You feel you deserve a higher salary.
Simply waiting for your boss to give you a raise won’t work. If it’s time to ask for a raise, how should you do it? About.com gives us seven tips to help you accomplish that goal. You need to do some research before you are ready to ask.
1. Find out how much others working in your field are earning.
The first thing you should do before you ask for a raise is learn about typical salaries in your field. Look at salary surveys. If you belong to a professional association, check with it to see if it has salary information available.
2. Figure out how much of a raise you deserve.
Salary calculators and surveys generally present you with a range of salaries. Determine where you fit into this range. Consider the number of years you’ve been working in the field and the length of time you’ve worked for your current employer.
3. Evaluate the financial health of your employer
If your employer is having financial problems, this is not the right time to ask for a raise.
4. Prepare your argument
Think of it as selling yourself just as you would do if you were trying to get hired. Make a list of all the things you’ve accomplished for the employer. Start with the most recent accomplishments and work your way backwards. Also make a list of your relevant skills — the things that make you successful at doing your job.
5. Decide what you will do if you get turned down
Before you ask for a raise think about what you will do if your boss says “no” or agrees to give you a raise that is much smaller than the one you want.
6. Set up an appointment to talk to your boss.
Show your boss how serious you are. Treat this as a business meeting. Set up a time to meet with your boss. Don’t discuss your raise via email, at the water cooler, or by telephone (unless you and your boss don’t work at the same location).
7. Present your case.
Your boss may agree to give you a raise immediately. If that doesn’t happen you may have to do some more convincing. For more, see