How to Ask the Boss
For a Raise -- And Get It
For a Raise -- And Get It
You've been working hard at your job for a while now, and you think you're entitled to a raise. How do you convince your boss to agree with you?
STEP 1
Start by knowing what the market is paying for your position. Professional organizations often publish salary surveys that might be a good starting point.
Ask around, as well. Your friends and co-workers may prove helpful. Just remember to check with trusted sources; you never know when a co-worker is inflating his salary to brag.
Your human resources department might also help, as they may publish pay ranges for job titles, especially at large companies.
STEP 2
Next, you must prove to your boss that you are worth the money. Think strategically. How much money have you saved the company, or how much revenue have you generated? What other accomplishments can you point to?
Be specific, and back up your list with numbers and facts. Before-and-after comparisons are useful, also. Bosses tend to have selective memory: Some employers won't always remember your successes, but they will remember your failures.
Many companies stipulate that pay raises must stay within a set range. If you feel you've taken on additional responsibilities since you were hired, you might be able to get around this by demonstrating that you are working in a job that's different from your original one.
Do not attempt to improvise. Plan what you're going to say before you meet with the boss. Also, don't be demanding or threatening. Instead, explain what you've accomplished and what you plan on doing in the future.
Then, ask how the company would feel about paying you a certain amount more per month, and demonstrate that the amount correlates with similar positions in the current market. Remember, the figure you request should be your "top limit" -- you're unlikely to get anything more than your initial request.
Finally, timing is everything. Don't ask for a pay increase when your company is hurting financially. Study your company's financial health. This is easier if you work for a publicly held company, so rely on your network and investigative skills if you are at a private company.
STEP 1
Start by knowing what the market is paying for your position. Professional organizations often publish salary surveys that might be a good starting point.
Ask around, as well. Your friends and co-workers may prove helpful. Just remember to check with trusted sources; you never know when a co-worker is inflating his salary to brag.
Your human resources department might also help, as they may publish pay ranges for job titles, especially at large companies.
STEP 2
Next, you must prove to your boss that you are worth the money. Think strategically. How much money have you saved the company, or how much revenue have you generated? What other accomplishments can you point to?
Be specific, and back up your list with numbers and facts. Before-and-after comparisons are useful, also. Bosses tend to have selective memory: Some employers won't always remember your successes, but they will remember your failures.
Many companies stipulate that pay raises must stay within a set range. If you feel you've taken on additional responsibilities since you were hired, you might be able to get around this by demonstrating that you are working in a job that's different from your original one.
Do not attempt to improvise. Plan what you're going to say before you meet with the boss. Also, don't be demanding or threatening. Instead, explain what you've accomplished and what you plan on doing in the future.
Then, ask how the company would feel about paying you a certain amount more per month, and demonstrate that the amount correlates with similar positions in the current market. Remember, the figure you request should be your "top limit" -- you're unlikely to get anything more than your initial request.
Finally, timing is everything. Don't ask for a pay increase when your company is hurting financially. Study your company's financial health. This is easier if you work for a publicly held company, so rely on your network and investigative skills if you are at a private company.
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