How to Persuade Your Boss to Give You a Raise

We have all been in this situation: feeling for a long time that our salary is stagnant and convinced that its connection to our contribution to the employer is purely coincidental. Employers, for their part, usually will not initiate a raise if you haven't explicitly asked. In other words, you have no choice but to set up a meeting with your boss and present your arguments. So how do you ask for a raise in a way that makes your boss more likely to agree? We have compiled a list of tips from experts who are well-acquainted with the ways employers think.

1. Know your true market value. Dr. Catherine Brooks, head of career development at Wake Forest University, emphasizes: "Check local surveys and studies to see what the standard salary is for your role. Try to find out how much your colleagues in the organization earn. This way, you can formulate a realistic picture regarding the salary you can receive. Important: Even if you discover that others in the office earn more than you for the same job, do not tell your boss this. Simply state what the standard pay is for the work you do and why you believe you are doing an excellent job and deserve that pay."

2. Start on a positive note, suggests Lynne Taylor, an American workplace expert. Tell your boss how much you enjoy the job, but also mention that you feel your responsibilities and workload have increased, and that you contribute more and more to the organization. Accordingly, you would like to discuss your salary. Under no circumstances threaten to leave or make up an offer from another workplace.

3. Remind your boss of your unique strengths and achievements. Ideally, the boss should already be aware of them: In any workplace, it is worthwhile to develop a special niche where you excel. However, you should remind your boss during the conversation of your clear achievements, those that it is unclear how the workplace would have reached without you. "Your boss will fight for you if your departure will 'get in the way' of the company. If he can hire a similar employee tomorrow, he will let you go gladly," says Ze'ev Arieli, psychologist, organizational consultant, and CEO of the Leadership Center. "You see this in tech organizations, where sometimes an employee has certain knowledge or skills no one else does. Or if it's in sales, if you know that you are doing 20% of the sales at a call center with 20 others - your position is strong."

4. Choose good timing and set a meeting. "Choose the right moment to ask. It's not a good idea to request a raise when you hate your job or when your boss is under immense pressure," advises Brendan King, CEO of King & Bishop. Sheryl Raskin, founder of a media company, adds: "Set a special meeting with your boss to discuss the topic. Do not do it spontaneously or when your boss is distracted by something else."

5. Don't make it personal, warns Diane Arnett, a career development expert. Most employers will respect arguments based on facts and logic: the common market salary, additional responsibilities that have been assigned to you, proven achievements, and so on. Do not under any circumstances introduce personal matters into the salary request. "My husband was recently fired," "We just married off our daughter and have plenty of expenses," or even: "I get depressed every time I receive my paycheck" – these are statements that should stay out of the boss’s office. Everything correct? So what. These statements make you look unprofessional, and the last thing that will convince a boss to raise your salary is the feeling that you are not professional enough.

6. Practice negotiation in advance. Before sitting down with your boss, suggests Connie Thanasoulis-Cerrachio, CEO of a career coaching company, conduct a simulation with a family member or friend skilled in tough negotiation. What will you do if the boss responds this way or that? What additional argument can you present? Are you willing to consider benefits like vacation days or bonuses as a substitute for part of the raise you wanted? How to wait patiently when the boss remains silent and avoid nervous chatter? Like everything else in life – nothing beats prior practice to bring you more prepared and confident to the meeting with your boss.

And of course, before and after all professional advice... don’t forget to pray.