Lara Meade

I wanted to take the time to write a real-life how-to guide on asking for a raise. I think most of us dread this conversation. I’m not a fan of negotiating, mainly because I’m a horrible at it. I’m naïve and take people at their word-even that nice Nigerian prince who emails me from time-to-time.

I read blogs that give these esoteric, intellectual answers on the best way of negotiating a raise with your employer. I think many of them are either career coaches or bloggers who don’t do the typical 9-5. When it came time for me to ask for a raise I got some of my friends together and asked their advice on this topic. I needed something really simple, since I trip over my on two feet. I’ve even stabbed myself with a butter knife...no joke.

Sew the seeds 2-3 months before the conversation. 2-3 months before your meeting keep activity logs of your day-to-day activities and key achievements. This will come in handy when preparing talking points for your conversation.

Your boss’s perception of you is reality.  You have to manage your image at work like your Facebook profile, and delete things that don’t show you in a good light. For example if you hear your boss or co-worker comment on a “long” lunch you took, and you were gone 60 minutes or less, correct them then and there. Don’t let that comment hang there. Whenever you are meeting with your boss about an upcoming project always end the conversation with “I’m happy to help any way I can.” If you are wincing inside, you can always delegate or get help later.

Schedule some time with your boss. Don’t spring the conversation on him or her. No one likes to be ambushed.

Prep your talking points. Just the idea of negotiating money with my boss gets me flustered and nauseated, so I find this step super helpful. Write out your day-to-day activities, but focus on your key achievements and how you above and beyond the call of duty.

Know your worth. Visit Salary.com or Payscale.com to see how the job you’re doing is paying in your area. A couple of my friends will go on a couple of interviews just to see what’s out there and how much the competition is paying.

“The Meeting”

• Start the conversation off with your talking points. This is where you demonstrate your commitment to your company and job.
• Then discuss some additional responsibilities you’ve taken on since you started the job (we all have them). At this point say that you are really excited about the new projects and future contributions.
• Then segue into your “salary goals.” Try to avoid phrases like, “I want/need [insert dollar amount].” Make the conversation about your goals and working together to meet those goals, not about your wants and needs. One of my friends loves the phrase “I want to see how we can work together to achieve my career and salary goals.” In the end, let your boss make the first offer.
• If you don’t like the first offer, accept but with the caveat that you’d like to revisit the conversation in 6 months or a year. Try something similar to the following statement, “I’d really like to continue this discussion at the end of the year, after I’ve had an opportunity to accomplish more in my position.”