Asking for a raise......

[dustysky]

Well it is something I have never done and I am scared to death, however I HAVE to ask for one.
I need help in a big way.
I have a couple issues that I am not sure how to handle:

#1- I do not work in the same office as my boss so I hardley ever see her face to face, I am not sure how to go about asking. It just does not seem like a conversation to have on the phone. Should I ask for a meeting with her?

#2- Do I ask for the acctual $$ amount I want or do I just say "a raise?"

So fellow employees and also employers, can you give me any tips or advice??

 

[Mono~rail]

No advice, but I want to say ~ Good luck!

 

[kdibattista]

Definitely a face to face meeting. I would have a dollar amount in mind (I would actually go a little higher in hopes that they will come close to what you want). Be prepared with why you deserve it and I would get comparables to what other people in your position are making locally/nationally/etc.

Good Luck

 

[The Mayor]

Well it is something I have never done and I am scared to death, however I HAVE to ask for one.
I need help in a big way.
I have a couple issues that I am not sure how to handle:

#1- I do not work in the same office as my boss so I hardley ever see her face to face, I am not sure how to go about asking. It just does not seem like a conversation to have on the phone. Should I ask for a meeting with her?

#2- Do I ask for the acctual $$ amount I want or do I just say "a raise?"

So fellow employees and also employers, can you give me any tips or advice??

Do you get an annual raise and this raise you want is an additional raise?

If not, then I would phone or email your boss and ask for a meeting. Maybe, over lunch. Have a specific amount in mind that you are going to ask for and back that up with ammunition about why you deserve it. Don't just say you need a raise because you need the money. Back it up with facts, loyal employee, dependable and state specific parts of your job that you do well and other things you do above and beyond your job.

Just be prepared before you meet and be confident when you talk to your boss.


Good Luck

 

[Strawberry Lemonade]

I just went through the same thing. I have two bosses that are rarely in the office at the same time so I left them each a copy of the same letter. I got my raise but one of them took me aside privately and told me that specifying an amount (which I did...I never had to ask for a raise before, either) wasn't the best way to go. Instead, ask for a time to meet to discuss a salary increase.

Good luck!

eta: I just read the post above mine and I agree. You have to be able to tell your boss why you deserve a raise.

 

[slk537]

Ask her for a meeting - tell her you'd like to talk about your performance. Come prepared with a file folder detailing everything you do, particularly above and beyond things. Do you get yearly performance reviews? Do you have goals? If so, detail how you have achieved your goals and then some. Make sure you point to new things you have learned and taken responsibility for. Have you learned any new computer programs? Have you added any personnel reporting to you? Have you been given any addtional responsibilities?

How is your company doing? It may help to wait until after the end of the year to ask. First quarter is fresh and companies aren't trying to end the year goals.

GOOD LUCK!!! Be prepared with facts. And remember: Never be afraid of the answer "no". (The best thing my dad ever taught me!)

 

[tiggerlover]

I did this earlier this year and had a successful outcome. First of all I would request a face to face meeting, as difficult as it can be, it is the best way to go. Do your research, find out what others in your area are making doing comparable work (I printed off information from www.salary.com). Formulate a plan describing how your job benefits the company, outline what your duties are (sometimes the boss doesn't realize all you do) and support that with examples and your accomplishments. And instead of asking for a specific dollar amount I would give a range. Good luck, you will have to let us know how it goes for you.

 

[DisneyfeverTN]

Be confident in yourself and your work. Everyone who has been brave enough to ask for a raise at our company has received one. The last person that asked for a raise only asked for an increase of 50 cents per hour. She received it. What she didn't know is that if she had asked for a dollar an hour raise, she would have received that. The other posters have given some excellent advice. Everything is negotiable. Good luck.

 

[dustysky]

This is going to be harder than I thought, I am not good at saying how "great" I am. I did look at the salary.com site, thank you for that.