There’s a right way to ask for a pay raise
Pete walked into his boss’s office. “Ms. Smith, I’ll be straight with you. I know the economy isn’t great, but I have three companies after me, and I would like to respectfully ask for a raise.”
After a few minutes of haggling, Ms. Smith finally agreed to a 5 percent boost. When Pete got up to leave, she asked him, “By the way, which three companies are after you?”
“The electric company, the mortgage company and the phone company.”
We all have bills to pay. Our jobs are a good way to accomplish that. But if you feel like you aren’t receiving what you deserve, you have to muster up your courage and ask for a raise. That is a conversation you need to have with your supervisor, not your co-workers. They don’t make those decisions, and you will get a reputation for being
the complainer.
Instead, prove you can perform the duties of your position and work your tail off making sure you’re the best hire your boss ever made. Then it’s time to ask for a raise. Here are some tips that will give you at least a fighting chance:
■ Pick your time carefully. When you asked your mom or dad for the car keys, did you hit them up when they walked in the door or wait until after they had dinner and were in a good mood?
■ Be prepared. Almost everyone has an annual salary and/ or performance review. But it’s amazing how few people prepare for it. Get your act together and present your case in an intelligent, well-organized manner.
■ Keep records. Keep a log of your accomplishments. Make notes in your daily calendar. That way, you won’t forget anything, and you’ll have the most reliable form of proof there is: written evidence.
■ Know the territory. One of the typical defenses against wage demands is, “You certainly deserve it, but we had a difficult year.” Is this true? If you work for a public company, check out the annual report. What are people at other companies getting paid for your job?
■ Ask for a specific number. This is the hardest one of all, because people are uncomfortable selling themselves. Put a number on the table, and make it realistic. Document overtime or special circumstances as evidence.
■ Don’t threaten. Don’t bluff. Don’t be afraid to ask.
Robert Herjavec from ABC’S “Shark Tank” said: “You should never come out and say I deserve more money. Nobody cares what you deserve. It’s about what you can do for the company. It’s never I, I, I ... it’s always what value you can add. Don’t use the word I.”
Mackay’s Moral: If you want them to show you the money, you better show them the reason.
www.harveymackay.com; Mackaymitchell Envelope Co., 2100 Elm St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414.