Why You Shouldn\u2019t Be Nervous<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Right now, you may be nervous. But believe it or not, to your boss, someone asking for a raise may not be that big of a deal. Managers and higher-ups deal with salaries all the time. This is likely more awkward for you than for them. If they have previous experience, the thought that you\u2019re \u201cgreedy\u201d isn\u2019t going to be their first conclusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The truth is– and your boss knows this– you are not<\/em> asking for something completely outrageous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Think of it this way: all you\u2019re asking for is the acknowledgment that your work is valued at a higher level than your current salary. And at the end of the day, aren\u2019t salaries meant to be a reason to keep you, a valuable employee, around? You\u2019re not asking for a favor or a handout. It\u2019s in your workplace\u2019s best interest to put effort into keeping you around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now that you\u2019re ready, it\u2019s time to plan!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Know When to Ask<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

First things first: it\u2019s important to know when <\/em>to ask for a raise. Before you determine how you plan to initiate the conversation, pick your moment. As clich\u00e9 as it sounds, timing is everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, if your boss is clearly having a bad day– whether that means they\u2019re snapping at everyone in sight or have been locked in their office all day– then today is probably not your best bet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your boss, after all, is a regular human being with human emotions. If they\u2019re in a rush, put off the conversation until they\u2019re less busy. So, when should<\/em> you talk to them?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the chances are that they\u2019re never not <\/em>busy, then do this! Depending on your job, when you have just completed an accomplishment, saved the day, landed a big client, earned some serious profits, et cetera– your boss is more than likely to be pleased with you. This is when you head in to have that conversation. You\u2019ve got this!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Best Timing of the Year to Ask<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Asking for a raise– and almost guaranteeing that you get it– doesn\u2019t just depend on your boss\u2019 mood. You also need to take into account the financial situation of your company or business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These issues have to deal with what time of the year it is. In some businesses, there are some employers who have either annual or quarterly reviews with their employees. That\u2019s your chance to discuss your request.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Experts recommended waiting for the end of the fiscal year. If you\u2019re not familiar with the term, a fiscal year is what companies use– a 12 month period– for purposes such as tax reporting. And more importantly for you, they use it for budgeting<\/em>. When the fiscal year is coming to a close, which for most businesses, is around the end of January, this is when employers are more likely to agree to adjust your salary for the next year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take a note of when the fiscal year ends and mark it on your calendar. Why? You need to practice your pitch!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Know Your Worth<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A big part of requesting a raise– and actually getting it– is showing your boss why <\/em>you deserve it and why you\u2019re, quite clearly, being underpaid for your effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The value of your work is tied to how much you\u2019ve done for the company. As time goes on, be sure to keep a record of how your actions, decisions, and projects have helped the company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Know that even in the most positive, nourishing work environment, it\u2019s not likely that anyone else is going to remember each and every one of your amazing accomplishments. You need to do that on your own, keep track of them, and when the time comes around, present them to your boss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But before that step, collect your accomplishments, the amount of effort you put in every day, how your skills benefit the company, and see how much they\u2019re worth in dollar amounts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into a meeting to discuss increasing your raise without knowing how much you want puts you at risk of either your boss not agreeing or you <\/em>continuing to be underpaid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, find the pay range for your job and for the geographic location you\u2019re in. Once you prove that it\u2019s true, that you are <\/em>being dramatically underpaid, then this is one of the most compelling arguments you can bring to your meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Or<\/em>, if you find out that you\u2019re not underpaid for your job, but still feel you deserve a raise based on your efforts, make sure to take that into account when asking for a reasonable raise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How can you do that? If you have knowledge of what your co-workers are earning and know for a fact that they\u2019re earning more than you– without painting anyone in a negative light– present your findings. The matter of fact is that the field generally pays x amount, and you\u2019re not getting it, even though you believe your performance is worth it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you don\u2019t know how much your co-workers earn, that\u2019s totally fine too! You can also check out salary surveys and websites. While they may not be the most accurate, they\u2019re a good starting point. At the very least, they\u2019ll give you a reasonable range to start from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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