Negotiate The Pay Raise That You Deserve

The “Don’t of asking for a raise”

Never ask for a pay rise due to external factors.

While your boss is a nice person, they don’t pay you because the interest rates have gone up, you have a holiday to pay for, or your children are going to college. They pay you because of the value that you have to offer. Only ask for a pay raise based on performance and the value you offer.

Never give an ultimatum.
People never respond well to an ultimatum. Your job is a reciprocal relationship – your boss needs you just as much as you need them. Always look for a win-win based situation when negotiating a pay rise.

Be too busy talking to listen.
Listen to the reasons your boss is saying no. It will help you understand what you need to know to get to yes in salary negotiation.

Don’t talk too much.
If you are talking around the issue without being clear, the message that your boss receives is that you are nervous and not confident that you deserve your pay raise. Clear, succinct and straightforward statements are very powerful.

Don’t be scared of silence.
Silence is a powerful negotiation tool. When we are awkward to nervous we can talk too much rather. Once you have made a statement or a request, then you will need close your mouth and wait quietly for the response. There might be an awkward moment or silence. That’s fine. It’s all part of negotiation and the longer that you can comfortably wait in silence, the more likely you are to receive what you are asking for.

Don’t lose your cool.
Aggressive or belligerent body language or tonality will turn it into a confrontation, where your boss has to “win” by not agreeing with you. It’s crucial that you are the right level of agreeable while being reasonable and confident in pay negotiation.

Don’t wait for the right time.
If you keep waiting for the right time then it will never come. Now is the right time. There will always be reasons to hold off on asking for a pay rise. What’s far more important are all of the reasons why you should ask for a pay rise raise right now.

Never negotiate with someone who can only say no to you.
Sometimes it’s not our boss that has the final say. They will only say no to you, because it is not within their power to say yes. Ensure that you determine the right person that you need to speak with to negotiate your pay raise.

Thanks and good luck!

Sean Thomas
www.payrise-payraise.com

There comes a time for all of us when we have been within our job for a year or more and we know it is time to ask for a pay raise. Our individual situations might vary – some organizations have a regular review meeting to discuss pay increases, while at others the mere mention of discussing salary will see your boss running for the hills.

One thing is certain though - asking for a higher wage is a nerve wracking process that often leaves us disappointed and wondering if we could have done better.

But it doesn’t have to be this way if you do the necessary preparation beforehand.

Why do I deserve a pay raise?
It’s a simple truth that your boss hires you for a reason, either because you make your business money, save your business money, or save your business time.  Spend some time making a list of all the ways that you do these things, and the unique skills you have that others might not. Wherever possible try to put a dollar amount on the amount on the value you are contributing.

How much should I ask for?
Be creative with your request! Don’t just focus on your base wage as there are a lot of additional bonuses you might find a lot easier to negotiate, particularly when your business is being cost conscious. Promotions and increased responsibility, additional paid annual leave, reduced working hours, the opportunity to work from home, professional education expenses, a mobile phone or laptop, stock options and even more can all be negotiated as part of a pay raise.

Getting to yes
You won’t always get what you ask for the first time around, but that doesn’t mean that negotiation is over. It just means that you need to ask the question “I understand you might not be able to say yes right now.  What needs to happen over the next 6 months so we are both happy with me getting the raise I am after?”

And remember last of all that the noisy bird gets fed! The best time to ask for a pay raise is right now and provided it’s done politely and professionally your boss will respect your courage and ambition.

www.payrise-payraise.com