It is important to know how to present oneself if you want to get more hours at your job. Focusing on your strengths, and the value you bring to your company will help you make the case for more hours. You should also show up on time and find staff to cover shifts that you don't want to work.
Asking for more hours at work
Before asking for more hours, you need to know what your manager's expectations are. A manager expects his or her employees be reliable and productive. A manager expects employees to work hard and be committed to the company. It is important to show enthusiasm and be on time. If necessary, be available to work overtime and on weekends.
If you ask for more hours at work, it is important to do so politely. Avoid putting your co-workers on the defensive. It is best to ask when things are going well. The tone of your voice can make a huge difference in whether you get the extra hours you request.
Respecting your time
Time management can be difficult because it is so easy to forget about the importance of showing up on-time. Many people are not consistently on time because they don't have a clear expectation to show up at work and leave by a certain time. They work on everything that comes up, and don't plan for important work. Therefore, even though they are leaving the office at 5pm, there is still a lot of work ahead. Instead, schedule a time for you to leave at the beginning of each day, make a note of it in your calendar, and then set an alarm on you mobile phone. This will help you to establish a commitment psychologically to leave work on-time.
Finding employees to cover shifts where you aren't interested in working
It is possible to find staff to cover your shifts if you are unable to or unwilling to make the effort. It is important to find someone who can work around your schedule. It's not enough to find someone who has already volunteered to cover; you need to be sure that they'll keep their word.
Having an availability chart can help you determine who is available to cover shifts, and can help you avoid wasting time by calling on employees who have no intention of working the shift. You don't want someone who works only opening shifts to be asked to come in on Tuesday. It is also helpful to set a time frame within which employees must notify managers about any last-minute cancellations.
Communicate your request
It is essential to communicate with your manager in order for your request to be granted. When approaching your manager, be polite and respectful. Explain the reason for your request and state the benefits you expect to receive. Share solutions that you have developed in your work and how they will benefit the company. The manager can use these ideas to justify giving you more hours.
You should ensure that you understand your boss' expectations before you communicate your request for an increase in work hours. It is important that you state that your request to increase hours does not need to be urgent. Give examples and an alternative plan for overcoming obstacles.