I'm negotiating for a raise. What's my first move?
4%
Nothing. Hard work is self-evident.
- Jennifer Manghisi, 27, from New York, NY
"Any place that doesn't recognize and value exceptional work is not a place where you want to work." - Lauren McHenry, 26, from Dallas, TX
"When you're the best at something or you work very hard, getting a raise is to be expected." - JoAnna Di Tullio, 24, from Boston, MA
"I'm not really qualified to answer this one, but I do believe in hard work." - Sarah Conrad, 27, from New York, NY
"If you've done a good job your boss will notice." - Jennifer Manghisi, 27, from New York, NY
"Any place that does not recognize and value exceptional work is not a place you want to work at."
51%
Put together a list of your recent accomplishments.
- Carly Twisselman, 25, from Los Angeles, CA
"If you point out what you have done recently they will see how valuable you are." - Kate Bailey, 26, from Chicago, IL
"Go the extra mile for a few weeks, making sure that your boss is aware of your intentions." - Justine Bour, 26, from Chicago, IL
"And if that doesn't work, then secure interviews at competitive firms." - Ashley Woolley, 25, from Chicago, IL
"Always be able to support your statements." - Luana Suciu, 25, from Boston, MA
"I want to move forward." - Rosie Dehoyos, 29, from Dallas, TX
"Sell yourself." - Erika San Miguel, 32, from Larkspur, CA
"Always, always do your due diligence—and practice your greatest sales pitch ever." - Jessica Angst, 23, from Palm Beach, FL
"It will allow your boss to see how valuable you truly are." - Lucy Malcolm, 26, from New York, NY
"Why are you negotiating? Your boss doesn't think you deserve one?" - Miana DeGardeyn, 33, from Chicago, IL
"Highlight your accomplishments - your employer will see how valuable you are to the company." - Claire Watkins, 25, from Santa Cruz, CA
"It should be evident you deserve it, but if necessary bust out the list!" - Priya Massand, 30, from Flushing, NY
"Nothing shows hard work like results." - Ashley Hayes, 24, from Los Angeles, CA
"Sell yourself as a vital part of the company. They'll see you deserve a raise." - Ashley Potter, 26, from Milwaukee, WI
"It's important to remind your boss how valuable you are." - Brittany Caudle, 25, from New York, NY
"You've gotta back it up." - Kate Sample, 31, from Chicago, IL
"Ask what is needed to move to the next level. If they don't answer, then it's time to look elsewhere" - Marisa Zupan, 27, from Brooklyn, NY
"Just be honest, confident and back it up." - Stephanie Singer, 30, from New York, NY
"You need to be able to back up why you deserve a raise!" - Sara Koch, 30, from Youngstown, OH
"Focus on your own work and then research what others are making." - Jessi Odenbach, 28, from Chicago, IL
"Have deliverables to prove your worth." - Susie Jones, 29, from Naples, Fl
"You have to prove you deserve it. Hang great dimples isn't enough." - Sara Jagodzinski, 24, from Carol Stream, IL
"Take the list to your boss and secure a meeting." - Maya Calaway, 24, from Boston, MA
"If you believe you have done the work to deserve a raise and have proof, your boss will too." - Mercedes Tahir, 23, from New York, NY
"I guess....as long as they match something." - Alison Dichter, 31, from New York, NY
"It's easier to defend your case if you have proper back-up" - Jenna E, 32, from Davenport, IA
"It's good to have examples of your successes all thought out just in case your boss has overlooked t" - Genevieve Melzer, 27, from San Francisco, CA
"Show them...most likely you are smarter and more hard working than your boss." - Doris Parker, 27, from Springfield, MA
"Maybe a list of accomplishments will further reinforce why you are worthy of a raise." - Ann Dang, 24, from San Diego, CA
"Be proactive." - Kira Wilkinson, 27, from Washington, DC
"Be confident, and be ready to support your claim." - Pienby Laurence, 25, from Jersey City, NJ
"You should make it clear that both you and the company would benefit from your continued work there." - Kelly Magsayo, 23, from La Jolla, CA
"You should know why you are deserving of a raise as opposed to blindly asking for one." - Rachel U, 26, from New York, NY
"Show them why you're worth it." - Sara Bour, 23, from Urbana, IL
