How To Ask For a Raise

Ever had that sick feeling in your gut like when you are trying to figure out how to ask for a raise? You know what I'm talking about - the churning of the stomach, sweaty palms, dry mouth, and nervous pacing.

What if they say "NO"!! I take this kind of stuff personal. It must be ME!

I am trying to get my head around the fact that it could just be the economy and that the company can't afford it. May be it's not me at all. At least that is how I try to pump myself up.

Still I pass by that office door without being able to make a right turn I am not prepared enough on how to ask for a raise. They say that if you educate yourself and do your homework most of the nerves will go away.

Forbes.com came out with a great little article on what NOT to do.

1 Don't act like you're entitled to a raise
2 Don't tell the boss why you need more money
3 Don't stamp your feet, pound the desk or cry
4 Don't say you should be paid the same as Good Old Billy Bob
5 Don't threaten to quit
6 Don't get personal
7 Don't go for overkill

http://www.forbes.com/2006/01/04/careers-work-employment-cx_sr_0105bizbasics.html

The Forbes article went on to interview Bill Coleman from Salary.com. Which is a great site to find out what others like you are being compensated.


They mention steps to take but I think that Mary Stewart McGovern did a better job of explaining it:

Do you know how to ask for a raise? by Mary Stewart McGovern — job search, jobs, bonus | Gather
www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977...

1. Review your accomplishments. Make a list of everything positive you have done since your last review.

2. What is the "going rate" for your job? Go online and do a salary comparison search. Find out what other people with similar backgrounds and job titles are earning in your neck of the woods.

3. Come up with a desirable range, and make sure to leave some "wiggle" room. If you want a 5% increase, ask for 7% or 8%. That way, if you have to, you have room to negotiate - and still get your "absolute minimum."

4. Schedule a meeting. I know, I know... most bosses have an "open door" policy with their employees. But, for something like this, you really need to have the professionalism of a scheduled appointment.

5. Be prepared for a "worst case" scenario. Your boss may say "no" or "it's not in the budget right now." Ask your boss if there is anything you can do, additionally, that would make a raise happen faster.

6. If the outcome is the "worst case" scenario, what are you going to do? Are you going to continue working, or start looking elsewhere?


For point number 2 besides using Salary.com there are some other sites:
OpportunityKnocks.org, Non-ProfitJobsCoop.org and Idealist.org are good places to go for more comparisons.

Another great point I uncovered was...Practice, Practice, Practice!!! You should practice on a friend or someone that will tell you the truth. This person also has to play the role of your boss. They need to reject you so your brain gets use to it. Role play with them and try to come up with all the objections you can think of.

OK, maybe I should take my own medicine before I go in next month for my review. I'm nervous and it's a MONTH away. I haven't worked in a place were I needed to ask for a raise very often.

Time to start some salary research. I just hope to get enough of a raise to get me back to even because of inflation. No sense going in the hole every month because bread costs more.

Hope this helps you to take a long look in the mirror and tell yourself that you are worth it. Think of all the benefits that you provide to your position. That's what I'm going to do.

Does anyone have any good books on the subject? I am open to anything at this point on how to ask for a raise.