Planning to ask for a raise from your boss can be downright intimidating, even scary. You know the conversation can be quite uncomfortable especially you know that there might be a chance of rejection. For most people, the fear of getting turned down, making things awkward or even offending the managers is so great that they would rather keep mum, wait it out until their boss notice their measly salary (and hopefully will take pity) than asking for a raise.
These strategies ahead will help you overcome your anxiety and ask for the raise you deserve.
1. Ask yourself "How would getting a raise change your life?"
Will getting a raise eliminate a big chunk of your debt? Or would you feel respected and feel valued if you feel you're paid for what you think is your worth? Whether the reason is for you augment your income or make your family feel proud of you; you have to pinpoint your motivator on why you are planning to ask for a raise for your boss. Doing this can remove a portion of your anxiety and Going through the evidence of why you deserve a raise will help put you in the right mindset.
2. Prepare
Most success stories come after a thoughtful preparation. You should prepare for this meeting as you would prepare for any other business meeting. But sometimes, overpreparation could backfire so it's very important to prepare the right way. According to Melody Wilding, licensed therapist and Professor of Human Behavior at The City University of New York, "the practice of over-preparing is a common protective mechanism for managing anxiety. But, if you don't develop authentic confidence and solid negotiation skills, no amount of preparing is going to pay off."
3. Practice
Before you set an appointment with your boss to ask for a raise, practice by asking someone else first. Either you can role play with a friend, or asking a discount from a store, practicing can definitely boost your confidence. You can also try reverse role play where you can be the boss so you can gain perspective on how it feels to be the receiving end of your request.
Asking for a raise isn't about having a confrontation; rather, it's about creating an opportunity to seek what you deserve. If your request for a raise is denied and no reason is given, take the opportunity to ask open-ended questions about your performance and the reasons for the rejection.
