Here's how you can use performance evaluations to negotiate for higher salaries.

1 Know Your Worth

Before entering any negotiation, it's essential to understand your value within the market and your organization. Research typical salaries for electrical design professionals with your level of experience and expertise. Then, assess how your performance aligns with these benchmarks. Performance evaluations that highlight your exceptional contributions, innovative designs, or efficiency improvements serve as proof points that you are above average and should be compensated accordingly.

2 Gather Evidence

Performance evaluations are your evidence in the negotiation process. Ensure that you have all your evaluations, especially those that showcase your achievements and instances where you've exceeded expectations. Highlight any specific projects where your electrical design skills directly contributed to the success of the project, or where your innovative solutions resulted in cost savings or efficiency gains. This tangible evidence strengthens your argument for why you deserve a higher salary.

3 Set Goals

Before discussing salary, set clear performance goals with your manager. These should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). During your performance evaluation, demonstrate how you've met or surpassed these goals. If your electrical designs have consistently met project objectives or introduced new efficiencies, use these accomplishments as leverage to negotiate a higher salary. Meeting and exceeding set goals shows that you're not just maintaining the status quo but actively contributing to your company's growth.

4 Articulate Value

During negotiations, clearly articulate how your work has added value to the company. Use your performance evaluations to discuss specific instances where your electrical designs have led to improvements in project outcomes, such as enhancing system functionality or achieving cost savings through innovative design choices. Explain how these contributions have had a positive impact on the company's bottom line or reputation, which in turn justifies your request for a higher salary.

5 Timing Matters

Timing is crucial when it comes to salary negotiations. Ideally, you should initiate the conversation shortly after a positive performance evaluation, when your achievements are fresh in your manager's mind. This is when you have the most leverage, as your recent contributions to the company are clear and undeniable. If you've just completed a successful project or your designs have brought about significant benefits, that's the opportune moment to discuss your compensation.