5 Helpful Tips When It’s Time To Ask For a Raise

Did you know only 1 in 4 American women asked for a raise in the last 12 months?

Did you know that of the women who DID ask, 75% got one??  Ladies:  it is time to stop being under-paid and under-valued!  You know what your skill level is and what you are worth -- it's time to ask for it.

If it is time for you to ask for a raise, here are some things that might help:

1. Give your boss specific examples of how you have raised the bar at your current salary.
2. Don't Get Personal!  Bosses resent it when you try to pull at the heartstrings to get a raise.  Don't talk about your family, don't talk about your hardship -- talk about the company and how you can continue to help it grow.
3. Don't Settle!  One of the biggest perception fouls in the business world is giving you a new title and new responsibility in lieu of more money.  Confession:  I've done this myelf, so I know of what I write!  If your boss says, "I can give you more responsibility and I can work you harder, but there is no more money." think carefully about how you reply.  If you are satisfied with the change on your business card, that's great.  However, never be afraid to follow up with, "If I take on this new challenge, I would like to come back in three months to evaluate my progress and re-open the discussion of more money."
4. Tell your boss where you want to be -- and what you are currently doing to get there.  A good boss will try and help you to the top.
5. Keep Your Mouth SHUT!  Don't complain to everyone about your situation -- don't complain to ANYONE about your situation unless they can make it better.
   It will get back to your boss and then your perceived value will plummet.  Also, don't compare money from desk to desk.  I heard an employee several months ago say, "I've been here two years and I've only gotten cost of living raises."  The person next to him said, "I've been here ten years -- and if you got a cost of living increase, you're lucky.  I'd stop complaining if I were you."

If you've done all this -- and it didn't work, don't worry.  Your boss might now see you as a leader and a person who wants to do the best possible job for the company.  You went in with a plan to help the business -- not just an open palm.