“Money, so they say
Is the root of all evil today
But if you ask for a rise it’s no surprise
That they’re giving none away”
Money Pink Floyd

Asking for a raise is never easy. But the fact is that you can get them to give that money away, if you approach the situation professionally and with facts and figures in hand.

First, assess your position honestly. If you have issues that might hamper your being granted a raise, work on improving them first. What might be key objections? Attendance? Some area of your job in which you don’t meet expectations? Do you lack certain skills? Work on improving any areas that you can identify as possible problems and then be prepared to show your boss proof of the improvement in your job performance.

Next, check the market. Find out what others in similar positions with similar education and skills are being paid. Look at your skills and their value to the company. Keep a list of your accomplishments over the past year. Show the boss areas in which you have excelled, and those in which others rely on your skills.

Decide what you want and what you are willing to accept before you go in. Be prepared to negotiate, and consider other benefits besides money. In some cases, a boss may not be able to offer you a raise but may be able to reward your hard work with some perks that are just as appealing.

Don’t threaten. Ultimatums can backfire. Don’t bring emotions into the discussion. Your approach should be businesslike. You are marketing your skills. Discuss any extra classes you are taking, any new tasks you have taken on at work and occasions when you have been singled out for praise on a project or a job well done.

Some tools to help you prepare:

Salary dot com

Economic Research Institute