How Do I Ask My Boss For A Raise?

Even in tough economic times, it is fair to hope for—even to expect in some circumstances—a wage increase in your job. If the boss doesn’t do it on her own, you may need to make a case for it. Providing for a family is a challenge; you need to be paid a decent salary. The following is a simple, step-by-step plan to allow you to ask your boss for the raise you deserve.

1. Deserve the rise. People always believe they deserve special raise. Before you go ask for a raise, be sure you really are doing more than is required of you.

2. Focus on results. Everyone can ride the argument. “I’m working harder than Sally and Bob and they make more than I do; I deserve particular praise.” The argument sounds more like a whine than a defensible case. Rather than focus on your inputs (hours, ideas, and effort) to place emphasis on the outputs (results, outcomes, and achievements). Don’t just identify your accomplishments (“I successfully completed project A.”) Define the consequences. (“I just successfully completed project A which saved the company $50,000.”)

3. Make the pitch. Once your case is prepared, you really deserve a raise and you can quantify your value in terms of dollars, make an appointment with your boss to be assured you’ve got her undivided, focused attention. You know your boss better than I do, but being prepared is critical. Don’t over prepare. 42 slides PowerPoint presentation is way over the top. Be willing to make a three to five minute verbal pitch, no memos, no slides, outlining the consequences you’ve achieved—well in excess of your total compensation package.

4. Don’t demand a precise number. The biggest reason not to demand a rise of a definite amount is that your boss may be willing to do much more than you hoped or expected. If you call for too much, you may frustrate your boss who would give you a raise, but can’t deliver on your demand.

5. Be patient. Regardless of what your boss does, she’ll likely say something along the lines of. “tell me what the hell I can do.” This may be to make you out of her office and it may be because she really wants to talk to the powers that be to see what she can be done for you. Don’t pester her. Wait up to 30 days for her to return to you.

6. Show appreciation. Whatever raise your boss provides, show appreciation. You never know the political sacrifices she may have carried out on your behalf, even if the rise is disappointing. Remember that in a high unemployment world, your family will be very glad you got any raise at all.

7. Find an alternative. If the raise you are offered is inadequate, seek out an alternative by quietly testing the market. Pass your resume around, network, apply for a few open positions. If is there a bona fide offer that you really could take, you may give your boss one last chance to boost you up to the level of the offer. This often works.

8. Don’t bluff. If you tell your boss, you have an offer when you don’t, be prepared to pack up your stuff and go inside. Odds are good your boss will sniff out the bluff and her reaction may be supposed to be very bad for your career.

9. Being underpaid isn’t all bad. If you are underpaid and both you and your boss know it, there is one big advantage: in adverse times, you will be the final person fired. Being the highest paid person in your department is like having a target painted on your chest. Not only will you be considered to a higher standard of performance, you could be the first one to be made in order to arduous times.

For more guidance about asking for a raise, consider reading the book, Indispensable by Monday (amen.To/TTjUYD).

Bosses rarely appreciate their employees enough. You know that’s true. It’s also true that most workers don’t appreciate their jobs enough. Be thankful you’ve got one. Your family is.