8 Dos and Donts When Asking Your Boss for a Raise

Feeling overworked and underpaid? If you're starting to feel like you deserve a raise, here are eight DO's and DON'Ts to build your confidence and tact (and what to avoid!) in asking for the salary you feel you deserve.

DO

1. Devise a "Plan of Action". First and foremost, get a strategy together. Make a note of the specific projects you've undertaken and the results you've accomplished. List all of your job skills and the features that make you an asset to this company. Find out what a typical raise is for someone with your experience in your area of occupation. Know the facts and be realistic in your request.

2. Ask for an amount that's slightly higher than one you would be happy with. If you would be happy with a 5% raise, ask for one a couple of points above it. That way, if your boss starts to negotiate, you won't feel as if your worth has been diluted any by getting less than what you feel you deserve.

3. Remember, your boss shouldn't be the only one negotiating. If your company is going through a slow period or the economy is down, try to be flexible and know how to respond if your boss suggests a lower amount than what you may have been expecting. Consider other ways of getting a raise too, such as additional vacation time, employee perks or more time off. All of these can be just as good (if not better!) than an actual amount of money.

4. Choose a specific day and time to meet with your supervisor about your raise request. Avoid choosing a Monday or Friday when bosses are at their busiest. Studies have actually shown that people are more receptive on a Tuesday or Wednesday after lunch. That way, they're not thinking about the weekend or their stomachs while you're getting up the nerve to ask about a raise! If you're afraid of being interrupted during your request, ask to speak to your supervisor for a few minutes after hours.

DON'T

1. Raise your tone of voice if your boss objects to your raise at first. Remember, he or she is paying you to do a certain job, and you're asking for more money to do the same job. Be professional and polite at all times, and listen more than demand. Chances are, if your supervisor doesn't award you a raise, they might hint at what else could be done to earn it. If they don't, don't be afraid to ask what steps would be necessary to "prove yourself".

2. Threaten with quitting if you don't get the raise or telling your boss you have another job offer unless you actually do. He may just call your bluff and let you go!

3. Stumble or beat around the bush with your request. Be straightforward and confident. You are a valuable member of a team and the supervisor hired you because they obviously thought you were the best qualified. If you have "Thank You" notes from customers or letters from the company praising you for a job well done, bring those to your meeting as well, as they'll help to cement your request and remind your supervisor of your role within the company and its progress.

4. Compare yourself to, or talk negatively about your coworkers or others in a position higher than you. You may think that this will put you in a positive light when it comes to a promotion or a raise, but to your boss, it shows that if you have a poor attitude toward your colleagues, you'll keep the same poor attitude if you are promoted.

Remember, be confident, professional and tactful. If the boss says "no" or wants to "think about it", open his mind to further consideration by volunteering to do more at the office. Stay an extra hour or help another team on a critical project. This demonstrates that you're willing to "tow the mark" rather than giving your boss the impression of "gimme the money first and THEN I'll work". Good luck!

***************************************
© 2005 David A. Bailey, Jr. All rights reserved.
Feel free to forward this in its entirety to anyone you wish.
***************************************

If you join the Money Making Mastermind and participate faithfully while allowing these powerful money making ideas to stimulate your brain...and you carry them out with persistence and intelligence, I guaratee it will revolutionize your financial life and your objective will have been half-way reached, even before you begin to recognize it.

David A. Bailey, Jr shares his best little known and secret money making ideas, projects, plans and hot new information products and services. Learn the latest ways to make money on the Internet that really work. No filler, just the facts about new ways to make fast money -delivered daily. SERIOUS ONLY.

The Money Making Mastermind

---

Opening Your Unlimited Potential

It is high time you know the truth about yourselves.... Read More

Life Issues Pt. 1 - Success

Hello everybody and a good day (or night !) to... Read More

Knowledge Is Not Power

Whoever first said that knowledge is power was probably selling... Read More

Job and Life Rules to Follow

Decide which game to play. Is winning that... Read More

Success in Life and the Mystery of Focus

If you are wishy-washy and undecided about you want and... Read More

3 Power Tips To Increase Financial Success FA$T!

Have you ever wondered why some people seem to be... Read More

Success: The Slight-Edge Formula

Self-improvement; A great deal has been written on the subject,... Read More

Elements of Success

There are twelve necessary elements involved in achieving success:1. Spend... Read More

How To Prepare Yourself Mentally For Success

Okay, so you've finally made that big decision to start... Read More

Why Balancing Your Polarity Can Make Life Better

Driven by cultural imperatives and inner promptings, we drive ourselves... Read More

Grow Rich With Your Thought

Our brain is a marvelous creation. It receive and transmit... Read More

Discover Your Path to Success ? Part 4

In Part Three, I promised we would get into the... Read More

Moving to the Other Side of Box

Few books have impacted my perspective on human psychologically and... Read More

Gracefully Accepting Feedback a Key Employment Skill

With the long-term trend of protecting employees' individual self esteem... Read More

Top Ten Ways to Achieve Personal and Professional Independence

1. Clearly define what you want and what is most... Read More

Don?t Stop Asking So Many Questions

A few weeks ago I took my boy on a... Read More

10 Compelling Reasons to Stop Singing the Blues

Are you:- feeling unfulfilled and dissatisfied with your life?- ready... Read More

The Secret To Life Long Success And Fulfillment

What Makes the Difference?On a warm spring afternoon, fifteen years... Read More

Great Success Story

Ok, let me tell you what I mean.As some of... Read More

The Bubble Of Prosperity

My life is a bubble; but how much solid cash... Read More

Reach Your Goals - Clown Around

Clown around Among the Plains Indians, heyoka, or sacred clowns,... Read More

Conquering Bad Habits

Most of your behavior is determined by your habits. Everything... Read More

Vacation Your Way to Success!

All work and no play makes Johnny a dull boy... Read More

The Bulging Right Pocket

It was one of the worst periods of time in... Read More

Success Involves Ignoring Critics

Critics can destroy or inspire you. Your own self critic... Read More

Reach Your Goals - Measure Twice, Cut Once

Measure twice, cut once Just as in carpentry, making sure... Read More

How To Reverse Engineer Your Success

The best and fastest way to learn how to make... Read More

Top 10 Strategies Of Highly Successful Professionals

Last Thursday evening, I was the guest of a group... Read More

The One-Two Punch for Success: Authenticity and Alignment

Have you ever felt as if you are beating your... Read More

Do You Know Whats The #1 Success Secret Is?

How many people do you hear complaining about their job,... Read More

Super Achievers Have: Talent, Skill, Patience, and Lady Luck!

As a golfer and coach, I've been thrilled to watch... Read More

The First And Inevitable Step To Success

Many people ask me how they can be more successful.The... Read More

Success Lessons From Boxing

Sugar Ray Leonard and Sylvester Stallone recently opened an academy... Read More