Your Career Coach Blog

This article was written to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about how to get a raise and address common challenges. I hope you'll find this information helpful.

In this post, you will learn some of the most carefully hidden secrets about asking for a raise and getting it! It's advice from a top expert - and you can take this wisdom to the bank. It has the power to skyrocket your income - guaranteed. Read on...

Feeling overworked and underpaid? If you’re starting to feel like you're long overdue for a raise, here are eight DO’s and DON’Ts to build your confidence and tact (and what to avoid!) in asking for the salary you feel you deserve.

DO ...

1. Devise a Plan of Action. First and foremost, devise your strategy. Make note of the specific projects you’ve undertaken and the results you’ve achieved. List each of your job skills and the strengths that make you an asset to your employer. Find out what a typical raise is for someone with your experience in your particluar job. Know the facts and be realistic in your request.

2. Ask for an amount that’s slightly higher than one you would be happy with. If you would be happy with a 5% raise, ask for one a couple of points above it. That way, if your boss starts to negotiate, you won’t feel as if your worth has been diluted any by getting less than what you feel you deserve.

3. Remember, your boss and you are BOTH negotiating here. Think of it as a two-way street. If your company is going through a slow period or the economy is down, try to be flexible. Know how you'll respond if your boss agrees to a raise, but suggests a lower amount than what you may have been expecting. Consider other ways of getting a raise too, such as additional vacation time, employee perks or more time off. All of these can be just as good (if not better!) than an actual amount of money.

4. Make an appointment to meet formally with your supervisor to discuss your raise request. Avoid choosing a Monday or Friday when bosses are at their busiest. Studies have actually shown that people are more receptive on a Tuesday or Wednesday after lunch. That way, they’re not thinking about the weekend or their stomachs while you’re getting up the nerve to ask about a raise! If you’re afraid of being interrupted during your request, ask to speak to your supervisor for a few minutes after hours.

Sidenote: Hope you're finding this useful? I have always been curious about this matter. And when I found very little quality information about it, I decided to share a part of what I've learned about it - which is why this article came to be written. Read on.

DON’T ...

1. Raise your tone of voice if your boss objects to your raise at first. Remember, he or she is paying you to do a certain job, and you’re asking for more money to do the same job. Be professional and polite at all times, and listen more than demand. Chances are, if your supervisor doesn’t agree to a raise right off the bat, they might hint at what else could be done to earn it. If they don’t, don’t be afraid to ask what steps would be necessary to prove yourself.

2. Threaten with quitting if you don’t get the raise or tell your boss you have another job offer unless you actually do. He or she just might call your bluff and let you go!

3. Stumble or beat around the bush with your request. Be straightforward and confident. You are a valuable member of a team and the supervisor hired you because they obviously thought you were the best qualified. If you have thank you notes from customers or letters from the company praising you for a job well done, bring those to your meeting too, as they’ll help to justify your request and remind your supervisor of your value to the company and its progress.

4. Compare yourself to, or talk negatively about, your coworkers or others in a position higher than you. You may think that this will put you in a positive light when it comes to a promotion or a raise, but to your boss, it may look as though you think you're something special and not part of the team.

Remember, be confident, professional and tactful if you want to get a raise. If the boss says "no" or wants to "think about it", open his mind to further consideration by volunteering to do more at the office. Stay an extra hour or help another team on a critical project. This demonstrates that you’re willing to go the extra mile, rather than just sayihg, "gimme the money first and THEN I’ll work". Good luck—now get that raise!

Till next time,



"Coach Don"

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January 18, 2006 15:11 - Be Prepared for Tough Interview Questions

One of the things that will ensure that you get the job of your dreams is that you do well in any job interviews you go to. Do you know what to expect from the interviewer? Do you know what they are looking for?

If not, you may want to read the following article, which takes apart advice given to interviewers/recruiters and helps you know how to respond...

I highly recommend you give this a 10-minute read. Your time will be well worth spending on this! Just click the link below my signature.

Till next time,



"Coach Don"

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January 30, 2006 12:39 - What Will You Do If You Lose Your Job?

Coping with job loss can be traumatic... but the key term here is "coping."

Surely, you've heard by now that Ford Motors is laying off 25,000 people this year. In manufacturing alone last year, nearly 100,000 jobs were lost. The face of the job market is changing, especially for those without a college degree. There are less and less trade jobs available all of the time.

So what will you do if your job evaporates in the future? Are you prepared?

Click the link below to read some suggestions we have with not only coping with job loss, but thriving in spite of it, in your career and your life...

Until next time,



"Coach Don"

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