Negotiate a Raise

How to convince your employer to give you a raise

Most businesses are not running out of places to throw extra money at in today’s economy, but with a little ingenuity and the right strategy, you can negotiate a raise.  Remember, layoffs typical save a company money, and they also cause an increase in workload for the remaining employees.  Follow these steps and you could find yourself with a coveted salary increase, despite the challenging economy.

  1. Make a list of your recent accomplishments.  What have you done to save the company money, bring on new business or clients, handled an increased workload, etc.  If nothing comes to mind, you probably shouldn’t be asking for a raise.  Instead, start doing the kinds of things that your boss will notice, and that will justify a future raise.  Once you have your list, type it up and print it out.  Make nice bullet points of your accomplishments and how they have benefited the company.  Include any quantifiable monetary results if possible.
  2. Ask for a meeting to present your ideas to your boss.  Let your boss know that you’d like to discuss your recent accomplishments and next steps in your job.
  3. If a raise just isn’t in the cards for whatever reason, at least you’ve opened up discussions.  Go for other perks like more work-from-home time, a title or responsibility change, or increased vacation time.
  4. Don’t be afraid to negotiate.  Whether you’ve been with the company for years or are getting an initial job offer, don’t be afraid to negotiate.  Make sure you are confident but polite, and do your homework.  Research what typical people in your position are paid and bring those statistics to the discussion.  Always talk in ranges and never bring up a number before the other person does.

Remember, the only way to be sure you won’t get what you want is to not ask for it.  You can negotiate, and negotiate fiercely, without offending your boss or potential employer.  Don’t be afraid to smile, but let them know you are serious and responsible.  That will leave the impression that you are a nice person but you know how to handle yourself.  Practice on a friend or family member first if you’re worried about making mistakes, and solicit and internalize any feedback you get.

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