How to ask for a raise and come out with a promotion

Put up your hand if you're not earning as much as you are worth?

Ok. That would be everyone in the room.

If you think your boss should pay you more, put up your hand. Again, the same people will eventually contract RSI - (Repetitive Snivelling Incredulousness)

And the boss-man (or woman, or negro, or hispanic..ya-da, ya-da) would look you in the eye and say, "Why?"

Hmmm...now that one I can't answer with a hand up. Perhaps if I batter my mascaraed eyelashes and show a littleflesh he may be more persuaded without wasting my negotiation skills?

Or not.

If you're going to approach your boss for a wage rise you need to be a little more prepared. Businesses never succeed by handing money to everyone who sticks out their hand. They're usually a little choosy when it comes to parting with fistfuls of dollars they could have spent elsewhere.

So, you want a bigger slice of the action. Let's start at the original question - Why?

Are you outperforming the business' expectations of your role? Have you been working more than what was originally expected? Has your performance increased the company's bottom line?

In essence, your boss wants to know why he/she should part with the money you're requesting?

If you've done a little homework before the final assault on your boss' office hopefully you have answered a few very pertinent questions. Big ones like;

Is a wage increase what I'm really after?

If the boss does give me a raise, will I be satisfied or is there something else I need more? Perhaps more social or family-friendly hours. Maybe a bigger office or even an assistant. Or, what about a little more recognition? Even better personal development might be just the ticket for increasing your job satisfaction.

But then again, it could just be the money!

So why should you be getting more than what you are now? Have you improved? Has the business? Has the economy? The last two questions are the most important if there is at all a likelihood that you will see a salary increase. If they're not answered with a resounding "Yes" then the time to ask is probably not now.

If they can be positively answered, then you need to remind your boss of some of your highlights. What have you done that's succeeded and progressed the company?

Or, maybe you really just need a promotion!

Perhaps business has been going so well due to your efforts that it's time to take it all. Don't just settle for a few extra thousand each year. Take the whole shabbang! (You can use that word, it's not patented!) Put your case that a wage increase is certainly deserved but so is a larger portfolio and parking space.

Never be afraid to ask but always be reasonable. Greedy employees rate as highly as a plague of mosquitoes on an uncovered arm.

Take the time to prepare your case and help your boss see the benefits for her (W.I.F.M - What's In For Me). If you're worth the extra raise and everything else is going well, then it's just a matter of convincing the powers that be.