Tips for Requesting a Raise

You probably think you deserve a raise. But does your boss think so?

Here's how to go about convincing your boss that you're really worth more than you're being paid.

First, you must realize that doing a great job is NOT a good enough reason to justify a raise. Your employer EXPECTS you to do a great job. Your performance must be "over and above" what other employees in similar positions are doing. And you can't rely on your boss to recognize your true worth without help from you. If you don't ask for one, you may never get a raise.

So here's what you do. First, make a list of your specific accomplishments that EXCEED the job you were hired to do. Make your list as specific as possible. Provide a detailed record of how you've beaten goals, taken on additional responsibilities, and contributed to the organization's success in ways that were significant.

Second, do some research, perhaps at a site like Salary.com. Find out what others in similar positions at other companies are making. If it's more, you definitely want to have this information to back up your request. (If it's less, don't mention it and be satisfied with what you're earning!)

When you have your ammunition ready, wait for the right time to ask your boss if you can talk with him about your performance. Timing is critical! You want to talk to him when he's in a GOOD MOOD. If he's in a bad mood, distracted by work problems, or otherwise not very approachable, WAIT. It doesn't matter how eager you are to request your raise. If your boss is not in a good mood, you'll just be wasting your time.

Once you've determined the timing is right, tell your boss that you would appreciate his considering giving you a raise, based on your "above and beyond" performance. Say you've taken the liberty of writing out your accomplishments for his easy reference, and give him your list. Then mention (if appropriate) what employees in similar positions are earning at other companies, and give him the data to back it up.

Do not mention a specific salary figure that you'd like to earn. This is the beginning of a negotiation process, and your first step is to convince your boss that your request deserves consideration. Once you pass that hurdle, be prepared to suggest a RANGE, such as a 3-5% increase.

If you've presented a good case and you know from your research that you are worth more than you are being paid, chance are good that you'll obtain your raise. But it depends on many factors, least of which may be your boss's desire to keep you on his staff. He may agree that you deserve a raise and desperately want to give it to you, but this may not be a decision he has the authority to make. Plus the company's budget is another important factor. Depending on how well things are going, there simply may not be enough in the coffers to pay you what you're worth.

If for whatever reason you are unsuccessful in obtaining a raise, you'll need to decide what your next step should be. If you love your job, you may be willing to continue working there. If not, be prepared to start looking elsewhere if a higher salary is your top priority.

You may reprint/republish this article if you include my name and a link to this website.

Bonnie Lowe is author of the popular Job Interview Success System and free information-packed ezine, "Career-Life Times." Find those and other powerful career-building resources and tips at her website: http://www.best-interview-strategies.com.

---

Practice Speaking

For many people, interviewing is not a natural act any... Read More

The Squirrel Effect

An industrious black-tailed ground squirrel has his home beneath a... Read More

Travel Light to Work

As a frequent traveler, my goal for each trip is... Read More

College Labor is Available in Ohio

Ohio has always been big on education and that means... Read More

Difficult Relationships at Work - Dealing with Workplace Conflict

Difficult Relationships at Work - How to Influence the UncooperativeWe... Read More

Get a Raise: How To Ask Your Boss For More Money

How many people do you know who think they deserve... Read More

Start Working Before You Get Hired

What if there were a way to *prove* to any... Read More

How To Find A Telecommute Job

The answer may be easier than you think, but there's... Read More

Factual Employment Screening Part 2

An Employment Screening OutlinePolicy DevelopmentA policy of Factual Employment Screening;... Read More

Stacking The Deck In Your Favor

Many people do not bother to look at their own... Read More

Beat the Crowd with Winning Resume Cover Letters

Far too many people underestimate the importance of resume cover... Read More

Telephone Job Interview Preparation Tips

TELEPHONE INTERVIEW BACKGROUNDTelephone interviews are quite common in today's job... Read More

Focus On White-Collar Crime: Accounting Fraud and Computer Crimes Creates Need; Qualified Investing

An epidemic of white-collar financial crime has resulted in the... Read More

Discontentment in the Workplace

While more people are finding employment, more employed workers are... Read More

Ten Careers For High School Seniors Who Hate School

Let's face it?not everybody likes going to school and high... Read More

Career in the Toilet?

Individuals not within their target career field may feel insecure,... Read More

15 Tips for Writing Winning Resumes

The thought of writing a resume intimidates... Read More

Taking Your Words Seriously

When we ordered the stained glass window as... Read More

Your Interview Secret Weapon

Have you ever been on a date where you had... Read More

Planning To Work Abroad

Working abroad can be an exciting, rewarding and horizon broadening... Read More

Are You Ready For A New Career?

Is your current or most recent job truly what you... Read More

How to Overcome Being Overqualified

Have you ever gone through the interview process, felt confident... Read More

7 Steps to Interviews that Win the Job

These days, interviews don't come easily. When you get The... Read More

Book Summary: How to Work with Just About Anyone

This article is based on the following book:How... Read More

Applying for a Job in Another Country? International Resumes

Is an International Resume still a Resume? This is a... Read More

In Control - Inside Tips on Interview Success

No, you can't control how the interview will be conducted,... Read More

How to Overcome a Bad First Impression

Have any of these situations happened to you? Forgetting your... Read More

Why Use a Resume Writer or Resume-writing Service?

Here are some of the questions we have been asked... Read More

Are You Making These Common Job Interview Mistakes?

Going to an interview without a plan of action is... Read More

Culture Shock

Today we hear much talk of the 'global village'. People... Read More

How To Pick The Best Career For You, Part 1

In Part One we'll look at how Positioning or "Coming... Read More

Benefits of Mystery Shopping For Secret Shoppers

Mystery shoppers are people who are hired to scrutinize employees,... Read More

Common Resume Myths & Misconceptions

For the person crafting their first résumé the task can... Read More