Oct 11 2008
May I Please Have a Pay Raise?
Asking for a raise outside of the normal parameters is never an easy conversation. One of the things you can do is to have - in your hand - a job offer from a competing company. Before you take this tricky road though, make sure you have already decided on where you want to end up. If you are willing to leave to take the other job if the raise does not come through, you are in a better bargaining position. Before you do anything though consider the following points.
Be on your very best behavior for at least a month before asking for a pay increase. Don’t be absent, late, moody or argumentative with your supervisor and be a team player even if it is not your strong point.
Choose a good time of day and plan your location in a private office or area that is away from other people. Let her know in advance that you have something important to discuss with her.
Be calm, logical and rational when you present your case. Before beginning your request, ask that he hear you out completely before responding to you with an answer.
Memorize five or six good reasons for asking him for an increase in pay. These should be well thought out compelling reasons and should have nothing to do with your personal financial woes. For example, do not say that you cannot afford to live on your current salary because of your expenses. Do say that you are a very valuable member of his team and that you brought in a 20% increase in sales – for example - on a given item, but only if this is true.
More on this subject tomorrow.
