It’s something that you know you deserve but can’t find the guts to ask for. Earning yourself a raise is a natural way to progress in your career and yet, so few of us have the confidence to ask for what we’ve earned, waiting instead for it to be offered to us. It’s time to take action and go after what you want. Talking your way around a salary increase can actually be remarkably painless and as long as you know what to say, you can get around the subject very easily. Want to ask for what you want? Confidence is key.
- Start High
A tactic that is so often used in the world of business, starting your bidding above what you actually want to earn is a great way of getting the result that you had hoped to achieve. Try thinking about the salary you would like to earn, then increasing it by 20-25%. The number might seem high at first but after a little compromisation with your boss, you could be on the road to the raise you wanted. If you’re new at a company, however, it might be worth holding off until you’re in a more senior position. Know your role and go for what feels most appropriate.
- Do Your Research
Turning up in a meeting with your boss and simply demanding a raise is unlikely to get you anywhere; you need to convince them that this is what you deserve. Before you even enter the room, collect together a number of pieces of evidence which demonstrate exactly what it is that you’ve done for the company. The more positive information you have with you, the more likely it is that you will be successful.
- Widen Your Options
One of the best ways in which to successfully earn yourself a raise is to have a number of other options waiting for you and to make your boss aware of the face. Going into a negotiation meeting with another job offer on the table is much more likely to swing the ball into your court. While being confident is key to the exchange, however, a certain amount of respect to your current company won’t go amiss. You might hold all of the cards, but you still need to show your care and commitment to your current job.
- Give Something Back
Asking your boss for a raise puts them in a delicate position with those higher up in the company and if they give in to your needs, they’re going to want good reasoning why the salary increase is a good idea. Communicate to your boss exactly how the raise can help not only them and their team but also, the company as a whole. Try researching future projects and the company’s revenue chart to back up your argument; it’s about the business as a whole, not just you.