Getting a raise now can have a big impact on your earnings going forward in 5, 10 or even 20 years. Bear in mind that salary increases are often based on a percentage of your current salary, so a larger salary now will pay out bigger and bigger over time. Negotiating for a raise is a skill you can master with some helpful tips. Muster the courage and ask for what you’re worth. 

Although right now may not be a time where many companies are offering salary increases, you can ask for a better benefits package and prepare your negotiation for when companies are more stable.

• Make sure you have a strategy. Think about what you want and when you’d like to have it. It helps to also consider what the risks and obstacles are and how you can respond to those. Prepare a solid case and back it up with the facts.
• Do your research.Take the time to see what similar positions with your experience and education are paying in your area. A good place to find information is Payscale.com. It’s a free salary report and offers a lot of relevant information to help you determine what you’re position is worth. Another place to look is the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
• Ask for more than you want. It makes sense to ask for 10-25% more than what you want. There’s usually some wiggle room to negotiate and if you ask for more, your employer has room to offer a bit less and you’ll end up where you want to be. Ask for a specific number that you want and not a round number or a range.  Asking for an exact figure shows you’ve done some homework and have something specific in mind and is a more powerful starting position. If you give a range, the employer will likely choose the lower end.
• Be able to justify what you ask for.In addition to the research about current salaries in your field, you should be keeping a “brag” sheet about your own accomplishments. Be sure to have on hand the specifics of when you went above and beyond your job, worked extra shifts or in other departments whenever asked, offered new solutions to challenges, helped train a team member, got additional certifications or education, etc. Be sure to explain how your contributions have made a difference to the company and the overall productivity of the team.
• Don’t rush. Once you get an offer, take some time to evaluate it. Sometimes silence can work to your advantage. Use this time to think about the whole package, including benefits as well as the promotion/bonus structure at the company.
• What if they say “no?”If there simply is no opportunity for a salary raise at this time, be prepared to talk about alternatives.  Can you have more paid time off, a better and more flexible schedule, a bonus tied to a specific project or additional training to advance your career? Be sure to remain positive and don’t get frustrated. Stay calm and professional and don’t give up.
• Timing is everything.It makes sense to begin talking with your boss about a salary discussion months before your scheduled review. If you wait until your review, chances are any increase has already been decided and the budget has already been divvied up. Set the stage and prepare to justify your worth when the time comes.
• Take the time to listen. Pay attention to what your manager is saying about priorities and goals. If you understand their needs, you can incorporate those into your discussion. Negotiating involves compromise. You need to know what he/she is dealing with on their end to come to a decision that is reasonable to you both.
• During this pandemic, email negotiations are fine. At this time when many of us are working fewer shifts and perhaps don’t see the boss in person as often as before, it’s perfectly fine to conduct your salary/benefits negotiation via email. It can even be beneficial to you since you’ll have more time to craft your message and can use notes to state your case. Be sure to infuse some empathy, pleasant conversation and a message that conveys the right tone and attitude. You’re building rapport here.
• Don’t make threats. Whatever your do, don’t threaten to quit unless you’re truly ready to walk away. Also, there’s no need to mention that you’re interviewing or considering other offers. Keep the conversation positive… ideally, you want to continue working with this company and team.
• If you don’t get a raise now, negotiate another review period. In the end, if you cannot get a raise at the moment, gain agreement that you’ll re-visit the discussion in 3 months or once you’ve attained a specific goal. Over time, if the answer is consistently “no,” and you are consistently performing well, it may be time to start looking for a company that will pay you what you’re worth.