Tips for Asking for a Raise Washington DC

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1. Know When to Ask
So you've decided to inquire about a raise. The good news is that you've finally mustered the courage to ask your boss for more money; the bad news is that you have lousy timing. "I've had situations where I was pressed on a deadline and totally absorbed in something when a request for money has come in, and I just didn't have the time to listen to it," says David Smith, executive director of Teleos Leadership Institute, a consulting company in Philadelphia that does executive coaching. If you're sure you'll have the boss's attention, strike after you've made a particularly impressive contribution—such as orchestrating a crucial event—so you can build that into your argument.

2. Negotiate, Don't Demand
Be self-confident, Smith says, but "don't push over the edge to where people view you as overbearing." Don't ask for a certain dollar amount—a common mistake that can bring the discussion to an abrupt end if your boss can't afford what you're requesting. Instead, open by saying, "I want to talk about my compensation and whether an adjustment may be in order," advises Sheila Heen, a lecturer in Harvard Law School's Executive Education Series and author of Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most (Penguin 1999). Bringing industry salary data sends a message that you simply want the fair market value of what you're worth, she says. (Don't rely on a single salary survey, which might not be reflective of your geographic location, years of experience, or qualifications. Local industry association chapters and contacts from your personal network can help determine an appropriate salary range.)

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