Unless you’re a natural wheeler and dealer, you’re probably like most people: you hate salary negotiations. But, as one of the leading employment agencies in Sacramento, California, Pacific Staffing can tell you if you want a pay raise, then salary negotiations are a reality of your situation.

In order to ensure you don’t leave money on the table in the process, here are a few quick tips to consider before sitting down with your boss at the negotiating table:

Request a raise.

This sounds so simple and yet so many employees don’t go ahead and ask for a raise. They sit around and wait for their employer to offer one, growing frustrated and angry as time goes on.

But guess what? Your employer doesn’t want to spend more money on you…unless you ask and make the case for why you deserve it. So if you don’t request a raise, then don’t expect to get one any time soon.

Persist with your boss.

Don’t let your boss deny you the opportunity to speak to them about salary. If they keep cancelling the meeting to discuss the issue or just tell you “no” without letting you make your case or giving a good reason, then persist. If you are truly not earning what you are worth, then you deserve some of your boss’s time to tell them why.

Be direct.

One of the biggest mistakes that employees make when asking for a raise is by couching the “ask” in weak and negative language like “I’m not sure if raises are in the budget this year, but…” or “I hate to ask for a raise in salary, but…”

Instead, be confident and direct with your boss about what you’re asking for and why. If there’s no money in the budget for raises, your boss will surely let you know.

Ask for a little more.

If you’re making $50k, you shouldn’t walk into the boss’s office asking for a six-figure salary. However, if you think you’re worth a 5% raise – and you have the numbers to back it up – then ask for a little more than that.

Many managers, though certainly not all, will typically come back with a salary that’s lower than your original ask. As a result, you’re giving your manager a little wiggle room, while at the same time, landing the salary you really want.

Also, if you’re told that there’s no room in the budget for a raise in salary, then try to negotiation other additional perks – like extra vacation days. Again, when doing so, you need to be in a position where you can truly show the value you bring each day and why you deserve extras.

Ready to promote yourself to a new opportunity?

If your current employer isn’t paying you what you’re worth and you’re ready for a better opportunity, give Pacific Staffing a call. As one of the leading employment agencies in Sacramento, California, we’re always on the lookout for smart, dependable and qualified people to put to work in great opportunities.

Contact us today to learn more.