, times are changing, and thanks to the Gabrielle’s and the Tia Mowry’s, more women are having an authentic discourse about women’s health. These open discussions lead to the creation of more safe spaces and support for one another.
“I want to be in community with folks. I don't ever want to feel like I'm on an island about anything. So, if I can help create community where we are lacking, I want to be a part of that,” she says. “So, it's like there's no harm in talking about it. You know what I mean? Like, I was a bad motherfucker before perimenopause. I’m a bad motherfucker now, and I'll be a bad motherfucker after menopause. Know what I’m saying? None of that has to change. How I’m a bad motherfucker, I welcome that part of the change. I'm just getting better and stronger and more intelligent, more wise, more patient, more compassionate, more empathetic. All of that is very, very welcomed, and none of it should be scary.”
The Being Mary Jane star hasn’t been shy about her stance on therapy. If you don’t know, here’s a hint: she’s all for it, and she encourages others to try it as well. She likens therapy to dating by suggesting that you keep looking for the right therapist to match your needs. Two other essential keys to her growth are radical transparency and radical acceptance (though she admits she is still working on the latter).
"I was a bad motherfucker before perimenopause. I’m a bad motherfucker now, and I'll be a bad motherfucker after menopause. Know what I’m saying? None of that has to change. How I’m a bad motherfucker, I welcome that part of the change."
Gabrielle Union and Kaavia Union-Wade
Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images
“I hope that a.) you recognize that you're not alone. Seek out help and know that it's okay to be honest about what the hell is happening in your life. That's the only way that you know you can get help, and that's also the only other way that people know that you are in need if there's something going on,” she says, “because we have all these big, very wild, high expectations of people, but if they don't know what they're actually dealing with, they're always going to be failing, and you will always be disappointed. So how about just tell the truth, be transparent, and let people know where you are. So they can be of service, they can be compassionate.”
Gabrielle’s transparency is what makes her so relatable, and has so many people root for her. Whether through her TV and film projects, her memoirs, or her social media, the actress has a knack for making you feel like she’s your homegirl. Scrolling through her Instagram, you see the special moments with her family, exciting new business ventures, and jaw-dropping fashion moments. Throughout her life and career, we’ve seen her evolve in a multitude of ways. From producing films to starting a haircare line to marriage and motherhood, her journey is a story of courage and triumph. And right now, in this season, she’s asking, “What’s next?”
“This is a season of discovery and change. In a billion ways,” says the NAACP Image Award winner. “The notion of like, ‘Oh, so and so changed. They got brand new.’ I want you to be brand new. I want me to be brand new. I want us to be always constantly growing, evolving. Having more clarity, moving with different purpose, like, and all of that is for me very, very welcomed."
"I want you to be brand new. I want me to be brand new. I want us to be always constantly growing, evolving. Having more clarity, moving with different purpose, like, and all of that is for me very, very welcomed."
She continues, “So I'm just trying to figure out what's next. You know what I mean? I'm jumping into what's next. I'm excited going into what's next and new. I'm just sort of embracing all of what life has to offer.”
Look out for Gabrielle in the upcoming indie film Riff Raff, which is a crime comedy starring her and Jennifer Coolidge, and she will also produce The Idea of You, which stars Anne Hathaway.
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If you’ve been on TikTok lately, you may have noticed that manicure lovers are putting new concepts surrounding their nails to the test. Last fall, the “red nail theory” took the internet by storm with promises to evoke male attention, compliments, and even a date or two on a subconscious level. And now, just a year later, a deeper and more mystic hue is being spotlighted for its alluring appeal.
@divashay888 #blacknails💅 #boldyblooming #blackspiritualists
What Is “Black Nail Theory”?
The concept of “black nail theory” is centered on the idea that applying black nail polish can significantly influence an individual's inner confidence and overall lure. Black nails are thought to possess a distinctive quality that communicates a sensual and captivating energy, bringing forth boldness and mystery. On a psychological level, black is said to be symbolic of “power, elegance, and sophistication.”
Personally, red has never quite been my color; so when I saw the black nail theory making its rounds, I immediately knew it could be an internet trend that I could get behind and try for myself.
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Testing Out The Theory
Deciding on the approach that I would take with my black nails came fairly easy. I’m a French tip girl to my core, so if I was going to commit to such a bold color like black, I’d have to take it gradually, and not commit to a fully blacked-out nail look.
Leaving the nail salon with my new set, I instantly felt myself channel my inner baddie. The black French tip complimented my complexion perfectly, and I was even able to test the theory out while on a date later that evening.
Throughout the night, I was complimented by both my date and the waitress on my nails, and I felt an inward motivation to share just enough about myself while leaving more to be discovered.
The following week, my friend and I went out to a party with the sole purpose of being cute and having fun, only to find a handful of men stopping to get my name and make conversation. One even went as far as to take my hand and examine nails that were adorned with gold rings.
On a more personal level, my time with black nails has been my handy reminder to trust my intuition and enter every room with confidence. Having my nails done naturally gives me an extra boost of confidence, but with the added touch of having them painted black, I’ve seen myself tap into the sultry and captivating "dark feminine" energy that I desire to embody.
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Would I Try This Again?
If all it took was a change in my nail color in order to attract love and confidence into myself, I would probably be married by now. But testing out black nail theory has been insightful to explore interpersonally.
How I present myself to the world and what I feel like I deserve all matters, and that doesn’t just start or end when my nails are freshly done.
Confidence is a full-package deal that comes wrapped in self-care, self-concept, and self-esteem. I get my nails done because that’s what makes me feel good, and whatever attention that draws in, I know that it’s a part of what I’m putting out into the world.
If I’m feeling fiery, I’ll test out a red design. If I’m in a girly mood, I’ll test out pink or ask for painted bows. And if I’m going for something more standout, I’ll let my nail tech take an idea and freestyle from there. All in all, nails are just another form of self-expression and should be a chance to showcase your inner world on the outside.
So yes, if red nails are the flashy antidote to drawing in attention, then black nails are the look to channel a “quiet” confidence that keeps them wanting more.
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