Asking for a Pay RaiseAsking for a raise, for some, may be the most difficult job duty ever undertaken. And unless you work for an employer with a wage grid that all employees progress through at predetermined intervals, you will need to ask for a raise some day if you want to make more money in your job.The most important thing to remember when wanting to ask for a raise is to do your homework and be prepared to negotiate and barter before you walk into the boss's office and put an ultimatum on the table. Ill-timed confrontation will put your boss on the defensive and decrease the likelihood of success. Here are seven (lucky number seven!)tips to keep in mind when asking for your raise. 1. Make sure you deserve the raise. Like applying for a job, you need to convince the employer that you are worth the extra investment. Prepare a short letter outlining your accomplishments, achievements or ways you've made yourself a more valuable employee (ie: went to night school to get an extra diploma, improved production time, increased customer satisfaction, etc.). Be specific! 2. Know what is common in your field or industry. It's no use commanding a raise if you are already being paid at the top rates for your field of work. Likewise, it isn't smart to ask for a raise that far exceeds what is the normal range of pay for the type of work you ar doing. Good places to find to find out pay rates for various jobs include the Internet (check out) www.jobfutures.ca www.careerccc.org and employment centres such as HRDC or Job Connect. 3. Be prepared to discuss and consider raise alternatives. This is also known as having a back-up plan. If your employer is unwilling or unable to entertain your request for more money, maybe you can negotiate for other job related perks. Perhaps you could instead request additional vacation time, a benefits package, a one-time lump bonus, etc...you get the point. Also, consider a wage of salary options and don't hold out to one solid be all and end all figure. 4. Expect objections and to hear 'no'. But don't be prepared to take no for an answer. If the company objects because they 'don't have the money right now,' ask when they expect to be considering raise requests in the future, or point out how you've save the company money (if this applies). If your employer doesn't agree with the list of reasons you present to back-up your deservingness for a raise, ask for objective feedback on how you can improve in order to be considered for a raise in the future. And finally don't stomp out of the room; but do convey your disappointment in the decision and that you hope that future requests will be considered. 5. Timing is everything. If a performance review is coming up, that is a great time to talk about upping your wage or salary. Or, if you've recently been delegated more responsibility, perhaps discussing an appropriate higher level of compensation to complement your increased duties is in order. However, if your company just lost a big contract or experienced reduced funding, you'll need to be more tactful in your timing. 6. Avoid stupid mistakes. Don't tell the employer why you need the money - everyone could use more money and it is unlikely that the company cares about your personal money problems. Don't be unreasonable, immature or act unprofessionally-and crying won't help the situation either. Don't ask to be paid what the person working next to you gets paid, even if they are doing the same job-employers don't appreciate this tactic and there are a myriad of reason why your neighbour gets more than you (i.e. seniority, education, experience). And don't ever threaten to leave your job if you don't get more money - many bosses would be more than happy to make your dream of earning more money a reality by letting you go and find another company willing to pay you a higher rate. 7. Set a formal business meeting to present your case. Dress up, have your list of accomplishments ready to hand over and rehearse your back-up plans or counter-offers. Make sure that you schedule this meeting at a time that is convenient for the employer and that doesn't interfere with your regular work schedule. Remember, employment is a partnership and each side has stake in the partnership. If one side perceives the other as taking advantage, progress will not be made. Look for the win-win in every encounter and be confident that you will succeed.
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