HOUSTON – If you cringe at the thought of talking with your boss about getting a raise, you probably aren't making all the money you could.
Not everyone knows how to get a raise, but there are a few things you can do to help sway your boss' decision of whether to increase your salary.
First, timing is everything. Mini.com suggests approaching your employer early in the week. By Thursday or Friday, everyone has the weekend on their mind, and there may not be enough time to get the paperwork done if your request for a raise is approved. And aim to set a meeting before lunchtime, when your boss has fewer things on his or her mind.
Second, it's a smart idea to find out when, exactly, your company sets their budget for the following year. Plan to ask for a raise one or two months before that date so your boss doesn't pledge the company's money to other places.
Once you plan the meeting, be sure to focus strictly on your raise. Make sure that your boss knows that's what the meeting is about, so you don't catch them off guard.
When you ask for a raise, don't make it about your personal need for more money.
Finally, be prepared to brag about yourself and explain exactly why you should get a raise. You can even bring a 'brag book' with you. Fill it with emails from happy clients and reports about your work, and then leave it on their desk for your boss as a reminder that you do, in fact, deserve a raise.