Negotiating Salary: How to Get More Money Now

If there's one thing worse than working in a job you hate, it's working that job year in, year out with no promotion, progress, or raise in sight. That's why negotiating your salary is a must.

Negotiating your salary takes courage.  It isn't easy.  And it shouldn't be taken lightly.  

But in order to get something you want you must first ask for it.  So don't be afraid to take that chance and put yourself out there.

To ensure that you get the money you want, you need to prepare.  And prepare well.  

The fact that you are here, reading this now, means you are already taking the first step.

Here are our top tips for negotiating your salary and getting the money you truly deserve:

These steps may seem easy and straight forward but there's a lot more here than meets the eye.  Let's delve into these a little deeper below.  

Feel free to use the Table of Contents to skip around.

Why You Should Negotiate Your Salary Regularly

Many of us, once we get into the grind of working a 9 to 5, become complacent.  We get our check every two weeks like clockwork.  

And we become used to the amount of money we are making.  So we just keep it moving without a second thought.  

It never occurs to us to even think about asking for a raise even if it has been years since our last one.  We may even be assuming that they will recognize our hard work and give us a raise without us asking. 

And some of us, are so busy living paycheck to paycheck that we are happy to get any money at all.

But by not taking the time to ask for a raise, we could be leaving tons of money on the table.  Take a look at the years that you've been working for your company and the quality of work that you are doing.

Do you not deserve a raise?  

Of course you do!  So why not ask for it?  And ask for it regularly.

Asking for a raise often is good for both you and your company.  This is because it will keep you on your toes.  

You know that if you want to get another raise in the future, you're going to have to keep cranking out excellent work.  Talk about increased productivity.

All your hard work means that you will constantly be growing and evolving to become better and better at what you do.  

Which then makes you more valuable to the company and very much deserving of that raise.

In addition to that, your company benefits as well because now they have a highly motivated employee who is consistently producing great work.

A bit of caution though, you don't want to try and negotiate your salary too often.  Once, maybe twice, a year is good.  That gives you enough time to show improvements and get results.

When Should You Negotiate Your Salary?

Every year.  At your performance review.  

if you are working for a typical company, there is always a yearly review of your performance.  This is the perfect time to come prepared to negotiate your pay raise.

Even if your company typically offers a 1% raise annually, that doesn't you can't negotiate for more.

If by chance your company doesn't do a yearly review, you can always arrange a meeting yourself.  

And, if I were you, I'd schedule it just after you complete a big project or close a huge deal.  

That way, you'll be just coming off a big win and will be in a great position to talk about a pay raise.

If it is your first time bringing up a raise in the meeting, don't worry too much if the answer is no.  

In that case, make concrete plans with your boss about when you will get that raise and what his expectations are for you to get it.

How to Negotiate Your Salary Like a Champ

Negotiating like a champ requires practice, patience, and, most important of all, compassion.  

Yes, compassion.  Because until you can see the view from the other side, you'll never be able to establish the connection required to make your negotiation a success.

Check out some of these other tips for how to bringing your A-game to the negotiation table.

Know Your Goal

There's nothing worse than going in to ask for something and not knowing exactly what it is you want.

Just imagine.  If you were out at a restaurant and the waiter asks you what you wanted, would you say, "I don't know.  Something good to eat" ? Probably not. 

You would know exactly what you wanted to order.  And that steak had better be medium rare, please and thank you.

And so it is when it comes to your salary.  

Have the exact number you want to get in mind.  Write it down even.  Because without it, you are subject to the whims of your boss.  And what he or she has in mind may not be what you were hoping for.

Come Prepared With the Numbers

Now that you've got a number in mind you're going to have to come ready to back it up.  

No business is just going to take your word for it.  They are going to want proof and a reason why they should give you a raise in the first place.

This means, more often than not, you're going to need some facts, statistics, and examples to prove that what you are asking for is reasonable.

So look up the pay of other people in your profession and position.  And be thorough.  Compare the companies they work for, their educational background, and their duties as compared to yours. 

