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Ways to Negotiate in the Workplace
If you feel that it’s time for a raise
(and most people do), it’s essential that you know how to go about asking
your boss for the money you know you deserve. As a woman, you may feel
a little intimidated when it comes to being assertive about money, but
there are ways to negotiate in the workplace that are effective—and
that you’ll feel comfortable with.
Ask at the right time.
You should make sure that you’ve been
on the job long enough for your boss to know your capabilities and strengths.
Six months to a year since the last review is usually a good time frame
to ask for a raise, unless you’re working part time or are on contract.
Even if you’re asking at the appropriate
time frame, be sure to be observant concerning the state of the company.
If you see that the company has been low on supplies or if employees
have had to cut back on hours, it may not be a good time to discuss
a raise. Also, if you and/or your other employees have been given a
bonus in the past few months, you may want to wait a while before you
ask for a raise. Part of the skill of negotiating in the workplace is
simply asking for what you need at the right time.
View a raise as a second job opportunity.
Prepare yourself thoroughly when you’re
thinking about asking for raise—look at it as the second time you’re
interviewing. Be confident, and be prepared to answer any questions
your boss may have. Try not to be too nervous when you’re negotiating
in the workplace, but don’t request to speak to your boss until you
know you’re ready. Be prepared to discuss why you think you deserve
the raise, highlight your recent accomplishments in the workplace, and
tactfully mention your past work experience, both in and out of the
company. If your boss sees that you’re just as ready to request a raise
as you are when it comes to preparing for job interview, the amount
of concern and effort you put into your raise request will definitely
be noticed.
Let your qualifications speak for themselves.
Another key to negotiating in the workplace
is asking for the right amount when it comes to receiving a raise. When
you accept the job, your boss knows about your previous experience,
and any awards you may have received, but when you’ve been working for
a while, you may need to remind him or her—tastefully—of the reasons
why you deserve to make more money. Continuing to show your skills in
the office, by providing quality work on time and getting along with
your coworkers will definitely put you in the running for a promotion
sooner than you think.
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