Asking for a pay rise can feel awkward, but it doesn't have to be

What are some tips for getting a salary rise?

I want to ask my employer for a pay rise but I get so nervous talking about money. How should I go about asking for a pay rise? ‒‒ Lauren E.

Talking about money can be uncomfortable but, if you want to get a pay rise at work, it's a necessary evil. After all, this brief period of discomfort is a small price to pay if it helps you to reach your full earning potential.

So, how do you broach the subject of a pay rise with your boss? I recently shared my tips with The Sun's Rebecca Goodman on how to successfully ask for a pay rise. Click here to read the full article.

Before you have the all-important meeting with your boss, keep the following things in mind:

Do your research

Before you march up to your boss and ask for more money, do some digging into the current market rate for the role you're performing. Can you prove you're simply asking to be paid market value? You can use sites such as Glassdoor to do this, but make sure you consider factors like your company's location, size, and industry, which will all impact how much your employer is able to offer you.

Conduct your own performance review

Spend time evaluating your performance and progression since your last review. You will need to state how you have at least met, if not exceeded, your goals for the year. Also consider how your role has evolved ‒ have you taken on greater responsibility, bigger projects, or more prestigious clients? Remember, this is about measurable value, not a reward. If you've been a successful, productive member of the team and have been taking on new responsibilities, this is the time to share that information.

Keep a record

Make sure you are able to confidently demonstrate what you've done to move the company forward, whether that's saving the company time or money as a direct result of your work, helping to make day-to-day operations run more smoothly, increasing brand recognition, or securing new business leads. Make sure you don't forget your successes by keeping a "brag book" ‒ an online or paper document which is a great way to track accomplishments at work. Be armed with this information in your meeting, so you can evidence your achievements to your boss.

Start the conversation early

Ideally, get the wheels turning before your performance review is due, if possible. Making your intentions clear early on will put you in the best possible position to negotiate. This is essential, because by the time you're sitting in your performance review, budgets may already have been decided.

Leave emotion at the door

Remind yourself that your request for a pay rise is not personal; it's strictly business. Be cognisant of your tone of voice and body language – the last thing you want to do is convey anger, frustration, or a high level of anxiety when asking for a pay rise. If you feel yourself tensing up, remind yourself that it's only a conversation.

Keep something in your back pocket

If you're not able to get the financial raise you're after, you might want to explore other benefits with your boss such as a change in professional title, flexible working, extra holiday days, or development opportunities. Suss out which way the discussion is going and keep these in your back pocket as a way of reaching a compromise that both parties are happy with.

Click on the following link for more tips on how to get the pay rise you deserve.

Amanda Augustine is a certified professional career coach (CPCC) and resume writer (CPRW) and the resident careers expert for Talent Inc.'s suite of brands: TopResume, TopCV and TopInterview. On a regular basis, she answers user questions like the one above. Have a question? Take a look at her career advice or ask a question on her Quora page.

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