The economy is getting better, and organizations are beginning to lighten up a bit. Is this a good time to ask for a raise? When and how should you make your request?
Monday’s Tip: Do Your Homework. The more data and information you have that supports your case for a pay raise, the more likely your success. Look at both internal data, and industry data where it might exist.
Tuesday’s Tip: Clearly link the value you contribute to the organization. Nobody cares how hard you work. They care what you get done. What have you done for the organization, and how has that helped them advance their goals.
Wednesday’s Tip: Never sewer others. If you insist on pointing at others’ ineptitude as the main reason you want a raise, you will not be successful, and end up looking spiteful and stupid.
Thursday’s Tip: Don’t make threats. If you threaten to quit if you don’t get a raise, you may very well end up getting fired. No one is indispensible, and you stand a much better chance of success if you lay off the threats.
Friday’s Tip: Anticipate counter arguments. There are lots of reasons not to give you a raise. If you brainstorm some of those in advance, and then build responses to those arguments, you are much more likely to succeed.