Glassdoor might be a good place to start.  Or salary.com.  Maybe even try reaching out to your network and asking around.

Leave no stone unturned and make sure that this mission is one you see through to the end.

Once you've got the numbers to back you up, make sure you also prepare for why you specifically deserve this raise.  How has your work been lately?  Any big accomplishments?

Make sure that list of reasons also make it into your Pay Raise A-Game Folder.

Prepare a List of All Counter Arguments

Preparation, preparation, preparation.  Nothing beats preparation.  

You can never be too prepared and more often than not when negotiation day comes, you're going to wished you had prepared more.

So be sure to give yourself enough time to prepare.  And what exactly is it that will you be preparing?  The following two things:

1.  Your Arguments for the Raise
2.  Their Arguments Against It 

These should go in your Pay Raise A-Game Folder as well.

Your Arguments for a Raise

This is where you are going to be putting your documentation and info gathering skills to the test.  

You're going to need to put together a list of all of your achievements complete with dates, times, parties involved, etc.

Put some feelers out there and see if there is anyone willing to back you up on your achievements or the quality of your work.  Or anyone willing to sing your praises to your boss on your behalf.  

You can bring their testimonials with you on the big day.  Or have them casually tell your boss a week or two before your meeting to ensure he is nice in buttered up before you go in.

Their Arguments Against It

You can never be fully prepared for a showdown unless you have anticipated what kind of push back you are likely to receive.

So for every one of the reason you listed for your raise, you need to find at least one argument that would be raised against it as well as against a raise in general.

If there is a part of your job that you've been less than stellar at, be prepared with the actions steps you're going to take to bring it up to where it needs to be.

Be careful here with blaming others for your failure.  Always take responsibility for the actions you take.  No boss likes to hear excuses.  Even legit ones.

Also you'll want to think arguments that may arise, not just on a professional level, but a personal one as well.  

Is there any reason outside of work that your boss may be against your promotion or raise?

Did you recently have a baby and now he may use it as a reason you won't be at your best?

Was he the former chess champ at the company wide game night until you came along?  And he's still pissed?

In an ideal world, maybe your personal life would be separate from your work life.  But more often than not, the two will collide.  And people being people, they are liable to hold grudges for a long time.

So it's best to be prepared.

Don't Forget About Other Perks & Benefits

When you are laser-focused on getting a raise, or negotiating your salary from a recent job offer, you tend to forget about the non-monetary compensation that can make a so-so deal into a great one.

So in addition to the money amount goal you would like to get, you should also make a list of the other perks and benefits that you want as well.

Should your boss only be able to meet you half-way money-wise, get him to throw in an extra week of paid vacation.  Or a one day a week work from home deal. 

You may not be getting the money you originally asked for but those added perks could make you feel like you just won the lottery.

Just because these benefits do not go to your bottom line doesn't mean they are any less valuable.  

In fact, those extra non-cash perks are sometimes worth more than any monetary compensation ever could be.

Those added benefits could change a mediocre job with a mediocre salary into the balanced work-life environment you've always dreamed of.

Know Your Boss' or Company's Goals

Knowing what makes your company tick or what your boss/company wants to achieve is essential if you are going to be successful in negotiating your pay increase.

Without knowledge of their goals, you won't be able to show them how you (and your work) have been essential in helping them achieve their goals.

Furthermore, you can use the knowledge of their interests to think of ways in which you could help them achieve their goals going forward so that they would help you achieve yours.

Hint hint.  Show me the money honey!

The key to a successful negotiation is aligning your company's interest with your own.  

Cause when you show them that you are both on the same team, working towards the same goals, they will feel connected to you.  

And that connection will make them more likely to give you what you want.

Focus on Them Not You

It's easy to think that negotiating your salary is all about you.  But if you go in with that attitude, you will be denied.  Point blank.

When people sense that you are only here for yourself and yourself alone, they are less likely to want work with you.  

Why?  Cause clearly there would be no benefit in it for them as you are only interested in helping yourself.

But if you come into the negotiation with a 'what is it that you need' and a 'how can I help' sort of attitude, you can get them to relax and open up.  

