Is it possible to get more green without giving up or wrecking your relationship with an employer you love? Maybe, say the workplace experts we spoke to. Here are some things you might try:
*Go on the offensive
“Don’t wait for your performance review to talk with your boss about money; instead, plan a diplomatic pre-emptive strike,” says Lynn Taylor, a workplace expert and author of “Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant.” Invite your supervisor to a conversation to discuss your projects, and present him with a verbal, quantified list of your job responsibilities and how you have helped your company make money or cut expenses. “Position yourself as a product with a high return on investment before you work money into the conversation,” Taylor says.
*Find out your worth
Check out
GetRaised.com, a free site, to see what you should be making. It first gathers some basic information from you (your salary and things that would be on your resume) and then generates a letter that covers three main points: your market value, based on what other companies in the area are paying for similar roles; the increased responsibilities you’ve taken on since your last raise; and your plans for continued growth and contributions to the firm. It then directs you to add the percentage raise that you are requesting into the letter, which you print, put into an envelope and hand to your boss. The site’s co-founder, Matt Wallaert, says that the average raise earned by users who complete the process on the site is $6,726.
*Don’t take “no” for an answer
“A boss’ first answer when you ask for a raise will almost always be ‘No,’” says Zahir Ladhani, president of Salary.com. “All that means is that you have to ask again.” He recommends using a script, “Here’s how I help you … Here’s how you can help me … Let’s do it together.”
If you still get a “no” and your boss insists that his or her hands are tied, Ladhani suggests asking for bigger responsibilities so that you can get a promotion — and hopefully, eventually, more money.
If that’s not available, ask your boss to introduce you to another manager who might be in a position to help you meet your goals. Contrary to what some may believe, bosses do want to help their subordinates and companies would much rather keep their good workers than lose them. In any economy, hiring is expensive.
*Get another offer, and invite them to match it
If you’re serious about leaving, get another offer (one you’d be willing to accept) and invite your employer to match it, says Cornell University professor Kevin Hallock. “It’s a risky proposition,” he adds, but “sometimes it works.”