You work hard. You get projects done on schedule, without forsaking quality. So, shouldn’t you be rewarded? In today’s economy, it isn’t viable to quickly get a new job if salary expectations are not being met, yet both companies and employees can be strapped for cash, making it difficult to give pay raises… and intimidating to ask for one. Yet, if it’s time to be rewarded for your efforts, you need to speak up for yourself while also keeping in mind the following tips.

Before meeting with your supervisor, preparation is key:

• Keep track of your accomplishments.

What extra responsibilities have you taken in the past year? How have you gone beyond your specified duties? A bulleted list of accomplishments can be easily referenced during the meeting. Make two copies of this list, so that one copy can be left with the boss.

• Do your homework.

Do your co-workers–with similar responsibilities–make the same salary, or more? What do similar companies pay people in your position? While broaching this subject with co-workers is a delicate issue, Internet research can be very useful, such as salary ranges. Try Websites like www.salary.com

• Set up a meeting time with your supervisor.

Don’t pop into his office and expect your boss to have time for you. Set up a meeting, saying that you have something important you’d like to discuss. This shows both professionalism and courtesy.

In the meeting:

• Show him how important you are to the company. Explain why you’ve asked to meet with him as well as why you feel you have earned a pay raise (make sure to refer to your list of accomplishments!).
• Ask your boss for a firm date in which he will provide a decision. If he is unwilling to set a firm deadline, plan on reminding him no more than a week after your meeting as well as asking what the status is regarding your raise.

After the meeting is over and you have made your case, don’t stress, but don’t forget that the conversation of your pay raise isn’t over.

• Send a thank-you email. Include a gentle reminder about the agreed upon decision date.
• Don’t expect an answer right away. Especially in larger companies, your boss most likely reports to someone else who has the final say in whether you get the raise.
• But when the deadline approaches, definitely ask what the status is of your pay raise.

What if weeks, or even months, pass, and he still refuses to give you a firm decision? (Or if he hasn’t even done anything about your request?)

• Above all, remain calm. You neither want to say nor do anything that you’ll regret or cost you your job.
• Consider going to their supervisor, or the person who makes the final decision about your raise. Tell him about your meeting with your boss and your goals within the company. Ask about when you can expect to grow both professionally and financially.

The pay-raise conversation may be difficult to start, but it’ll pay off the end!

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