Do you have tips on how to ask for a raise?

k&d2006

I have a great job and don't want to push the envelope. We don't have a booming business, but I don't feel insecure about the longterm outlook of my job either. I have been here since the very first day of business over 4 yrs ago and have had 1 review and 2 raises. The second raise I got only because someone else less important was going to be making more, so they bumped me up with no review needed. The actual review was 2 years ago and it was only because I kept bugging them to death about never having one. My gripe is that they are "supposed" to do this yearly as state regulations say, and I don't mind not having them, as I don't care to hear what they don't like about me, but now with daycare, and gas prices, I need a little more, even if it's just in vacation time. How do I approach this positively with my superiors? FYI. I do not have management onsite daily. They are in another building and rarely do I hear anything from them. My direct report was at our Christmas party and I talked to him maybe twice since our last Christmas party. It's ridiculous, but I do like it better than being micromanaged. any tips on getting a review/raise?

stacyinluv

I would ask about when you will have a review.  If they give you a date, get your information together and present it during your review.  If they don't give you any indication of having a review any time soon, schedule a meeting with the powers that be (get your information together) and state that it's been x years since your last review, here are the items you have been working on, your accomplishments, and your goals.  Good luck.

tmp-324450

Hi k&d...I am a career counselor and salary negotiation is a topic that comes up frequently, here are some tips I would recommend....

 

***Always do salary negotiation face-to-face or via phone?email is a very simple way to get your request denied as it is impersonal, among other things. 

 

1.       Ask yourself, ?What part of my salary/benefits/time off/etc. is unacceptable or low par??

 

2.       If it?s the salary, have a clear idea about the going rate for someone with your level of experience (view comparable jobs on company?s website/check out competitor?s website that has similar jobs). 

 

3.        When asking for the increase, begin with positive aspects of your job that you enjoy, after that lead in with ?I do have one concern.?  Mention that the salary seems low compared to peers/research/amount of time you've been there/ etc.  They will then ask you what you want.

4.       Give a range: of the amount you really want (say monthly) as your low part of the range to a higher dollar figure?so that the worst case scenario is you get what you originally needed.  Reiterate that you know salary isn?t everything?but that it is something and that you hope they have some ability to be flexible.  Be sincere, straightforward, and collaborative. 

 

5.       Understand that they may need to check with their superiors/HR/etc. so you may not get an answer ASAP.  Let them know you appreciate their extra efforts and find out when you will hear back or when you should follow up. 

 

6.       If there?s no movement on salary, ask to have your performance review moved up to mid year in order to possibly increase salary then.

 

***You can usually find salary grades/classifications for job on company?s website.  This might be worth looking into so you can see where you fall on the spectrum.

Hopefully that helps!