Earlier this week, we talked about knowing when it’s appropriate to ask for raise. Today, we’re going to talk about how to ask for a raise. There are several important steps you need to take before speaking to your manager. Here are some tips to help you get ready:
PREPARE YOUR CASE
As you get ready to ask for a raise, you should be doing your homework. You’ll need to provide tangible examples of your accomplishments and value to your workplace. Try to keep your feelings and emotions out of it. This is all about how you benefit the company, not about how a raise will benefit you.
BE REALISTIC
Come in with a prepared number, but make sure that's it's realistic. As you do your research, you'll find what people in similar positions are making. Take that into account along with your years of experience, skills, and the area in which you live. If you ask for something above your market value, your manager may be more likely to deny your request.
SET UP A TIME
Don't treat asking for a raise casually. It isn't something that should be done in an email, around the watercooler, or when you run into each other in the hallway. Set up a time with your boss that you can come into their office and discuss the situation. Treat it like a job interview or any other important meeting.
DON'T COMPARE
If you know that a co-worker makes more money than you, do not use this as reasoning as to why you should get a raise. You don't know why they make more money and there may be a perfectly reasonable explanation as to why they do. Also, you run the chance of looking petty or jealous in front of your boss, and you don't want that to happen.
HAVE A BACK- UP PLAN
Obviously, when we ask for a raise, we hope we get it. But what happens if you don’t? Come up with a plan in case you don't get the answer you're hoping for. Ask for feedback on why the answer is 'no' and what you can do to make it a 'yes.' If your boss says it's something you can look at in the future, try to pin down a specific date. You'll also need to decide if you're you willing to continue working for your employer at the same rate or if it's time to move on.
