Without knowing your company policies, I would have to say you need to get back to the basics…

Step 1. Get the most recent copy of A) your company Human Resources handbook relative to performance evaluations and raises B) a copy of the salary schedule (if available) C) job description of your present position, D) the job description of the next position to which you might normally expect to be promoted.

Step 2. Use the US Dept of Labor SCANS checklists to A) inventory your work knowledge/skills B) inventory the job description for your present position C) inventory the job description for the next position above yours. [Note: you can get a free copy of the checklists at http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/public/clubextra.html?nclubid=893282700&nid=268367529

Step 3. Compare / Contrast these inventories.

3A) Your current job: If the results show A) your inventory matches well with your current job, its an good indication you should perform well, B) if the match is poor (low end) then you have a handle on what knowledge/skills you need, C) if the match is poor (high end), your knowledge/skills exceed your current position this might be a good indicator you should argue for a raise…or maybe a promotion of some sort.

3B) The next step up: If the results show A) your inventory matches well this higher position, its an good indication you should seek a promotion or raisel, B) if the match is poor (low end) then you have a handle on what knowledge/skills you need to qualify for the higher position, C) if the match is poor (high end), your knowledge/skills exceed this higher position this might be a good indicator you should argue for a major raise…or maybe a promotion beyond even this level.

And of course, should you not be able to make advances in your present company, maybe its time to move on….

But at least now, you have a systematic way to assess where you stand with your current job or any other job you might seek.

From the company’s perspective, the raises will come when the MBA improves your performance.

The problem is that you may not be in the right position to use your MBA since you haven’t been promoted yet.

From the employee’s perspective, the MBA makes you more marketable in the workforce. You are worth a higher salary and if the company does not match that increase, you are more likely to go elsewhere. That is why they should give you an immediate raise…at least a small one. IT DOES NOT MATTER WHO PAID FOR IT…if you can leave, they should match the market’s rate for your salary.

if all fails, you can always use it as a deduction from tax 🙂