Asking for a pay rise

If you feel you're underpaid, but overworked, it may be time to ask for a pay rise. Here are some cultural dos and don'ts for getting a pay rise from an English-speaking boss.

Do

Be prepared to quantify your value to the company. Have you made the company a profit or gained new clients? Have you achieved other things in your company, or taken on new responsibilities? If you can support your argument with facts and figures, this will go down more favourably with your boss.

Find out how much people are paid in similar positions in other companies. Research job sites or newspaper ads so that you can get an idea of how your salary compares.

Think about what other benefits you can ask for, if your boss doesn't give you a pay rise. For example, you might be able to ask for extra time off, or to go on a training course, or even to be transferred to another office.

Practise what you want to say before you see your boss. English bosses tend to appreciate brevity over flowery language, so try to be as concise as possible.

Don't

Don't just walk into your boss's office and demand a pay rise. Ask your boss in advance for a performance review and say that you want to discuss pay. He or she will appreciate having time to think about it.

Don't ask for a pay rise at the beginning or the end of the working week. Monday morning and Friday afternoons are not good times to discuss pay reviews.

Don't get angry or upset if your boss doesn't agree. Instead, politely ask when the next performance review will be and what criteria you need to meet before you will get a pay rise.

What about you?
Do you have any cultural tips for asking for a pay rise in your country?