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
maid service near Glencoe ..."And when it rains on your parade, look up rather... Read More
Did you know you can literally program your mind so... Read More
You can be a master achiever by developing the same... Read More
Does it surprise you that only 400 cokes were sold... Read More
They say that if you really want to stretch yourself... Read More
I spoke recently with the owner of a large clothing... Read More
An old fable tells about a religious man and a... Read More
What do you need to do to be successful? If... Read More
Fear.Everything in this world has its opposite.Good has bad.Optimism has... Read More
Both the worst and the best of the great achievers... Read More
With the long-term trend of protecting employees' individual self esteem... Read More
Our lives and the circumstances we live in are largely... Read More
Abundance is intangible, spiritual and attracts energy. To attract this... Read More
I could labor the idea but then that would only... Read More
Personal missions statements (PMS) are just nothing but the winning... Read More
One of the most important aspects of creating success involves... Read More
"The secret of success is to make what you are... Read More
The Winner's Walk is a key strategy in the sport... Read More
My studies of the highly successful prove that they continually... Read More
People have a tremendous capacity for outstanding achievement. There are... Read More
Congratulations! You are the president of your own nation, and... Read More
(1) Climb up from under the limitations of circum?stances and... Read More
Are you:- feeling unfulfilled and dissatisfied with your life?- ready... Read More
Take a page from Eastern wisdom Meditation, martial arts that... Read More
Okay, so you've finally made that big decision to start... Read More
full-service cleaning Highland Park ...This morning, on TV, I was amazed to see how... Read More
"When I think back on all the crap I learned... Read More
Hello,You are reading this article because you are one of... Read More
Wealth is more than money. It's abundance, or as the... Read More
To have a high probability of becoming prosperous, you have... Read More
"In a moment of decision, the best thing you can... Read More
Recently, I was asked to write a Top 10 list... Read More
We own a home on the island of Puerto Rico... Read More
One of the greatest compliments I ever received in my... Read More
Everybody wants to get to the top, whether it is... Read More
People often ask me how I became successful in that... Read More
To realize that you determine the outcome of your own... Read More
Everybody suffers rejection at some time or another in their... Read More
For centuries Protestant Christians have argued that you can reach... Read More
Step 1 ? Learn a powerful key to increase financial... Read More
Self-improvement; A great deal has been written on the subject,... Read More
I'm going to begin this article by sharing a little... Read More
You must understand You are already a Success, and before... Read More
Clown around Among the Plains Indians, heyoka, or sacred clowns,... Read More
Have you ever had such thoughts like "I always fall... Read More
"The reason man may become the master of his own... Read More
All of us could work on our skills in influencing... Read More
Ever have those days where no matter what you try... Read More
Two weeks ago we took a look at the power... Read More
-- The One Pager Shortcut Series --What are the sharpest... Read More
Success |