| I have to start by saying that the first | | | | the things you have accomplished. Be |
| and best thing you can do to get a raise | | | | ready to show how these are linked to |
| from your employer is to make sure you | | | | some measurable increase in profits if |
| deserve one. Of course, this should go | | | | possible. At least make a reasonable |
| without saying. However, many employees | | | | argument for how they should add to the |
| think that simply being at their job a | | | | company revenue. Try to be specific, and |
| while is enough reason for more pay. | | | | don't lie about anything. You want to |
| Most employers will disagree. Unless you | | | | show that you are clearly valuable to |
| are simply arguing for a cost-of-living | | | | the company - and that you know you are. |
| increase, you really should provide more | | | | The timing of your request for a raise |
| value to your employer if you expect | | | | matters. Don't ask for a raise when the |
| more money. If you're not doing a great | | | | boss is in a bad mood, for example. If |
| job now then, start tomorrow, and do | | | | you've got easy access to the supervisor |
| better for a while before you try to get | | | | who'll make the decision, wait for a |
| a raise. | | | | noticeable good mood, then ask to speak |
| Okay, so you deserve a raise. But don't | | | | with her, or him. On the other hand, if |
| expect your boss to notice this or think | | | | you have to make and appointment, |
| of it on his own. Most likely, you will | | | | schedule a time when the boss won't be |
| have to sell him or her on the idea, so | | | | too distracted, like late afternoon, |
| you should be fully prepared to do that. | | | | when lunch is past and his work is |
| Find out what others in your position | | | | caught up. |
| make. See if you can discover how much | | | | You should always know what your options |
| of a raise some of them have received in | | | | are and what you are willing to do |
| the past. In the United States, you can | | | | according to the response. In my working |
| use the U.S. Labor Department's Bureau | | | | days, for example, I got what I wanted |
| Of Labor Statistics website at to see | | | | several times by threatening to quit. |
| what the average pay of various jobs is. | | | | But perhaps this only worked because I |
| Ask for a realistic raise, based not | | | | meant what I said. You might lose a job |
| just on national norms, but on what | | | | you want to keep if you bluff. What you |
| people in your particular company make. | | | | will say? What you will do if the boss |
| Always aim a little high. This lets the | | | | says no? What if he offers less than you |
| boss negotiate your raise down to what | | | | ask for? Can you wait and bring it up |
| you really hope to get. Consider | | | | again later? Can you look for other |
| everything you want before you ask for a | | | | employment? How about mentioning this |
| raise too. For example, are you also | | | | job search to the boss? |
| seeking benefits or a better position? | | | | Consider these things carefully, and be |
| Okay, so you have decided how much you | | | | prepared if you want to get a raise. |
| will be asking for. Now make a list of | | | | |