by Cody Hodge

Created on: March 23, 2009

Every so often we feel as if we have gone above and beyond expectations, and therefore should be compensated for that extra effort. In plain terms, there are times in which we feel we deserve a raise, and there are many reasons for wanting a raise. Maybe an employee has been with the company for a long time, or hasn't gotten a raise in a significant amount of time. For whatever reason, the amount of money being made at the current time doesn't seem fair anymore, and more money is desired. However, management may not see things the same way, so what can you do to overcome those objections?

Make sure that you are sure that you deserve a raise. I'm not saying that you don't but make sure that you have done all the things possible to make the strongest possible case. In other words, do your homework, and come out with strong evidence that you deserve the raise that you are seeking. It isn't always that management doesn't want to give you a raise, but sometimes even they have people to answer too, and may have to make a case to powers higher than themselves.

If you haven't gotten a raise in three years, make that known to your supervisor. If you are having a problem paying off an urgent bill, and the raise could help keep your house, or car, tell your supervisor. If you know that you could make more money elsewhere, tell your supervisor. If you are a good employee, and truly deserve a raise, making those points known can help your case, and can give your supervisor more ammuntion to help go to bat for you.

In a down economy, it may be that there is no money for a raise. One of the easiest ways for the company to save money without layoffs, or reducing pay is to just not give raises. It doesn't hurt the employees per se, and it doesn't hurt the company either. Make sure that the company can even offer a raise, and it might be that the fact you have your job still is going to be all you are going to be able to get at this point.

Research the pay scale within your company. Most employers will have a set pay scale in which employees are paid. Depending on years of service, skills, position, and other factors, there may already be limits set when it comes to pay. If you are capped out, or are already at the top of your pay scale, perhaps a promotion, or some sort of cross-training could make you more valuable. You could transfer to a department that offers higher pay. There may be other options besides just a straight up raise in pay.

There are plenty of reasons as to why an employer may object to giving you a raise. Most of the time an employer won't give a raise for the reasons stated above, and not because you are a bad employee. Make the best possible case for yourself, and give anyone going to bat for you the best possible reasons for giving you a raise. It may not be possible now, but if you are willing to think outside of the box, chances are they may be willing too as well.

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