How to Ask For a Raise at Work

Asking for a raise can become a tricky situation.

You know how much you're worth, but does your boss? Feeling undervalued can be incredibly frustrating and will sometimes lead to eventually leaving a a job that you really enjoy. If you are truly justified in making more money than you currently are earning, there are a number of ways to go about making your superiors understand your case.

Instructions

1. Make yourself indispensable. In order to prove to your boss that you are worth more money, you must prove yourself through action before you ever step foot in her office to ask for more money. It's one thing to know how to talk a good game, but you must be able to back up that talk with solid examples of why you are worth more, and how it would make sense to the company to give you more. Go above and beyond especially right before you decide to negotiate for more money. You'll find that once you are at the bargaining table, it will be easier to leverage your self-worth.

2. Wait to negotiate until your boss has plenty of unstressed, undisturbed time. This can be difficult, especially if you have a boss who is constantly busy, but waiting for the right time to negotiate could mean the difference of thousands of dollars a year for you. If you have your boss's undivided attention, she will be more sympathetic to your pleas. Do not negotiate right before your boss goes on vacation or right after she comes back. Avoid negotiating during your company's "busy season." Try scheduling a meeting for the end of the workweek.

3. Stay emotionally unconnected when the talk turns to money. Feelings can get hurt sometimes when you are told that you aren't worth what you think you are worth. You cannot take anything at the bargaining table to heart. It will damage your ability to negotiate and will put thoughts into your head about your boss and the company that you work for that aren't necessarily true. Remain focused and objective. You need not be cold or mean, but don't let your feelings get hurt.

4. Have a plan. Your meeting with your boss should be planned out as carefully as though you were giving a presentation to a group of investors. That is, in fact, what you are doing. You are proposing that the company you work for budget more money for you, in return for the work you are doing that is invaluable and indispensable. Start your case by giving examples of things you have done for the company recently that have been above and beyond, and that have improved the company in some way. Give examples of how your pay has not been increased to compensate for the extra revenue you have created. Then propose your wage increase.

5. Don't be defensive. Your boss may come back with reasons as to why a raise may not work at this time. Do not try to shoot down every word that comes out of her mouth. There may actually be a very real reason as to why she hasn't offered you a raise yet. Hear her out. Once you have let her say her piece, digest everything she's given you objectively. If there are gaping holes in her logic, don't point them out maliciously, but do present a practical rebuttal to her argument. She will most likely understand your point of view much quicker if your approach is diplomatic.