Now that 2014 is well in the past, you may begin to look towards the future. From a career perspective, this could mean asking for a raise in the new year.
While there is nothing wrong with discussing this with your supervisor, there are things you should and should not do along the way.
Here are three things you should never say when asking for a raise:
1. I can’t remember the last time I received a raise. This is a bad way to start out the conversation, as it puts the other party on the defensive. Rather than saying this, focus your discussion around what you have done for the company in the past and how you plan on doing the same (or more) in the future.
Note: you don’t have to remind the other party of when you last received a raise. It is likely they know your salary history.
2. I am doing more work than everybody else. This is an unfair statement on many levels, even if you believe it to be 100 percent true.
You should never drag other employees into the conversation. If you are putting in extra time and taking on additional responsibilities, it goes without saying that your supervisor will recognize this.
There is nothing wrong with highlighting your accomplishments and showing why you are such a valuable employee. Just make sure you leave others out of it.
3. I want “x amount” of money. You probably have an idea of how much of a raise you want to receive. At the same time, your employer probably has an idea of what they are willing to give you, if anything.
If you are going to ask for a particular amount of money, make sure you are reasonable. Before you settle on a number, do your research to find what others in your position are being paid.
Asking for a raise can lead to an awkward conversation. If you remain courteous and calm, while avoiding the statements above, you can relieve some of the stress and better your chance of hearing that one special word: yes.
