Ask Your Boss for a Raise: Tips on How to Prepare Before You Ask

Asking for a pay raise can be tough. By asking for more money you are opening yourself up to the chance of being let down. Self-worth and wages tend to be tied tightly together. If you think you are doing a great job at work but you are told you cannot have a raise it may be a crushing blow to your ego. However, it doesn't have to end up that way. By doing some homework about your company and position and giving your boss a head's up about your desire to talk about more money you may well be on your way to earning the raise you deserve.

Before Asking for a Raise

First you need to find out how your place of employment doles out raises. Some companies give out annual raises of the same percentage to all employees. If your company does this the chance of getting an additional raise may be low, but not completely out of the question. If your company also considers performance as part of the raise process you may still have a chance to receive additional money.

If you work for a large, national company or have a state or government job you may only receive raises annually despite performance. If that is the case your only chance of making more money is to find ways for promotion. Instead of talking to your boss about raises you may want to talk about opportunities for promotion.

Other companies decide raises based on national averages for the position or by performance, or both. Once you understand how your company figures raises you can proceed with the best method for asking for a raise.

Research

Research the local and national average pay for your particular job based on responsibility and time employed. Having a guideline on where pay levels are will show your boss that you understand what your position is worth and you aren't just randomly asking for money.

Compare your job responsibilities to other positions similar to yours. For example, if you have been in your position for two years but have taken on additional responsibilities then maybe your job is now a combination of two. By pointing out to your boss that you have gladly taken on more responsibility, thus saving the company the need to hire an additional employee, you are letting him know that you are worth a higher wage. The more facts you have about your position as compared to similar positions in your company and in other companies, the better prepared you will be when discussing your raise with your boss.

The Meeting

Ask your boss if you can set up a meeting to discuss a potential raise in wage. This tactic works better than just asking him out-of-the-blue when he hasn't had any time to prepare. If your boss has some time to prepare he may actually think in terms of what type of raise he should offer you instead of whether or not he will offer one at all.

When you do meet with your boss explain that you would like to talk about an increase in your wage. Share your research on average wages and remind your boss of how much time you have spent in your position. If there have been any particular projects or reports that you were involved with remind him of this. You don't need to brag about your accomplishments, just let him know you are proud of the work you've accomplished so far and hope to continue growing with the company.

If your boss offers you a raise then you have accomplished your goal. If you are not offered a raise, don't despair. It may have more to do with how the company is faring in the current economy than it does with your performance. Don't hesitate to ask your boss why you have been turned down this time. If it is because of performance issues then ask what you can do to raise the standard of your work. Employers appreciate having the chance to help their employees grow in their positions. Showing you are willing to learn how to better your production in your job will also show your boss you are serious about your work and that will help you the next time you ask for a raise.

Asking for a raise can be difficult but it is an excellent opportunity to talk to your boss about your performance and your future expectations with the company. Employers appreciate dedicated employees and whether or not you get the raise you will have strengthened your working relationship with your boss. This, in itself, is worth taking the chance and asking for that raise.