| Do you like your job? Yes. | | | | to, you have room to negotiate - and still get your |
| Do you know how much you're worth to your | | | | "absolute minimum." |
| company? Yes. | | | | 4. Schedule a meeting. I know, I know... most bosses |
| Are you currently earning that much? No... | | | | have an "open door" policy with their employees. But, |
| Do you know how to go about asking your boss for | | | | for something like this, you really need to have the |
| a raise? Uhh.... no | | | | professionalism of a scheduled appointment. That |
| Isn't it amazing that the most forward person out | | | | way, your boss can plan for it and make sure that |
| there also has difficulty asking for what they | | | | there will be little *if any* interruptions during your |
| perceive they deserve? It's not like your boss can | | | | meeting. |
| fire you for asking. The worst that could happen is | | | | 5. Be prepared for a "worst case" scenario. Your |
| they say "no, not right now." And, if you do your | | | | boss may say "no" or "it's not in the budget right |
| homework beforehand, you can even find a way to | | | | now." Ask your boss if there is anything you can do, |
| turn that "no" into a "yes". | | | | additionally, that would make a raise happen faster. |
| Here are a few tips that should help you with asking | | | | Ask for their opinion on your work, or if there is |
| for that bonus or raise: | | | | anything that you need to do to improve your |
| 1. Review your accomplishments. Make a list of | | | | performance in their eyes. If they give you any |
| everything positive you have done since your last | | | | suggestions, make notes and implement them into |
| review. Have you saved your company any money | | | | your daily schedule. That shows that you are open to |
| by suggesting/implementing improvements? Have you | | | | criticism and willing to make improvements. Trust me... |
| earned any awards that make you more valuable? | | | | things like that really stick out with bosses. They are |
| Add all this to your list. | | | | more likely to give raises and/or promotions to the |
| 2. What is the "going rate" for your job? Go online | | | | people who ask "what can I do better that would |
| and do a salary comparison search. Find out what | | | | warrant a raise or promotion?" |
| other people with similar backgrounds and job titles | | | | 6. If the outcome is the "worst case" scenario, what |
| are earning in your neck of the woods. Also, be fair - | | | | are you going to do? Are you going to continue |
| people in NYC or LA are going to earn more than | | | | working, or start looking elsewhere? If this becomes |
| people in Boise. I'm not trying to be elitist - I'm just | | | | a catalyst to change your situation, make sure that, |
| stating a fact that certain areas of the country pay | | | | even though you will be looking for a new position, it |
| more than others. | | | | does not affect your current job. (But this is a topic I |
| 3. Come up with a desirable range, and make sure to | | | | will cover in another posting." |
| leave some "wiggle" room. If you want a 5% | | | | Good luck! |
| increase, ask for 7% or 8%. That way, if you have | | | | |