3 Tips on a Asking for a Raise
Posted by [email protected] on Dec. 5, 2016 / Career Growth, On The Job / Subscribe 0
Money isn’t the most comfortable of topics to discuss with even your closest family member, so how are you supposed to talk about it with your boss? Every situation is unique, but here are three tips that will help you approach this discussion driven with confidence rather than fear.
1) Be Prepared:
The basic rule for negotiating anything is to be prepared. Spending more money on you as an employee is a decision they will take seriously, so asking for it should be given just as much credence. Research comparable salaries in the market (outside of your own company), know your own pay history within the company (what bonuses and/or raises have you already received and when), and consider the current climate of your company and the markets that affect it. If your boss is receptive to the idea of giving you a raise, he/she will want to discuss you’re performance as well as the amount you’re asking for. That brings us into our next point…
2) Stay Positive:
When giving your boss the reasons behind this raise request, focus on work that you’ve done to EARN the raise. Stay away from saying things like “I haven’t had a raise since….”, “I work harder than everyone else in my department…”, or “If I don’t get a raise, I’ll have to start considering other employment opportunities…”. Regardless of whether or not those things may be true, they set a negative tone for the conversation and negativity gets you nowhere. Saying things like “My team has improved productivity by 20% this year...” or “I negotiated 20 new leases for the building…” are positive accomplishments that will drive home your value to the company.
3) Be Constructive:
The dreaded “No” is a very real possibility, but it doesn’t have to be a bad thing. If you get turned down, make it constructive by asking for feedback on how you can improve your performance. Having clarity on expectations will help you when revisiting this request down the road. If the reason for the no is more circumstances within the company, discuss with your boss when a potentially more appropriate time would be.
Bottom Line: it will never be easy to ask for a raise, but it’s not a question to shy away from. Use these tips to help be more assured when approaching your boss for a raise. And it helps to remember everyone has a boss, so we all know what it’s like to be on both ends of the conversation.
About the Author: Lindsay Konlande currently serves as the Association Assistant for IREM Houston. Lindsay earned her Bachelor Degree in Communication from Texas A&M and has several years of experience in marketing, public relations and copywriting.
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