How to Ask Your Boss for a Pay Rise

Don't hesitate to ask your boss for a pay raise when you feel you deserve one.

You work hard every day, giving your best efforts to your job. Perhaps you have succeeded in completing special tasks or responsibilities that make you a more valuable employee. While you might hesitate to approach your boss for a raise, you have little to lose in asking. If you arm yourself with specific information that details your accomplishments, you will find it easier to gather your courage and ask your boss for a raise.

Things You'll Need

• List or spreadsheet of accomplishments

Instructions

1. Prepare a list or a spreadsheet that details recent work-related activities. If you have been working on special projects or have taken on additional responsibilities, add details about this work. Make sure to note the outcome of your efforts. Be as specific as you can to show your boss exactly how valuable you are to the company.

2. Research comparable positions both in your own company and in competitive companies. Find out what other people with similar educational backgrounds and experience are earning. Online resources can help you find out the average salary of workers in your profession. Keep your research local for accurate comparisons because similar positions will have significantly different salaries in different regions. Also, make sure your company is in a financial position to increase your salary, if possible. If your company publishes quarterly earnings reports, check recent reports.

3. Learn your company's schedule for performance reviews and salary increases. In some cases, it may be prudent to keep to your company's schedule for reviewing employees. However, there may be additional times to approach your boss for a raise, such as after the successful completion of a special project.

4. Prepare your request and practice before you approach your boss. Think through all of your work performance positives. Use the spreadsheet you prepared to validate your claims.

5. Choose a time when you can speak privately for several minutes with your boss. Establish comfortable eye contact as you speak and begin to list the positive examples of your work performance. Present the spreadsheet to your boss to document your performance. Speak confidently as you make your pitch and ask for a salary that your research has shown is fair for an employee of your education and position.

6. Accept your employers' response, whether it is positive or negative. If your boss grants you a raise, accept it gratefully, thank her and tell her you will work hard to deserve the raise. If your boss declines your request, stay upbeat. Accept the defeat with grace and ask your boss what you need to do to earn a raise. Find out how you can improve your performance so you can focus your efforts on meeting her criteria.

Tips & Warnings

• Approach your boss at an appropriate time, preferably after both you and your boss have experienced success.

References

• Career Management Center: How to Successfully Negotiate a Raise

Resources

• Salary.com: Salary Wizard