5 Tips to Help You Ask For a Raise

By Josh Sanburn


Many of us become visibly nervous before engaging in career negotiations, especially if we’re asking for a raise. So how can we make sure we don’t psych ourselves out before asking our boss for more money?
According to a new survey by the social networking site LinkedIn, 39% of U.S. professionals get actively anxious before dealing with issues like a pay raise. That’s the highest percentage of any country surveyed, which may not be surprising considering the massive layoffs that happened during the Great Recession.

A quarter of us have never even been through a bargaining situation at work, according to the survey. So how do we put ourselves in the best possible position to get the most money out of our jobs? Stacey Carroll, director of professional services at Payscale.com, offers some advice.

1. It’s not personal
It’s easy to get emotionally wrapped up in how you feel you’re being valued at work. But remember, for your boss, salaries are more of an organizational and business decision than a personal one.
“If you can kind of step back from the emotional part of it, that’ll help you negotiate with a level head,” says Carroll.

2. Know your position’s salary range
Before you step into your boss’s office, make sure you know what employees make who have your level of experience and are in a similar position. Some professionals tend to ask their own friends and colleagues, but that’s not always the most reliable indicator. Instead, check your own human resources department, which often has salary ranges on file. You can also check sites like payscale.com, which crowd-sources salaries.

3. Schedule a meeting toward the end of the week Read more on this tip and the complete Time article http://moneyland.time.com/2012/04/05/5-tips-to-help-you-ask-for-a-raise/#ixzz1rOGJyWfI