Time for a Raise!

Not our normal subject material, but we know that all of you are working hard, living abundantly and deserve to make more money! So, here are some tips on how to ask and get that raise you deserve.

1. Have your ducks in order. Of course, you can't march into a meeting with your boss armed simply with your opinions. You need to back it up. That means analyzing and cataloguing what you've accomplished in the past year, writing it down and then preparing for that all-important meeting. It's also a good idea to bone up on industry standards. One good source is salary.com's salary wizard.

This is so very important! You know you deserve that raise, your boss probably does as well; but unless you have the information needed to justify it, forget it! You need to be able to show just how much you are needed and what a wonderful job you are doing. When you do this, it makes it easier for your superior to justify giving it to you!

2. Know the business climate. It's also important to know the current economic environment -- not only in the national economy but also in the company. "If business is booming, then seeking your fair share of the wealth is understandable," says Mimi Greenberg, president of MRG Associates, an executive search firm in New York City. "But if you're employed by a start-up or a larger company actively looking to slash costs, it may not be a very good time to ask for a bump in your paycheck."

If your company just lost money or broke even, it might not be the best time to ask for that raise, even if you deserve it. Keep your eyes open for the right opportunity to ask, then pounce!

3. Rehearse. Know what you want to say to the boss and practice saying it out loud. Remember, you are selling yourself.

We thought about moving this to number 1. 99% of people asking for a raise seem to be doing it off the cuff by the presentations they give. Work on it! Spend time getting it ready! This should be the best, smoothest presentation you've given all year. You've wowed them all year with the work that you've done, now wow them with your raise presentation!

4. Prepare for the worst. According to CareerBuilder.com, one of the largest online job-search Web sites, less than 1% of people who ask for a raise get it right away.

If your boss won't give you a raise, ask for other things such as more vacation time, a laptop computer or other equipment. If you are turned down, express disappointment, shake hands and calmly walk away. The composed manner in which you take the rejection may give your boss the impression that you have something else lined up -- even if you don't.

Many times superiors won't give a raise immediately just to see what your reaction is. They can find out just how loyal you are and just how well you are able to handle adversity. You've done well up until now, don't blow it! Be calm, be cool and who knows, you might get a call back.

5. Be gracious. If the final answer is "yes," express appreciation, but do not go overboard. Work twice as hard to prove your boss made the right decision. "Start right then and there earning that next raise," says Greenwood of Common Sense at Work.

Yes, yes, yes! Very important. Be gracious and then work even harder to show them they made the right choice.

You are all living abundantly so this should come natural. Even if it doesn't, if you follow the steps given above, it will seem to flow naturally from you.

Now get out that and get the money you deserve!