Money is a bit topic in the industry at the moment.

The construction industry is struggling to get quality and available talent and great tradespeople amidst a challenging environment that I’ve not really seen before in my 20+ years in the industry. We’ve had so many bankruptcies in the industry as well, that there are people moving in and out of the industry, with employers facing enormous budget pressures. The importance of your connections in the industry has never been more crucial. To know who is employing, who is stable, and what people are ‘worth their salt’ is essential.

What happens if you’ve decided you need to move, and the company you are looking at offers everything you need, but you’re offered less than you feel you’re worth? If only they knew how much value you would bring to them? You know, but they don’t yet. How do you turn this around to your advantage, whilst giving both you and the employer what you need and want? It can come down to how much confidence, capacity and courage you have at the moment.

In today's volatile market, for an employee proving your worth to an employer is not only essential for professional growth but also for increasing your earning potential. Employers are more likely to reward employees who consistently demonstrate their value to the company – but this is the early stages. How do you create a pathway to earn more money once you’ve taken the placement?

Here are some strategies that you may want to consider that I have seen work, to create that pathway and also help you prove yourself at work and pave the way to a higher income.

Negotiating an Employee Contract:

Negotiating an employment contract review date, along with specific criteria and key performance indicators (KPIs) to meet, is a strategic move that can lead to earning more money as an employee.

Start by expressing your enthusiasm for the role and your commitment to achieving outstanding results. Request a mutually agreeable review date, ideally around the three to six-month mark, to allow sufficient time for impactful contributions. Engage with the employer on what they would consider KPI’s to match specific levels of reward. Propose measurable KPIs and criteria that align with the company's goals and the role's responsibilities. These could include sales targets, project completion milestones, client retention rates, or cost-saving initiatives. It might be worth also negotiating a sliding scale of KPI’s so there is room for movement and adjustable reward levels.

Emphasise your willingness to take on additional responsibilities and showcase your dedication to exceeding expectations. By tying your request to clear performance metrics, you not only demonstrate your commitment but also provide a compelling case for the employer to reward your contributions with a salary increase or bonus during the review.

If agreed, ensure everything is documented in your employment contract so there is no room for confusion.

On The Job:

OK, now the tyres hit the road. It is crucial you document your successes in specific alignment to your employment contract and the KPI’s set. Then….move into action. But it’s not just about KPI’s. We’re not machines hey. If you act like a psychopath focused on your own goals, an employer simply won’t want you around as you’ll destroy others and the culture. You (and they) want to enjoy the experience and build a culture and teams that the employer will want to reward. So, keep KPI’s in mind, but also focus on these 10 points that will build a pathway to earning more money:-

1.      Collaborate

Whilst you may not want to share what your own KPI’s that have been set to a specific salary or benefit reward, collaborating with others is essential to achieve KPIs in anyone’s job. By pooling skills, knowledge, and resources, teams can synergise efforts, fostering innovation and reaching goals more effectively. The ability to collaborate and soft skills is one of the hottest skillsets asked for in today’s employment market.

2.      Consistent Excellence

Consistency is key when it comes to proving yourself. Show up every day with a commitment to excellence in your tasks and responsibilities. Whether it's meeting deadlines, producing high-quality work, or consistently exceeding targets, your dedication to excellence will set you apart.

3.      Take Initiative
You’ve had the discussion with the employer about their goals when you negotiated your KPI targets, right, but don’t have a ‘fixed picture’ on these. Take the initiative to identify problems and propose solutions. Volunteer for challenging projects that allow you to showcase your skills and take on additional responsibilities when possible. This proactive approach demonstrates your commitment to the company's success. If your KPI’s need adjusting as opportunities come up, remember to address this with the employer – and document the agreement in writing. 

4.      Build Strong Relationships
Building positive relationships with colleagues, clients and suppliers (if you have contact with them in your role) can enhance your reputation in the workplace. Effective communication, teamwork, and collaboration are highly valued skills. Be a supportive and reliable team member who contributes to a harmonious work environment.

5.      Solve Problems Creatively
Show your problem-solving skills by tackling challenges creatively. When faced with obstacles, approach them with a solutions-oriented mindset. Employers appreciate employees who can find innovative ways to overcome hurdles and improve processes.

6.      Consistently Meet Deadlines
Meeting deadlines consistently demonstrates your reliability and time-management skills and crucial when you are working a timeline to set KPI’s. Prioritise tasks effectively, create a realistic schedule, and make sure to deliver on time. This reliability builds trust with your superiors and colleagues.

7.      Break down your goals
Set clear and measurable goals for yourself, break it down into a timeline that will have you meet your KPI’s on time, and regularly review your progress. This not only helps you stay focused but also shows your dedication to achieving results.

8.      Communicate Your Achievements
Don't assume that your hard work speaks for itself. Regularly communicate your accomplishments to your employer or supervisors. Keep them informed about your achievements, milestones, and the positive impact of your work on the company's goals. Obviously don’t be a ‘blowarse’ and don’t make all your team’s achievements yours, which everyone dislikes. This open dialogue whilst recognising others, ensures that your contributions are acknowledged, and your collaboration skills are noted.

9.      Seek Feedback
Actively seek feedback from your employer, supervisors and peers. Constructive feedback can help you identify areas for improvement and fine-tune your skills. It also demonstrates your commitment to personal and professional growth. After all, your need those KPI’s met, but you need others to help you get there if you want to last in the role.

10.  Accountability
When the time comes, be prepared with facts, figures and results. Not excuses. Be prepared to have a factual conversation with the employer and document the result. Have the next step clearly agreed on and confirmed in writing.

In conclusion, proving yourself at work to meet set KPI’s is a multifaceted journey that requires dedication, skill development, and effective communication.

You need to be confident, capable and have the capacity to meet the KPI’s set to propose and achieve this strategy. In addition you need to have the skills to communicate and hold an employer accountable to the agreement.

And, if you have the courage and capacity, it can bring great reward and significantly enhance your prospects for earning more money and advancing your career.

Our Superpower

Our leading 'superpower' is attracting and retaining quality team members who share our values of honesty, integrity, diligence, and service, allowing us to deploy quality team members on client sites quickly.

Our team member's superpower is being motivated, prepared and ready to enthusiastically contribute to the projects at hand, more than just a pair of hands.

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Chantal Penny is the Director with Superpowers of SiteForce Recruitment. A thought leader in the industry, Chantal, based on her expertise and industry perspective, offers unique guidance, inspiration, and influence in the industry.

At SiteForce Recruitment, we specialise in labour-hire and permanent recruitment in the construction industry. We are committed to valuing people, safety and well-being, collaboration, trust and, of course – results!

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