"If it adds up then you truly deserve your raise! It should be clear." - Frankie Robinson, 36, from Chicago, IL
"I'd actually say a mixture of C and D... You can use the list if your hard work isn't acknowledged." - Elinor N, 23, from New York, NY
"You have to be able to sell yourself... WHY should they give you more?? Prove yourself!" - Claire Griffin, 28, from Charleston, SC
"You need to prove your worth." - Paula L, 28, from Miami, Florida
"This is the best idea." - Elise Stiller, 36, from Seaford, NY
"No one knows better about you than you!" - Wendy Liu, 23, from Alhambra, CA
"Think smart and convince the boss!" - Sherika Mair, 29, from West Palm Beach, FL
"If they can see that you're an assest to the firm then accomplishments are a great place to start." - Jill Hanner, 34, from Astoria, NY
"Make sure you can back up what you have to say." - Nora Lahl, 31, from Milwaukee, WI
"Your goal is to make more. Their goal is to pay less. Come prepared for battle." - Becca Schepps, 29, from Brooklyn, NY
"And then practice talking about yourself." - Yisell Muxo, 35, from Miami, FL
"and research..." - Nancy Spruiell, 43, from New York, NY
"Be sure to celebrate after you get the well deserved raise." - Cat Davis, 25, from New York, NY
"Show your boss why you're an asset to the team." - Laura Lefkowitz, 35, from New York, NY
"It's critical to be prepared and to show them you are serious." - Allison Baxley, 29, from New York, NY
"Show how you've contributed in a positive way so they can see on paper how you've added value." - Elizabeth Fenwick, 23, from Berkeley, CA
"Have the confidence to show that you and the work you do is a valuable asset to the company." - Jessica Barrutia, 24, from Chicago, IL
"It's proof!" - Amber Sellers, 33, from Brooklyn, NY
"Also have a plan B." - Erika Thomas, 25, from Miami, FL
"Show them how valuable you are and how much more you can be." - Britt Ancell, 26, from New York, NY
"Ammo's good, but confidence is the key." - Tiffany Clarke, 25, from richmond, ca
"A reminder never hurts." - Jen Gsell, 29, from Reston, VA
"Point out how you've been an asset to the company but don't push." - Deeana Lowe-Chin, 24, from Miami, FL
"Research and you will have something to reference in terms of why you deserve the raise." - Christine Behrens, 24, from Oakland, CA
"Make yourself valuable and they will be happy to pay for what they need." - Lisa Miao, 27, from New York, NY
"Just be as proactive as possible. Don't assume that your bosses know exactly what you've accomplishe" - Katrina Robinson, 28, from Charleston, SC
"I'm definitely not the most work-savvy, but this is what I would do." - Rachel U, 26, from New York, NY
"Show them why you're worth it." - Molly Millett, 23, from San Francisco, CA
"It's smart to prove you're amazing." - Jacquelyn Tillotson, 31, from Miami Beach, FL
"Establish a case. Nothing comes free in life." - Miki Taka, 27, from Columbus, OH
"If you work hard and think you deserve a raise, prove it." - Kate DAlleva, 25, from Morristown, NJ
"Most of this is just asking. Talk to the boss man!" - Nicole Laws, 30, from Fort Lauderdale, FL
"It's important to show your value in a company. Evaluate your ROI as an employee for the company." - Alicia Cohen, 37, from New York, NY
"Go in strong and show them what you've done. Results are what it's all about."
7%
Secure interviews at other competitive firms.
- Schuyler Pham, 24, from Brooklyn, NY
"Make sure you know what you're worth. It will help you pitch your most recent accomplishments." - Karoline D'Angola, 24, from Bernardsville, NJ
"If they won't pay you, someone will give you what you deserve." - Aja Bernard, 27, from Brooklyn, NY
"Always have a plan b." - Angela H, 0, from North, CA
"Have a plan B...in the business world of course :)" - Karoline D'Angola, 24, from Bernardsville, NJ
"If they won't pay you, someone will give you what you deserve." - Monique Lewis, 31, from New York, NY
"Make sure that you have something else to back up what you're looking for." - Renee Lucas, 30, from New York, NY
"Have a back up plan before you get too hasty." - Dominique Jackson, 29, from Los Angeles, CA
"Always have a plan B." - Samantha Conniff, 24, from Brooklyn, NY
"There are more lay offs than raises right now."
39%
Research! Talk to recruiters, friends, and colleagues.
