As time passes and you get better at what you do, it's common to expect a better salary. In the ideal world, your boss would notice your accomplishments and willingly offer you a raise. In the real world though, it's an entirely different story.

The answer to your request for a raise might end up being a 'yes' or a 'no' regardless of how you ask for it. But there are ways to increase your chances of getting a 'yes'. These 6 tips should help you find the best way that works for you.

 

Do your research

Before negotiating your salary with your superiors, start by conducting background research to determine your market value. This will give your raise request a solid foundation and, in turn, provide you with more realistic expectations.

One good technique would be to look at the salary trends of other professionals with similar job titles, qualifications and responsibilities.

 

Ask for more responsibilities

 

If your current role isn't leveraging all you have to offer, or your day-to-day tasks aren't challenging you to improve, consider asking for more responsibilities.

 

Brainstorm about specific duties you'd like to take on, and think of how they can benefit your company as a whole. This will show your boss that you're a motivated employee who isn't afraid to take initiative. It will also make you more valuable to the company, and potentially influence any future decisions concerning a salary raise.

 

Request feedback from your superiors

It can be a scary prospect to seek feedback from your superiors, but their input can be instrumental in strengthening your performance.

During regular check-ins with your supervisor, ask about both what you're doing well and what you can improve on. Use the positive comments to back up your eventual raise request, and take on the constructive feedback to become a better employee and increase your salary-boosting chances.

 

Plan your pitch

 

 

 

Don't wing it. Plan a meeting with your relevant superior, and then write and rehearse a well-prepared agenda. Consider the many possible responses you'll get for your request, and try your best to address them in case they actually come up.

 

 

 

Apart from listing your accomplishments and reasons why you think you deserve a better pay, mention added responsibilities you took on that helped the company improve, successful projects that you led and any future plans or goals you have to elevate your department or the whole company.

Bonus tip: Make your boss' life easier. Print out a copy of the points you want to raise during the meeting, so that your boss can look over them and discuss them with other supervisors. Or e-mail them your points before or after the set meeting.

Choose the right time to ask

Most employees assume there's only one right time to ask for a raise - during annual reviews. In reality, it might be one of the worst times to ask, because you're most likely competing with other colleagues using the same yearly opportunity.

Choose a low-stress period, or align your raise request with the company's financial trajectory. Ask the HR or financial department when new funding might be coming in, when the new fiscal year is starting, or when you think your employer could easily factor in an increase in pay.

Bonus tip: Ask after a big accomplishment. Have you just scored a great deal, or landed a big sale? Now might be the perfect time to capitalise on the momentum of your success and ask for a raise.

 

Don't be discouraged if the answer is 'No'

 

After all that preparation, it's the two-letter word that you definitely do not want to hear. But getting a 'No' doesn't mean the battle is lost.

 

You can request an interim performance appraisal, whereby your superior sets clearly defined and timed goals for you to achieve that could seal your salary increase. Don't be afraid to ask what more you can do to get a raise if you know you deserve it.

 

 

Not comfortable with asking someone from an internal department at work for financial advice about asking for a raise? Consult one of the Financial Planning Consultants listed on Yellow.

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