Is It time to Ask for a Raise?

by Dice Staff Feb 8, 2010 2 min read

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics made official what tech professionals have known for some time: Wages aren't keeping up with inflation. Increases for 2009 and 2008 for private industry workers were the smallest since the Bureau started keeping records more than 25 years ago, according to information released Friday.

Money Working harder for less money is bad for morale, and it won't pay the bills. So now that the economy is improving, is it time to take action? The good news is that job seekers in some areas are receiving multiple offers, which is helping to drive up salaries according to tech recruiters. At least a few job seekers reported similar experiences on the Dice Discussions board.

Sometimes the only way to get more money is to change jobs, so you can reset your salary to market rates. But if you'd rather stay put and receive a larger increase, you'll need to take the bull by the horns and lay the foundation before annual raises are doled out. Take these steps now to get a bigger raise in 2010.

Act now: If you haven't traditionally pushed for more money, your boss may not see you as a flight risk, so he'll apportion larger increases to vocal employees. In addition, managers are often required to submit paperwork for annual salary increases early in the year, so initiate a discussion before it's too late.

Stay calm and focused: Don't sandwich your request between a host of other topics, set an appointment specifically to discuss your salary, so your boss knows you're serious. To help you remain calm throughout the meeting, anticipate both his positive and negative responses.

Be specific: After the traditional "thank you for seeing me" segue, state your case clearly and succinctly. Mention that your performance warrants a larger raise and that your salary is no longer competitive, especially in light of your increased responsibilities. Given the facts, you're requesting a $10,000 increase. Then stop talking while your boss responds. It's important to listen intently and watch his body language, so you know where you stand.

Evaluate your options: It's possible your boss may not be able to approve your request on the spot, so request a follow-up meeting. Don't let him off the hook until you receive a firm answer. You may not get the $10,000 you originally requested, but you'll receive a larger increase if you act now and make a specific demand.

-- Leslie Stevens-Huffman

Working harder for less money is bad for morale, and it won't pay the bills. So now that the economy is improving, is it time to take action? The good news is that job seekers in some areas are receiving multiple offers, which is helping to drive up salaries according to tech recruiters. At least a few job seekers reported similar experiences on the Dice Discussions board.

Act now: If you haven't traditionally pushed for more money, your boss may not see you as a flight risk, so he'll apportion larger increases to vocal employees. In addition, managers are often required to submit paperwork for annual salary increases early in the year, so initiate a discussion before it's too late.

Stay calm and focused: Don't sandwich your request between a host of other topics, set an appointment specifically to discuss your salary, so your boss knows you're serious. To help you remain calm throughout the meeting, anticipate both his positive and negative responses.

Be specific: After the traditional "thank you for seeing me" segue, state your case clearly and succinctly. Mention that your performance warrants a larger raise and that your salary is no longer competitive, especially in light of your increased responsibilities. Given the facts, you're requesting a $10,000 increase. Then stop talking while your boss responds. It's important to listen intently and watch his body language, so you know where you stand.

Evaluate your options: It's possible your boss may not be able to approve your request on the spot, so request a follow-up meeting. Don't let him off the hook until you receive a firm answer. You may not get the $10,000 you originally requested, but you'll receive a larger increase if you act now and make a specific demand.

-- Leslie Stevens-Huffman