5 simple steps to boost your paycheck

You deserve a bigger paycheck.

I know you won’t argue with me on that point, but what are you doing to convince your boss that you deserve it?

It’s not that easy to just stroll into work one day and ask for that raise, but these 5 simple steps will set you up for the best possible success when asking for it.

You know you deserve the raise, you just have to know how to ask for it, and these steps are a sure-fire way to get your boss to open up the checkbook and bump that salary of yours.

Step 1

Ask for an obviously unreasonable amount

By displaying lightheartedness and humor in asking for a raise of double your salary, you leave the ball on your boss’s side of the court. It will then be up to him to come down to a figure instead of inching up from your current salary.

Ask for $100,000, and then laugh about it. This technique could possibly earn you another $10,000 a year as long as you don’t act too serious about it.

Step 2

Get personal

Don’t be afraid to talk to your boss about your personal life. Obviously don’t inundate him with drama between you and your spouse or children, but talk about your hometown and your childhood during the salary conversation.

This lets him know that you’re a real person with a real background. Too many people enter the raise conversation talking about their accomplishments at the job.

They see your yearly or quarterly reports; the numbers inform them exactly how you’re doing, but by bringing up personal conversation your boss might see the real you and connect on a personal level.

Step 3

Let your boss talk

After you’ve introduced this new personal level of your professional relationship, ask your boss about his hometown and childhood.

Don’t probe into areas where you’re unwelcome, but ease him into personal conversation and listen intently.

The more interest you show in his personal life, the better chances you have of getting that desired raise.

Step 4

Surprise!

Without crossing any boundaries, be different. If you work for a big company your boss has to sit through hundreds of these meetings. The more you stand out, the better chance you have of getting a bigger raise.

Now, you can’t be offensive or over-dramatic when it comes to the surprise, but let him know that you care about the company by being passionate when you talk about your position.

Surprise him by getting emotional (just enough) when talking about things that have angered you or made you happy.

Passionately express your desire to help the company flourish.

Step 5

Coffee

This might sound obvious, but by drinking coffee before your meeting with your boss you’ll be more alert and will be quicker with your responses.

Studies show that drinking coffee enhances persuasiveness and a healthy amount of stubbornness.

You don’t want to go into the meeting shaking from a caffeine overdose, but a single cup right before will set you up for the confidence you need when talking about your raise.

By following these 5 simple steps, your boss will have an extremely difficult time not giving you the big raise you deserve. And, who knows, you might even become your boss’s favorite employee around the office—not a bad position to be in for future raises.

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