- Jolene R, 24, from San Francisco, CA
"Be confident, and approach with calm." - Shelly Kaplan, 28, from Chicago, IL
"Know what you are asking for before you make a commitment to it." - Shelly Kaplan, 28, from Chicago, IL
"Know what you are asking for before you make a commitment to it." - Mekalia Reid, 27, from New York, NY
"Make sure your request is reasonable in light of market conditions before you do anything crazy." - Sandy Tragos, 32, from Chicago, IL
"That way you know exactly what you're worth." - Shannon Harknett, 24, from New Orleans, LA
"You don't want to miss out on an opportunity for a stupid and avoidable reason." - Francesca Lacuesta, 29, from Sacramento, CA
"Know exactly what the going rate for your position is." - Shelby Kovant, 25, from New York, NY
"Find out the best way to go about it from people who have been there!" - Tiffany Davis, 32, from San Diego, CA
"Know your worth when you are going for a raise." - Whitney R, 25, from Princeton, NJ
"Be prepared and know how your work compares to others at your level." - Dominique Jackson, 29, from Los Angeles, CA
"Be proactive and thoughtful - make sure you've got ammo before you go to war." - Julienne Irons, 27, from Los Angeles, CA
"Getting good advice will help make you more confident and self assured." - Kelly Kaems, 30, from Kew Gardens, NY
"If ONLY hard work was self-evident. People take advantage." - Marianna Branda, 23, from Miami, FL
"See what you're working with." - Christina Johnson, 31, from New York, NY
"That's always been my first move asking for a raise." - Theresa G, 24, from San Francisco, CA
"Don't go in blind-sighted. Talk to people first, especially close colleagues." - Vida James, 28, from New York, NY
"Be confident in that meeting." - Emily Woolf, 26, from Brooklyn, NY
"You should never go blindly into a meeting like that." - Kristin Castro, 24, from San Francisco, CA
"Research what other companies pay their employees who are in the same field." - Anna Bykova, 23, from San Francisco, CA
"Research and find, that`s what happens." - Johanna Beyenbach, 29, from New York, NY
"It helps to know what's industry standard, what other people in your position make, etc." - Jennifer Beio, 26, from Chicago, IL
"Find out what your chances are before making a fool of yourself." - Jessica G, 25, from Boca Raton, FL
"Research is the first necessary step to back up your opinions" - Kylan Conroy, 24, from Chicago, IL
"Must present a good case first!" - Danielle L, 26, from Chicago, IL
"You cannot overestimate being well-informed." - Shelby Kovant, 25, from New York, NY
"Find out the best way to go about it from people who have been there!" - Anne C, 24, from Miami, FL
"Compare your pay to what others just as qualified as you are getting." - Vanessa Jeong, 28, from San Leandro, CA
"Being well-informed commands respect!" - Ashley Becker, 26, from New York, NY and Miami, FL
"Asking for advice and strategic moves is always a good idea, but trust yourself!" - Greta Eagan, 30, from New York, NY
"You are on a need to know basis." - Grace Hsieh, 22, from San Diego, CA
"Shared knowledge is valuable." - Jackie Rivera, 25, from Miami, FL
"Give yourself a plan, but leave it open for any spontaneous opportunity..." - Regina Melzer, 32, from Los Angeles, CA
"In this case, knowledge is power." - Emily Pelton, 29, from Brooklyn, NY
"Know what you're really worth, you don't want to seem over-confident." - Vicky Chivy, 26, from San Diego, CA
"Bring your weapons." - Veronica Cheung, 24, from San Diego, CA
"I haven't had a chance to try this though." - Vicky Kuo, 24, from San Diego, CA
"Research then put together a list of your accomplishments." - Krissy P, 25, from NJ
"It's good to know what you're up against." - Kimone Campbell, 27, from Palm Beach, FL
"You want to know what works." - Senait Mengstab, 30, from San Francisco, CA
"I say all of the above (except nothing), and getting an offer elsewhere gives you serious leverage." - Rebecca Nashleanas, 25, from Los Angeles, CA
"See how colleagues have approached the topic, look around for offers, and keep working." - Nadia Reiman, 28, from Brooklyn, NY
"Know your market. Be a don draper." - Vicky K, 25, from Chino Hills, CA
"Get to know what you're dealing with." - Deborah Lau, 23, from La Jolla, CA
"Most of the time, raises are political and not based as much on performance." - Amy S., 25, from Chicago, IL
"No matter what accomplishments you've made, you need to get a feel for what's possible." - Amy Liu, 23, from San Diego, CA
"Research should always be a first move." - Grace Kang, 29, from Los Angeles, CA
"Having information is always good." - Rosalind Sun, 23, from San Diego, CA
"If you don't now how to get a raise, how are you supposed to get one?" - Gina Kim, 24, from San Diego, CA
"Yeah hard work is self-evident, but employers aren't dying to give you a raise. Give them a nudge!" - Heather Callan, 25, from Chicago, IL
"They will already be familiar with your work. When you meet, display some additional knowledge." - Kate Cohen, 27, from Syosset, NY
"Ask around."