Sometimes, you need to ask for things before they can be given to you. To get a raise at work , you may just need to ask. Asking opens doors of opportunities you never knew existed. You never knew what possibilities lie for you if you don't ask. Forget the fear. Feel the fear and move forward. Here are six deadly mistakes most people make when asking for a raise and how you can avoid them.

#1.Talking about how much you need the money.

#2. Being unrealistic in seeking too much of a raise.

#3. Approaching your boss at the wrong time. I saw a staff of a microfinance bank blindslide her boss in the car park for a raise. Schedule an appointment to negotiate a raise.
Never approach your boss before or after a stressful meeting, The mood your boss is in and the pressure he is under will greatly affect your chances of getting a positive reply.

#4. Expecting your boss to give you a raise as a matter of course. Unless you advertise your worth to the company in some way, your achievements will hardly be recognised.

#5. Pleading, begging on emotional grounds or getting confrontational. Just because your wife just gave birth to twins does not mean your boss is going to give you more money. Prove that you deserve the raise. Companies exist to make cool cash and not for some sort of charity.

#6. I saw a senior staff of a traveling agency threaten to walk out on the company when her request for a raise was turned down. Guess what? She was outrightly fired. You are not indespensable no matter what you may think. Threatening to resign shows a lack of commitment and will not go down well with your superiors.

Note however that one element is key to your success: Timing
Timing refers to the company's policies and procedures in terms of the amount of time between reviews and raises - and when it is acceptable to ask for a raise. Timing also refers to the company's current financial situation as well as the general economic climate.

Obviously, it makes sense to ask for a raise:

*When the company is in good financial standing
*When you have just had a major success



Achieve career success. Get promoted and have your salary raised in three months. Send an email to successconsults@yahoo.co.uk to find out how