Audiences
Let’s face it. Asking for a raise can be a hassle. No likes to do it and rarely do we feel empowered to raise the issue. But there are situations when it makes perfect sense to pipe up and say to your boss, “I’m worth it!”
Before doing so, however, it’s important to build your case so you can be better prepared when the time comes to say these exact words: “I believe I’m worth more to this company than I’m being paid. I’d like to discuss the potential for a raise.” Those words will set the wheels in motion with your boss when presenting your case. Below are the actual wheels – aka the resources – you will need to get you there.
Know what you’re worth. It’s important to come to the meeting equipped with your “market value.” Consult salary surveys (Salary.com is superb for this) and do industry research (for example, Dice.com is a resource for IT salaries) to get a better understanding of your net worth.
Solicit yourself and make the case. Review your skills, responsibilities and accomplishments. Get others involved to create a more unbiased and balanced picture of your skill sets. Lead with your strengths. You certainly won’t want to incorporate areas of weakness into your discussion with your boss, but you should be aware of them in the event that they surface. From there, create a written document that contains all the proof points you need to substantiate just how fabulous a worker bee you are.
Be specific. Whether or not your boss asks you for proof of your greatness, you should have it on hand and use it to build your case for a raise. Collect flattering emails, letters, and other documents to illustrate how others view your work. Show your boss on paper how you’ve saved the company money, increased productivity, or been a positive and proactive contributor to your team. Include data where possible.
Be open to negotiation. While you want a raise, you are also seeking validation and recognition for your high performance. If your company is financially unable to offer a raise at the time you ask, consider lobbying for perks (more vacation days, more flexible comp time, etc) instead.