- 1). Study your boss before setting up a meeting with her; reflect on her negotiation style. If she's most comfortable with quick meetings and pie charts, prepare by creating a graph of your accomplishments at the company. If she's more linguistic than visual, memorize your pitch. And if she's more of a logical, direct individual, she'll prefer a comparison between your salary and the salaries of others in your field.
- 2). Do your homework. Compile a list of your major accomplishments at the company and outline your contributions. Gather copies of emails and letters from customers and colleagues that sing your praises. Summarize how your responsibilities have grown. Find out how your salary stacks up. If you're paid less than workers in similar positions, you have added ammunition. Pull all of your data together, and rehearse your pitch with a friend.
- 3). Set up the meeting time. Strike while the iron's still hot: schedule your salary conference right after you've landed a big account, received a superior review or made a positive impression.
- 4). Go over your words and documents again just before the meeting. If you feel tense, calm down with a cognitive exercise: List the reasons why you're nervous, such as, "I'm afraid I'll get tongue-tied." Then describe the worst possible result of being inarticulate, such as, "I'll look silly." Next, devise an argument as to why that's untrue: "Everyone gets tongue-tied sometimes, and I don't think they're silly," or "I wasn't awkward at my last important meeting." Now reflect on how eager you are to take this step.
- 5). Meet with your boss, provide documentation and counter any objections. Ask for a specific percentage. If your boss argues that the company can't afford pay increases, gently remind her of your valuable contributions and point out the company's recent profit data. If the company truly isn't profitable, negotiate other perks. Ask for a better job title, stock options or telecommuting privileges.
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -