| "> | | | | Do not let them tell you about the cost of living |
| Be honest: have you ever wanted a raise at work, | | | | adjustments, how nobody else got one, or how |
| but were too afraid to ask for one - or uncertain as | | | | tough times are. Instead, put a blunt question to your |
| to how to get it? When it comes to the workplace, | | | | boss. Ask "What do I need to do in order to get a |
| one of the least favorite tasks facing workers is | | | | 'X' percent raise (fill in the number you want) in one |
| asking for a raise, especially these days. I know there | | | | year's time?" Maybe you want that raise six months |
| are some onerous bosses out there, and I realize, of | | | | from now, or perhaps your boss will agree to revisit |
| course, that we're all dealing with tighter budgets. But | | | | in the following quarter. But don't just ask for a raise. |
| the truth of the matter is: if you're cash-strapped, | | | | Ask for a specific raise, in percentage terms, and |
| the simple act of walking into your boss's office and | | | | give it a time frame. Have your boss spell out what |
| getting a raise could be just the thing you need to | | | | standards he or she would like to see you meet. |
| boost your finances in this shaky economy. | | | | If there are performance issues to address, handle |
| And believe it or not, you can get a raise now, even | | | | them. But your boss may say something like, "Well, |
| amid the economic downturn. I know some of you | | | | I'd really like to see you meet such and such sales |
| doubters are going to say, "But there are layoffs | | | | targets, complete this or that project, and brush up |
| taking place right now," or "My boss is a total | | | | on your technical skills." Whatever the boss says, |
| tightwad," or "Our company isn't doing so hot | | | | make sure you get an agreement in writing-even if |
| financially and they've told us no raises." | | | | it's just e-mail-so that you'll have the basis of an |
| To all of those excuses I say: they don't matter. First | | | | understanding surrounding the issue. |
| of all, realize that many companies are indeed | | | | Get Everything In Writing |
| offering raises, even if they're not publicizing it. An | | | | One easy way to do this is to merely go back to |
| October 2009 survey from CareerBuilder and USA | | | | your desk, write your boss an e-mail saying thanks |
| Today found that while most companies expected | | | | for meeting with me and here's my understanding, |
| salaries to remain flat into early 2010, 40% of | | | | based on our conversation, of what you'd be looking |
| employers expect to raise salaries between 1 and | | | | for in order for me to earn a merit-based increase. |
| 11% or more over the next three months. Beyond | | | | Also note the agreed-upon time frame at which the |
| the statistics, however, there are techniques savvy | | | | two of you will revisit this topic. When you do go |
| workers can use to get raises, even when others | | | | back, three months, six months or even a year later, |
| aren't landing them. | | | | if you've done all that your boss has asked-along |
| Get a Raise By Proving You Deserve It | | | | with documentation of your accomplishments in your |
| There are several sure-fire strategies you can | | | | growing "Praise" folder-your boss will be hard-pressed |
| implement to make sure you get a raise-even in the | | | | to turn you down for that raise. When you meet his |
| harshest economic environment. First, you must | | | | or her own criteria for performance goals, work |
| constantly document your work accomplishments to | | | | measurements, and other targets, the boss will have |
| demonstrate your performance and what you offer | | | | little choice but to honor your justified request for |
| to the organization. In other words, do not just walk | | | | that 10 percent raise, or else he risks looking like a |
| into to your boss and say, "I want a raise," or "I | | | | liar, or at least someone who doesn't keep his word. |
| think deserve a raise." Your boss won't care that | | | | This is one way you really negotiate from a position |
| you've been doing good work, or that you've come | | | | of strength on the job. |
| to work every day on time. That's not good enough. | | | | Recommended Resource on Negotiating a Pay Raise |
| That's a basic minimum level of expected | | | | One great online resource to consult is from the Wall |
| performance. | | | | Street Journal. It's packed with lots of free tips and |
| You have to show-in numerical terms-how you | | | | great information on negotiating a winning |
| benefit the organization. If you saved the company | | | | compensation package. |
| 'X' amount of dollars, if you created a new program | | | | By the way, if you can't score a raise and are |
| that has generated a certain amount of income for | | | | thinking about jumping ship to a new employer, take |
| the business, if you have been instrumental in training, | | | | heart in knowing that the best time to secure the |
| if you have done hiring, if you have been a sales | | | | most dollars from your employer is when you first |
| superstar, whatever it is that you have done, | | | | get hired. That's the point at which you have lots of |
