Feeling overworked and underpaid? If you're starting to feel like you deserve a raise, here are eight DO's and DON'Ts to build your confidence and tact (and what to avoid!) in asking for the salary you feel you deserve.
DO
1. Devise a "Plan of Action". First and foremost, get a strategy together. Make a note of the specific projects you've undertaken and the results you've accomplished. List all of your job skills and the features that make you an asset to this company. Find out what a typical raise is for someone with your experience in your area of occupation. Know the facts and be realistic in your request.
2. Ask for an amount that's slightly higher than one you would be happy with. If you would be happy with a 5% raise, ask for one a couple of points above it. That way, if your boss starts to negotiate, you won't feel as if your worth has been diluted any by getting less than what you feel you deserve.
3. Remember, your boss shouldn't be the only one negotiating. If your company is going through a slow period or the economy is down, try to be flexible and know how to respond if your boss suggests a lower amount than what you may have been expecting. Consider other ways of getting a raise too, such as additional vacation time, employee perks or more time off. All of these can be just as good (if not better!) than an actual amount of money.
4. Choose a specific day and time to meet with your supervisor about your raise request. Avoid choosing a Monday or Friday when bosses are at their busiest. Studies have actually shown that people are more receptive on a Tuesday or Wednesday after lunch. That way, they're not thinking about the weekend or their stomachs while you're getting up the nerve to ask about a raise! If you're afraid of being interrupted during your request, ask to speak to your supervisor for a few minutes after hours.
DON'T
1. Raise your tone of voice if your boss objects to your raise at first. Remember, he or she is paying you to do a certain job, and you're asking for more money to do the same job. Be professional and polite at all times, and listen more than demand. Chances are, if your supervisor doesn't award you a raise, they might hint at what else could be done to earn it. If they don't, don't be afraid to ask what steps would be necessary to "prove yourself".
2. Threaten with quitting if you don't get the raise or telling your boss you have another job offer unless you actually do. He may just call your bluff and let you go!
3. Stumble or beat around the bush with your request. Be straightforward and confident. You are a valuable member of a team and the supervisor hired you because they obviously thought you were the best qualified. If you have "Thank You" notes from customers or letters from the company praising you for a job well done, bring those to your meeting as well, as they'll help to cement your request and remind your supervisor of your role within the company and its progress.
4. Compare yourself to, or talk negatively about your coworkers or others in a position higher than you. You may think that this will put you in a positive light when it comes to a promotion or a raise, but to your boss, it shows that if you have a poor attitude toward your colleagues, you'll keep the same poor attitude if you are promoted.
Remember, be confident, professional and tactful. If the boss says "no" or wants to "think about it", open his mind to further consideration by volunteering to do more at the office. Stay an extra hour or help another team on a critical project. This demonstrates that you're willing to "tow the mark" rather than giving your boss the impression of "gimme the money first and THEN I'll work". Good luck!
***************************************
? 2005 David A. Bailey, Jr. All rights reserved.
Feel free to forward this in its entirety to anyone you wish.
***************************************
If you join the money making mastermind and participate faithfully while allowing these powerful money making ideas to stimulate your brain...and you carry them out with persistence and intelligence, I guaratee it will revolutionize your financial life and your objective will have been half-way reached, even before you begin to recognize it.
David A. Bailey, Jr shares his best little known and secret money making ideas, projects, plans and hot new information products and services. Learn the latest ways to make money on the Internet that really work. No filler, just the facts about new ways to make fast money -delivered daily. SERIOUS ONLY.
join the money making mastermind
best cleaning company Highland Park ..On March 27th 2005, Oxford won the annual boat race... Read More
Courage is something that is reflected and reciprocated, and is... Read More
A More Effective WayI own a stack of self improvement... Read More
Reggie Yates, a pop song presenter, was singing on 7th... Read More
When you analyze the traits of successful people, you will... Read More
(excerpted from the Day That Turns Your Life Around)After having... Read More
Our expectations get us into a lot of trouble and... Read More
On your journey to moving past using food to cope... Read More
"Never, never, never give up; never give up, never!." -... Read More
Q. My problem is that I have trouble keeping my... Read More
The ability to achieve our enormous untapped potential is directly... Read More
Self-change is a personal phenomenon. In order to accomplish it,... Read More
You have a choice today?You can remain in the same... Read More
How many times have you thought about being successful, famous,... Read More
Both the worst and the best of the great achievers... Read More
Do you feel you lead a healthy and happy life?... Read More
I am unashamed to copy the peak performance techniques of... Read More
When my neighbor's child was about 8, he decided that... Read More
I am constantly approached by people when I am speaking... Read More
Walt Disney coined a special phrase for persistence and determination;... Read More
People like to emerge as winners by hook or crook... Read More
Success is a journey and along the way we need... Read More
The Definition Of PerseveranceFrom a dictionary: "Persisting in or remaining... Read More
An effective self- concept generates the desire to strive for... Read More
This article is about a subject that few people think... Read More
high-end home cleaning Winnetka ..Affirmations are emotionally driven statements of intention and faith that... Read More
Picture this scene: Little Johnny's mother places a large piece... Read More
When entering second adulthood, many women will begin a journey... Read More
Being organised is a major step to success and the... Read More
Since December 1st 2004, I have written one article or... Read More
We all know as we are progressing towards our personal... Read More
Something happens when you come to the intersection... Read More
Have you ever wondered why you're not where you want... Read More
Too often we wait for the 'right time' or 'the... Read More
If you look back to the 70s and 80s, many... Read More
Many people ask me how they can be more successful.The... Read More
For every disciplined effort, there are multiple rewards. That's one... Read More
Following are a series of questions I needed to ask... Read More
Jim Rohn, noted leader and speaker in the personal development... Read More
To make change effective, you have to BE what you... Read More
Very few of us can pick up a complex task... Read More
Dr. Wayne Dyer published his best-selling book, "10 Secrets for... Read More
Here are 3 powerful steps you can take to free... Read More
The problem with writing about success is that almost everything... Read More
Much has been researched, written and taught about success. One... Read More
There's always a first time to meeting people. We want... Read More
Looking for a way to make this year your best... Read More
Your mind is the only tool that can create success... Read More
How many times have you thought about being successful, famous,... Read More
All of us could work on our skills in influencing... Read More
Success |