Article of Interest from BPW/USA

You're dismayed by the wage gap. You've written to your member of Congress. Now you're waiting for your boss to knock on your door (or cubicle wall) and reveal your 27% pay increase, as mandated by the government. Well, you may be waiting until the year 2038 (at the current rate of change). Unless you take matters into your own hands and ask for a raise. Here are 10 helpful tips to get the raise you deserve.

Getting the Raise you Deserve

It’s All in the Asking

WASHINGTON (November 22, 1999) -- Men are still earning more than women – lots more. According to the most recent Census Bureau data, the pay gap between men and women is 27% - a woman earns 73 cents for every dollar a man earns. What does that mean? A woman works four weeks to earn as much as her male counterpart earns in three weeks. How can women close the gap? Knock on the boss’ door and ask for a raise because getting the raise is not as difficult as it might seem. Here are 10 tips to assist women in negotiating the annual raise.

Be a star performer. Make yourself indispensable to the company. Document your successes by saving emails, letters, and compiling them into a portfolio. Make sure to take this with you when you go to your boss.

Research. Know what other men and women in your field are paid.

Focus on your contributions to the company. While the raise is certainly important to you, do not focus on how it will help your credit card debt.

Be informed. Know the company's policy on raises by asking your human resources director.

Timing is everything. Don’t ask when the office is hectic, wait until the pace has slowed down and the moment is right.

Do your homework. Rehearse and prepare responses to counter any objections your boss might have. Know ahead of time what the difficult questions might be and have your answers ready!

Rehearse. If you can, act out the scenario with a friend or colleague. This will help you to become more comfortable when you are actually doing the asking.

Be a professional. Ask for a formal meeting with your boss.

Cover your bases. Make four points about your contribution prior to asking for the raise. Illustrate your ability:

to find solutions,

to go above and beyond your job responsibilities,

to help others, and most importantly,

to increase the company’s profitability.

Don’t take no for an answer. Negotiate - more vacation time, stock options, 401K contribution, or flex-time. Set goals and ask for another review in three months.

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