| document that. | | | | room to negotiate for a host of perks, including extra |
| When you get performance appraisals, feedback, and | | | | vacation time, annual bonuses, stock options, and |
| e-mails from customers, peers, and your higher-ups, | | | | more. When an employer really wants to bring you |
| and they notice what you have done, keep a running | | | | on board, you'll also have more leverage in getting a |
| log of all of those things. Those communications and | | | | higher starting salary. Ask about benefits such as |
| feedback become part of your success story. That is | | | | tuition reimbursement plans, and inquire about |
| what you are going to bring to the table, because | | | | whether your boss would even pay off your student |
| ultimately the person with the most information is | | | | loans as part of an employment incentive contract to |
| going to win when it comes to negotiating for a | | | | keep you as a loyal employee of the company. Amid |
| salary increase. Think of the dossier you create of all | | | | your negotiations, you obviously want to bargain for |
| your accomplishments and various pats on the back | | | | the best overall compensation package. But don't |
| for a job well done as your "Praise" folder-it's praise | | | | forget to lobby hard to make sure that the meat of |
| about the great work that you've done over the | | | | your compensation - your basic cash salary - |
| course of the year. | | | | adequately compensates you for the value that you |
| Negotiate a Raise From a Position of Strength | | | | bring to an organization. |
| Secondly, always negotiate from a position of | | | | If All Else Fails - Get the Raise Your Boss Can't Say |
| strength-not need or greed. Do not go complaining to | | | | "No" To |
| your boss, "You know I just had a baby," or "My | | | | As a last-ditch strategy, those of you who are |
| spouse and I just bought a new house and we've | | | | cash-strapped and unable to secure a raise should |
| got tons of student loans and other bills to pay...blah, | | | | consider another alternative. Have you gotten a tax |
| blah, blah." Most bosses don't care about your | | | | refund check in the past or do you anticipate getting |
| personal problems; they do not want to hear about | | | | one in the future? Well anytime you get a big refund |
| your financial troubles or how many bills you have. So | | | | check from Uncle Sam all that really means is that |
| you need to negotiate in their language, with terms | | | | you have given the government an interest-free loan. |
| and information that is relevant to them. By telling | | | | So adjust your withholdings at work. Do not get a |
| you to negotiate from a position of strength, I'm | | | | refund check. |
| suggesting that you show and quantify the value you | | | | What you have to do is fill out a form called a W-4. |
| bring to your organization. Demonstrate your | | | | You should also get IRS publication 919 (available at |
| accomplishments and make your case persuasively. | | | | which walks you through the whole process of |
| Say: "This is where I have been extremely | | | | properly filling out a W-4. It's not overly complicated |
| successful. This is where I have contributed. This is | | | | but this publication spells out in detail the ways in |
| where I have been able to save money." And then | | | | which you can adjust your W-4 at work. What you |
| proceed to enumerate those accomplishments in | | | | are going to do, in a nutshell, is increase the number |
| financial terms or using cold, hard statistics that can't | | | | of allowances that you claim on line five of your W-4 |
| be refuted. | | | | form. The goal is to decrease the withholding amount |
| Get a Raise By Putting the Ball In Your Boss's Corner | | | | and ultimately receive a bigger paycheck. For those |
| Lastly, be specific in what you want. Let's say the | | | | of you who usually get tax refunds, adjusting your |
| boss does turn you down. Assume that he or she | | | | W-4 at work will instantly put money in your pocket. |
| won't give you a raise right now no matter how | | | | That extra money will immediately get funneled into |
| much you demonstrate your case, quantify your | | | | your paycheck. So let's say you usually get a $2,400 |
| value, and negotiate from a position of strength. | | | | refund, which is close to the average of what many |
| Here's what to do next to make sure you ultimately | | | | people receive. Well, $2,400 dollars translates into |
| get that raise. Put the ball in your boss's corner. Not | | | | $200 a month that you could be getting right now in |
| only you are going to be specific in saying "I want a | | | | your paycheck. If you get paid once every two |
| raise," you are also going to make them justify why | | | | weeks, expect to see an extra hundred bucks in |
| you don't merit one. You have to be artful here. But | | | | each paycheck. |
| the idea is that you want to turn things around and | | | | This is one way to get a raise that your boss has no |
| say, "Well, I think I have made a very strong case as | | | | say-so over! |
| to why I deserve a raise.'" | | | | |