How To Ask For The Raise You Deserve

You've been working at your place of employment for quite some time now. You been arriving at work on time on a normal basis and have been studious about learning new skills. Now is the time to capitalize on the newly acquired knowledge. The time to talk with your boss is approaching. How do you demand what you feel that you are worth? Here are some tips to help you along in your quest for better wages...

• Make The First Move -- Don't wait for someone else to tell you what to do. Upper management admires an individual who takes initiative. Develop your individual talents. Educate yourself with new skills and knowledge. Show them that you are a real "go getter."
• Make Intelligent Decisions -- Teach yourself to make quick, intelligent decisions. Being indecisive will hurt you. Anyone can make good, quick decisions--it is just a matter of training yourself. Intuitive instincts must be developed in order for you to accomplish what you set out to do.
• Embrace More Responsibility -- Take on the tougher assignments. Actively seek more difficult work with added responsibility. Take on all the responsibility you can handle. Try to take the added responsibilities in addition to your assigned work. The greater your responsibilities, the more you are an asset to management.
• Expand Your Interests -- The more you know, the more valuable you are to the company you work for. Go to night classes or read books that will give you that added education. Increase your interest in things that will help your company. Specializing in as many things as you can will help you move up in a company.
• Don't Be Afraid To Take Risks - A calculating risk taker always find a way around an obstacle to get what they want. So can you! Nothing comes easily. Moving up in a company is going to be hard but rewarding. If you expect to move up, you must take chances. It is the little risks in life that give us the most advancement. If you don't stick your neck out, your chances of moving up are slim to none.
• Know The Company And Your Boss -- Find out everything you can about the company you work for. Understand and know your company. Study and learn the jobs of your fellow workers. Understand what they do and why they do it. Always try to increase your knowledge. Find out what type of qualities your boss and upper management are looking for in employees. Try to develop those qualities.
• Be The Best At What You Do -- Management always admires people who are efficient at their jobs. Keep the highest possible level of production and quality everyday. Be so good at your job that you can do it without close supervision. Don't fool around on the job, regardless of what other employees do. Not only this will hurt you, but it will also be the quickest way out of the position you are trying to put yourself in, which is receive a raise.
• Know And Understand Your Immediate Goal -- You should know exactly what position you want. Be the person they want if you want that position. Make sure you can do all that is required.
• Give Your All To The Company -- You should have a strong sense of loyalty and devotion toward your company. Show the company that you care about its wellbeing. Don't disagree with company policies. This show signs that you are a troublemaker! Even if you disagree with them, obey them. The best that you can do is to agree with the policies and tell management diplomatically how you feel about them.
• Be On Time - This has got to be one of the most important things you can do to ensure a raise. Being reliable is very important. A company wants to fell secure with your contribution to the company. Don't be late or absent from work without a very good reason. If you must, make sure to bring a copy of the ORIGINAL excuse. Also make copies just in case the original gets misplaced.
• Make Sure Your Accomplishments Are Noticed -- There is nothing wrong with letting others know what you have accomplished, just as long as you don't brag about it. If the opportunity arises for recognition, then it's best that you run with it. Make sure others know what you have done. A good suggestion is to jot down your accomplishments in a dairy. When you ask for raise, refer to your dairy. Keep all your recommendations and awards in a file.
• Be Able To Solve Complex Problems -- Look for problems in your company that you can help solve. Devise a practical and intelligent solution to these problems. Bring the problem to the attention of your boss only after you have solved it and have all the details of the solution. This shows that you have the capabilities to handle the most difficult tasks.
• Know The Company Policies -- Understanding your company's policy on salaries and raises will help out whenever you receive a question that must be met with correct procedures. You may have to be with the company for a specific length of time to get a raise. Find out how long the average person needs and act at the right time. If you are receiving the maximum salary for your position, ask for a promotion or a reclassification of your title.
• Be Able To Justify The Raise -- Tell them about your accomplishments that helped the company move ahead. Show how much you assisted the company through your actions. Get to know what your skills are worth for another company in the same area that you work in. Present your company with that information and present it to them in a very non-aggressive manner. Tell the company what you will be able to do for them in the future and how you will benefit the company with your new raise. Remind them how your value has increased since you have been with the company. However, don't mention anything about your personal needs for the money.
• Be Able To Handle Objections -- If you are rejected when you ask for a raise, it's important that you're able to cope with the decision. Visualize how you would overcome the rejection before you ask your boss for a raise so you'll know how to handle the situation. Remember, expect the best yet prepare for the worst.
• Understand How To Deal With The Decision - Request for an immediate answer from your boss if he has the power to give you the raise. If he can't give the answer immediately, ask him when to expect an answer. If he tells you he can't give you a raise, ask him why. Ask him what he would require from you before you receive a raise, his suggestions, what needs improvement, etc. Follow the instructions to what he tells you to do for a raise and, when you have satisfied his needs, ask him again. If you plan to quit if you don't get a raise, now isn't the time to threaten your boss. You will need your boss's good reference later if and when you do decide to leave.

Asking for a raise doesn't have to be the worst thing to look forward to. If you aren't happy with the bottom line of your income, then by all means ask. The worst thing that you may possibly hear is no, but at least you'll have an answer. You never know, you just might get that raise after all.