Ten tips to negotiate a 10% pay rise
In these times of rising living costs, we could all do with a bit of extra income. But before you storm into your boss’s office and demand a bigger salary, read our top ten tips on becoming a smooth negotiator.
1. Do your homework
Consult job ads, recruiters, and colleagues to find out the pay range for your job. Then work out the skills you need to claim the top 10 per cent of that pay range.
2. State your objectives clearly
When you ask for a meeting, don’t talk vaguely about "prospects" - be clear that you want to talk about your contribution to the organisation and that you’re asking for a pay rise.
3. Be clear about what you want
Are you really after a pay rise, or would your life be improved by something else, such as flexible working or more varied work? Know exactly what you are asking for.
4. Create the right impression
Make sure you look, act and sound like a person already holding down a job paying the kind of salary you want. Don’t try to negotiate a pay rise in an old suit.
5. Make your pitch
Your opening needs to be about your contribution, and not about money. Talk about what you have added to the role and how you have made a difference.
6. Bid, don’t complain
Managers get defensive when it comes to pay issues. No matter how carefully you make your case, what they will hear is "I’m unhappy". Be careful to ensure that you communicate how much you enjoy the job, particularly those parts where you have extended your job content.
7. Don’t talk about your bottom line
Don't be tempted to talk about what you "need" financially, or about your financial commitments or pressures. Talk about the value you add to the business.
8. Let your boss shoot first
Keep your cards close to your chest. Try to find out what your employer is prepared to offer before you say what you would like. Even if your employer asks "What did you have in mind?" it’s worth at least one attempt to find out what might be possible.
9. Negotiate like a pro
Don’t believe that the first offer, particularly if it’s made quickly, is the last word. Relate your proposed total salary in monthly terms to the annual bottom line contribution of the job, and be aware of how much it will cost to replace you.
10. Assert yourself
Stand up for yourself. Demonstrate exactly the same robustness and negotiation skills your employer expects you to use in the job.
Compiled by Lauren Thompson and John Lees, author of How To Get A Job You’ll Love
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1) Please do not encourage the plebs to come whining cap-in-hand.
2)Why are you leaving double spaces after full stops? It's archaic.
Posted by: H Curzon | 26 Aug 2008 15:46:09
If you care about your job, you do it for love of what you are doing and not for money. I can't believe that people can be so grasping! I have worked with animals for 17 years on what most people would call a 'pittance' but the happiness on the little creatures' faces is the only reward I want
Posted by: Jane Miles | 26 Aug 2008 17:19:32
You might like to ask your manager:
"What do YOU think I'm worth to the organisation?"
If he turns round and says "Well you tell me", reply, "No it's your judgement that matters, not mine."
Posted by: Steve S | 27 Aug 2008 07:52:28
The writer of this article assumes that most people get to negotiate! I'm a secretary and was told to like it or leave! As for loving your work, love don't pay the bills.
Posted by: Emma | 27 Aug 2008 09:05:40
Whats this concept, payrise. I haven't had one in years!
Posted by: Dave Bridge | 27 Aug 2008 10:39:41
In this environment i'd also advise your readers to have their top 10 CVs ready for afterwards.
Posted by: Steve T | 27 Aug 2008 14:37:16
"In this time of rising living costs, negotiate a ten percent payrise"
does anyone know how inflation works? not at the Times online.
if everybody did this living costs would just rise more.
So shut up!
Posted by: william | 27 Aug 2008 15:41:50
Well done H Curzon. Good old tory attitude. Lets keep the 'plebs' where they belong. How dare they request a rise. At least the conservative spirit is alive and well in middle England. I guess you give your serfs a kick up the backside once a week and make them grateful for it. FFS its 2008 not 1908.
Posted by: A. Skilling | 27 Aug 2008 19:32:31
Mr Skilling: Your Red Rant is unwelcome here. I take comfort in the fact that the return to power of the Natural Party of Government is imminent. Alea iacta est.
Posted by: H Curzon | 27 Aug 2008 21:02:32
For people who need to rely on the State Pension, this is cloud cuckoo land! Their income is so far behind reality it's a disgrace and the bottom line is the ignominy of intrusive, means-tested state handouts. Just a cost-of-living based, 'real world' review would re-instate self-respect and dignity to
those who, after all, make a very important contribution to the ecomomy of the country as a whole.
Posted by: V.Burbidge | 27 Aug 2008 21:51:24
Do not fear V. Burbridge. H. Curzon believes that the Natural Party of Government will be back soon. The pensioners hearts should be gladdened at this prospect.
H. Curzon. Thank you for your kind comments. No doubt you are speaking on behalf of the editor.
Posted by: A. Skilling | 28 Aug 2008 18:03:35
Everyone seems to be missing the point.
This is not about 'lazy plebs' or pensioners or for people trying to get a money for nothing
rise who don't deserve it; but actually there are millions of people who do go to work in in one role and after about a year to 18months they find that they are doing something like two people's jobs and a hell of a lot more than there original remit - without the extra pay.
The only snag here is that wonderful comapny sitting on millions on the bank, can sit on those millions because they get people to do two peoples jobs on a single wage - I see it day ion day out at secretary to middle management level. The Execs are rarer and therefore ahve the bargaining power to increase the compensation.
Im not anti-capitalist or a "hate the corp's" ranter, but everyone who finds themselves in that situation is perfectly entitled to go in there and point out that you are underpaid for the job you do compared to the market.
Steve, you're absolutely right - you should have your CV's ready, and in fact they should be out there months before you try to negotiate, and you should have a back up plan/job in place: simply because, if you are declined a rise to the current market rate (the important point, then you should not be working there anyway.
Maybe even try pointing out the company could save 20-30% of a new persons annual salary that they would pay for my sevices, if they could find it in the budget to increase their salary! (putting myself out of business!)
THE INDIVIDUAL offers a service to a company in a job - THE INDIVIDUAL is not a bloody charity.
Posted by: Paul Furlong | 29 Aug 2008 09:03:25
THE REAL INFLATION RATE
You might like to point out that the real rate of inflation in this country is over 15% p.a. rather than the fictional 4% propaganda the government and business would like you to believe.
Posted by: Swissfondue | 4 Sep 2008 10:00:24
Most people in a company give nothing to it and the further up the tree you go the less they give. Most PAs to CEOs spend more time ordering stuff for their boss's girlfriends on-line than doing work for the company. Don't squeemishly ask for a rise, demand one after you have another better job offer then when they prevaricate resign and watch them fall over themselves to give you money. Companies need good people and it is time those at the top got far less and those at the bottom doing the work demanded far more. And what sort of suit you wear has nothing whatever to do with it. I remember a famous investor being asked for investment tips and he said understand what the company does but above all if they have a company flag on a pole outside avoid that company because the managers clearly are too busy with appearances to get on with doing their jobs. If you are making them a profit demand more stark naked dancing on their desk if you want and they will give you it.
Posted by: John | 4 Sep 2008 13:20:21