How to ask your boss for a raise

Very rarely will you have the opportunity to begin working for a company and receive a pay that you are completely satisfied with.Most of us start at a lower pay and expect to receive a raise as we prove that our work is worth more.However, for many people asking the boss for a raise can be quite an ordeal.Whether it is your nerves, the fear of rejection, or simply your inexperience, asking for a raise can be difficult but doesn't have to be.Below are suggestions for how you can better prepare for asking your boss for more money:

Make sure you're in a good position
Sure everyone wants to make more money but not everyone deserves to.Make sure that you are the kind of individual that you would give a raise to if you were the boss.You need to be sure that there are no reasons why your boss should turn you down for the raise that you deserve.

- Success at the company - Stagnant workers are not the ones that usually receive pay increases.You need to deserve a raise before you can expect to get one.
- Clean record - Having a history of any unfavorable behavior can hurt your chances for a raise even if you are a successful employee.Make sure that you have worked to keep your performance reports clean.
- Punctual and rarely absent - Being sick or missing the bus may not seem like the things that can keep you from getting a raise, but they can certainly add up to become intimidating factors.Even good excuses are still excuses and an employer would rather do without someone that is not dependable.When you ask for a raise remember that your character will be called into question and having problems making it to and from work on time can really say a lot about your commitment issues.
- Longevity - It takes time to earn a pay increase.Pay increases are given as a result of consistent high and improving performance.Time is the only way to indicate if an employee can show any valuable measure of consistency.
- Have a good argument - Be able to answer the question, "Why should I give you a raise?"What makes you better than the other people making the same amount of money?When you approach your boss asking for a raise make it an easy decision for him.

Be professional
Asking for more money is no laughing matter.Even a few cents over the course of a year can really add up.Take this opportunity to talk with your boss seriously and treat this meeting with the utmost professionalism.
- Request a personal meeting - A raise is not something to be discussed at the water cooler.Set aside some time when it is convenient for your boss to sit down and discuss your performance and your requests.
- Respect your boss's time - Your boss has a lot of things to do, do not waste his time building up a lengthy argument as to why you should get a raise.Have a few concise and compelling points and then simply ask for the pay increase.Take your lead from your boss, if he wants to spend more time talking about the matter he will guide the conversation.
- Provide physical evidence of the facts - A boss needs physical evidence to show that you are a consistent and productive worker.A pay raise is in essence a monetary acknowledgement of an above par performance.Show your boss just how above average you are by having physical evidence (in the form of supervisor evaluations, sales numbers, etc.) on hand.

Take rejection well
Sometimes, and for reasons that you may not be told, you will not get the raise that you hoped for.Don't ruin your chances at the company by handling the rejection badly.
- Do not burn bridges - This saying is popular in the business world and means that even though you weren't given a raise you have still spend time building a name for yourself in the company and you should not throw that work away at the first sign of disappointment.There will most likely be other opportunities available to you in the future.
- Ask for suggestions for improvement - If your boss decides not to give you a raise respectfully ask what you can be doing now to ensure a raise in the future.You may be surprised by the council that you receive.