Should you ask for a pay raise or should you avoid it? Do you hope raise would be good this time or it would be the same old story? Do you think your boss would take care of your raise or you feel that injustice would be done again? This and couple of other questions must be revolving in your mind before every increment and you must be wondering what can be done about it. There are some who try every tricks of the trade while there are others who leave everything thing to luck. But the big question always remains, Is something can be done about it? How you can ask for a promotion or get the raise without affecting your current position or standing in the company?

 

Over all these years, right form my first job; I have seen this topic to become everyone’s favorite whenever appraisal is round the corner.  It does eat away some productive time of employees but this is bound to happen if the policies and procedures introduced by company are not robust. Money is one of biggest motivation factor and employers sometimes simply forget it. But there is a difference. The intensity is more at junior levels than at senior level mainly because of variation in salary structure that get introduced with each level.

 

I started by reading many views offered by many people over the web. To me some people appeared as if they have never worked in a corporate environment while there were others who got too much into details of personal conduct. I have always believed success to be a mixture of many things like hard work, persistence, being smart etc. and this topic is no different. Yes, you can get raise provided you deserve it and your management knows that you deserve it. If this is ensured then all that is left is to make it happen. I will not give you a sample letter but an understanding of how to approach it and get desired results. This is something which leads us to how to ask for the raise and get it.

 

The Big Question before we even start- Do asking about a raise even helps?

 

Yes it does help to ask for a Pay Raise.

 

How I can say that? My experience buddies, not only how I ask for a raise from my boss but also how my team take up this topic with me.

 

And there is a difference

 

1)     Difference exist between the people who ask or avoid it

2)     Difference exist between the people who pursue or leave it to chance

3)     Difference exists between people who go for the kill and the one’s who wait for the bait.

 

Let’s get deeper into why asking about it really help.

 

When you ask for a raise

 

1)     You let your manager know that you are looking forward to it

2)     You manager indirectly gets inclined to give deep look into your case

3)     No matter what, he cannot ignore your case

 

Yes, He cannot ignore you because

 

1)     It creates tension in his mind.

2)     Your manager knows that by not doing it he has to answer your questions.

3)     Most important, in order to confront you he has to convince himself first.

 

The case is definitely different from people who don’t even ask. If you don’t ask your manager would give you the theory he has made for every other person and you would have no other option than to buy it.

 

But if you ask for it earlier then he has to confront the question that why he is unable to help you?

 

That makes difference. No one wants to be a loser and someone who cannot help.

 

Create Tension in your Boss mind by Asking for a Pay raise. Sitting back won’t help.

 

It turns the odd in your favor.

 

Next Question- When You should not ask for a raise

 

 The answer here is simple. Ask yourself first, do you deserve it or not. If not then chances are that asking about it won’t help and you might make a dent in your current position.

 

Manager at times use this opportunity to show the mirror to their employees. They may not say you anything and let the things roll as it is. But if you instigate something which you don’t deserve then chances are that he might take you head on and make situation un-comfortable for you. You might be forced to carry on with lower dignity or even leave.

 

As mentioned twice earlier, Don’t ask for a raise if you don’t deserve it. Avoid it. Improve your performance and get worthy of it.

 

Next Question- Is there any Preparation involved.

 

Yes there is preparation involved. The preparation is

 

1)     Get to the top in terms of performance

2)     Make sure your Boss knows about it

3)     Validate it through acknowledgements

 

If you are good and the company acknowledges it then the odds is in your favor.

 

And keep the data ready

 

1)     Data on your performance

2)     Data on movement of salaries in the industry

3)     Any cases within company where there is salary deviation (caution- use it for reference but never name individual directly. Avoid believing on rumors or avoiding company rules)

 

 

Inspite of above I prefer a situation where

 

1)     You don’t need to talk about salaries, people, or performance

2)     Your performance speaks for you

3)     When discussion happens it is a total kill

 

The Final Part- How to Ask for a Raise

 

There are two stages to it. Casual talk and Formal talk.

 

Casual Talk  

1)     Happens before formal talk

2)     It sets stage for the formal talk

3)     It enforces your position in Formal Talk

 

And

1)     It is used to throw pointers to your Boss

2)     You don’t and should not expect answer from your boss

3)     It is a cursory remark which can sets your Boss thinking

 

Examples include- Company is doing well and I hope they will take care of employees

 

Be innovative, craft your own words which are just remarks and does not sound offending.

 

Formal talk

1)     You need time of your Boss

2)     Make sure there is no one to disturb

3)     Be very serious and open

 

When you talk

1)     Talk about need for the raise and your expectations

2)     Talk about your performance and how you are an asset to company

3)     Use comparisons, references etc politely to show how you deserve it. (remember -don’t humiliate the boss or company)

 

The discussion

1)     Is best to reinforce your demands

2)     Your Boss may not commit but he at least knows

3)     You register your case in his mind

 

And after every discussion

1)     You may or may not get assurance

2)     There can be no result at all

3)     Things stays as it is

 

It important is not to take this to your ego is you get negative result. There can be valid reasons for which you need to keep an open mind.

 

On Other Side- If you get the word of assurance from your Boss- Bingo

 

Get the word, don’t push for how much and when. It will happen at appropriate time.

 

Continued Below.........

And Before everything else make sure

 

1)     Your company is in a position to give a raise. The discussion then becomes different.

2)     Your Boss is in a Good Mood. A study proves that chances of success are high.

 

This formula helps. It has helped me. It has helped my team to extract good recommendations from me.

 

Try it.

 

You get things by asking otherwise who would know about your need.

 

 

Dont get frustrated by not doing anything. Get frustrated by trying everything. It will help you in life.

 

Sell Yourself Smartly.

 

Photo Credit-Pink Sherbet Photography

How To Ask For A Raise

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