And when people are relaxed and open, they are more giving and generous.  

Exactly how you need them to be when you drop the bomb that you are going to need them to double your salary.  By tomorrow...  Yes.  That tomorrow.

Always Go For a Win-Win

Negotiations just like most things in life are so much more enjoyable when it is a win-win for everyone.  No one likes a lose-lose and the loser definitely doesn't like a win-lose.

Both of which could easily happen if one or both parties in a negotiation feel unheard or undervalued.  

That's why it takes you going into the negotiation ready and willing to truly listen and learn more about the other party. 

And, of course, you should be focused on making it a win-win.

Think of it as less of a negotiation and more like a collaboration.  

You are collaborating with a partner to find the best solution so that you both can move forward happy about the outcome.

Bonus Tips & Tricks:

• Have a salary range you can present to your boss with the number you actually want on the lower end.  That way, you won't box yourself in and you will be more likely to get your number or even higher.
• If possible, let them throw out a number first.
• Even if your company has a set 2% raise every year, don't be afraid to ask for more.  Nothing is ever set in stone.
• Always practice beforehand.  Get one of your closest friends to help you prepare for your negotiation by doing some role-play.

Overcoming Your Fears of Negotiation

"You cannot discover new oceans unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore."

Self Doubt

It's normal to doubt yourself and your capabilities sometimes.  And self-doubt will definitely make an appearance when you make the decision to go for a raise.

Asking for someone else to see your worth is hard.  But what can be even harder is actually being able to see your own worth.

For those of us who suffer from self-doubt or a lack of confidence, having the courage to ask for a raise may seem like asking a kid to give up candy.

Yeah.  Good luck with that.

But one way to overcome this is to talk to someone about it. Be sure though that you speak to the right person.  You definitely don't want a Negative Nancy or a Debbie Downer pulling you down further.

What if I don't have negotiation skills?

You may also doubt that you have the skills necessary to be a 'good' negotiator.  

Well, all the skill you really need is to be an attentive listener.  A listener with the goal of making both you and the other party happy.  And if you just stay committed that, you will get that raise you desire.

Be clear with what you want, be dedicated to doing what it takes to get it, and be compassionate enough to want to help your boss too.

What will my boss think?

Worried that your boss will think you are being greedy?  Don't.  

Anybody in any kind of managerial position expects there to come a time when their employee will ask for more money.

They are used to it.  

As long as how you go about it is good, you don't have to worry about upsetting your boss or making it awkward in the workplace.

A Final Word About Fears

Ultimately, you're going to have to decide what is more important.  Your fears or your goals.

If the reason you are asking for that raise is important enough to you, there is nothing that can stop you from getting it.  Especially not fear.

So make sure your reasons for wanting this raise are good, strong ones.  Cause they won't let you chicken out so easily.

Here are some more tips for overcoming your fears:

• Preparation and Practice, practice, practice.  Being well prepared will make you much more confident.
•  Realizing Your Worth  
  • Write down all the things you do well in general and job-related.  
  • Ask family and friends to list your good qualities.  
  • Do anything to boost your self-confidence and help you realize you have a lot to offer and you deserve this raise.

What to do if the Boss Says No

If your boss does not approve of your petition to get a raise this time around, it doesn't mean he won't approve it the next time.

Instead, use the remaining time during your performance review to set up some metrics and goals you must meet to get your desired raise.

Make sure they are laid out in detail with specific dates that they need to be completed by and the date you will receive your raise.  This will be your road map to making the money you desire.

The best part is it gives you achievable goals that you can focus on and that will help you stay on track. 

It is essentially the easy button for getting a raise.

All in All

Making the choice to negotiate your salary takes courage.  It's not easy stepping out of your comfort zone to ask for what you want.  But one things for sure, if you never ask for it, you'll never get it.  

And just think, even if they say no, you've lost nothing.  You are just back at where you started.  But if they say yes...

As I see it, in negotiating your salary there's nothing to lose and everything to gain.

To a Successful Negotiation!