5 Tips When Asking for a Raise

You've earned it, that much is clear, and yet you find yourself impatiently waiting on your manager or supervisor to approach you about a raise.

It's time to take the initiative and manage your career by engaging your boss in this discussion. Though it can be intimidating to bring up money with your manager here are five tips to help the process.

1. Understand your value. Do some research so you know where you fit in with the current salary range in your field, and also within your company. This will give you an indication of what you can expect from a raise.

2. Document your accomplishments. Be sure you have clear documentation for the work you've accomplished, along with your specific successes. If there is a way to tie it to the financial success of your company that can help your chances for a raise.

3. Be specific. Determine exactly what it is you are looking for and know what your target number will be when you ask for a raise.

4. Practice will make confident. Take some time to practice what you will say to your manager and how you will state your case for a raise. The more comfortable you are with your presentation the more confident you will appear when asking for your raise, and your manager will appreciate and respect your confidence.

5. Schedule a meeting. This is obvious but until you actually schedule a meeting with your manager to ask for a raise all your preparation is useless. In fact, go ahead and schedule that meeting with your manager today. Give yourself a week to prepare steps 1-4 and go into the meeting with confidence that you're prepared to state your case well.