Let’s face it. Asking for a raise is one of the hardest things for most people to do. We’re often afraid we’ll get shut down, be looked at differently, be asked why or make it an awkward situation between you and your boss.

I want to share some tips on how to make it less awkward and more powerful. Let’s face it….not many companies just throw money at their employees or recognize your hard work monetarily. So if you haven’t had a raise in a few years or since taking on some new responsibilities, roles or duties, check out these tips and then ask for a meeting with your immediate supervisor.

Do Your Research

First things first, know what the average salary or wage is for your particular role in your area. If you can’t find yours specific, find something close that may have both more and less responsibilities to work off of. It’s almost like doing a comp analysis in real estate…you need to adjust for the differences, but it should give you a good idea of what people are paying. You can’t compare what you’re making in Nashville to what someone’s making in NYC….that just won’t do. So make sure you’re looking apples to apples with cost of living and duties performed. Check out websites like Linkedin, Glassdoor, Salary.com and Payscale.com to get some ideas.

Know Your Value

Now that you know what you could be paid elsewhere for similar duties, don’t forget to think about how you serve your company differently. We all have unique talents and skills and it’s critical here that you know what you bring to the table and that you’re confident in your skills and what you provide.

Review your own performance and tie it to the company’s results. Make a list of all the things you excel at and how the company benefits. Here are some things to think about:

• How is your customer service and/or client retention?

• What are the results of the tasks you’re given?

• What are you like to work with? Do you have a positive attitude? Are you flexible? Are you a team player? Do you help others?

• Are you good at anticipating needs?

• Do you complete tasks both thoroughly and in a timely fashion?

• Have you learned something new recently that added to your value?

• Are you results oriented? Can you provide some examples?

Put Yourself In Your Boss’s Shoes

Next, think about what you would want to hear if you were the boss or supervisor. How would you want to be approached? Would you want your Monday morning interrupted (probably not a good idea!) or would you want to be asked for a meeting at a convenient time? How would you want to be asked and what would you want to hear? Be prepared and use the above answers in the value section to have a reasonable and realistic conversation with your supervisor. Don’t use it as a threat, but rather a topic to show your concern and support for the company.

Visualize Where You Want To Be

Most of the practical stuff is done, now it’s time for what some call “hokey pokey”. But there’s actually a lot of science behind visualization and manifesting your future. I believe so much in the power of the mind that I think this is a critical step to take when you first start thinking about this and decide that it’s time you ask for a raise.

It’s important that you visualize it, but also more important that you believe you belong in that role. Visualization helps that belief by rewiring your brain. This raise may not be directly related to that place, position or person that you want to be, but indirectly it’s going to help you get there. It’s going to be part of your puzzle you’re putting together of yourself. I recently shared this video with a Mel Robbins speech to explain it in full. Watch here.

Roleplay With A Friend

So now you know what you’re asking for and what’s fair, when you’re going to ask for it, some of the things you’re going to say and you can see where you’re going in this company and with your life. Now it’s time to get a little practice in. Role play is sooooo awkward for most of us! Almost no one enjoys it, but it’s used frequently in trainings for a reason. It helps you develop the way you think and get comfortable with a conversation in the most uncomfortable setting you can think of!

Make sure that in your “speech” you relay what you really enjoy about the company, your job and maybe even your supervisor.

If you DO get rejected for that raise, remember that no means not yet. Ask for feedback or a performance review so that you can work on the things they are looking for and then ask your boss how long they would like to see these specific things in action before you can try again. Make sure that they understand that you are looking to continue providing value as an employee and help the company grow. Good luck and I’d love to know how it works for you!