Keys to Asking for a Raise

Be prepared for a lengthy salary negotiation.

If you are like many workers in today's world, you might feel that your current salary does not match your talents and your experience. If you feel that your employer is undervaluing the contribution you make every day, scheduling a meeting to discuss a rise in salary can be a lucrative move. But there are a number of things you need to consider before you walk into such an important meeting with your boss.

Concrete Accomplishments

You should never ask for a raise simply because you feel you deserve more money. Instead, you should go into that meeting with your boss armed with hard data detailing how much you have contributed to the organization and its success. If you can point to cost savings you have been able to achieve, that can bolster your position even more and help your boss justify the extra money in your salary to the members of upper management and the executive team.

Real Salary Information

Bringing real world salary information to your raise discussion meeting can help you make your case even better. But when you compile that salary information, you should use only legitimate and verifiable sources. A good place to start that salary search information is the Bureau of Labor Statistics website. This website contains salary information on a wide range of jobs and job categories, and you and your boss can both trust the numbers reported there.

Flexibility

Remember that asking for an increase is salary is a negotiation and not a demand. When you go into your salary discussions, it is a good idea to ask for a bigger increase than what you are willing to settle for. If you are seeking a 10 percent increase in your salary, asking for 15 percent gives you some wiggle room and allows you to negotiate a better salary and get what you feel you deserve.

Other Options

The danger in asking for a raise, of course, is that your boss could say no. If that happens, you need to decide how to proceed and how to move forward. If the meeting to discuss your raise request is amicable and you still enjoy a good relationship with your boss, there is no reason you cannot go back to business as usual. But if you truly feel you are worth the price you had in mind, you need to be prepared to seek a better opportunity elsewhere. Seeking out those other possibilities ahead of time gives you a greater level of freedom and flexibility when the meeting does take place.

References

• CNN: Negotiate a Bigger Raise
• CNN: Why Women Get Paid Less - And Tips for Getting a Raise

Resources

• Bureau of Labor Statistics