Do you think you’re worth more money than you’re making? Maybe it’s time to ask your boss for a raise. Many of us are always reluctant or afraid to ask for a pay hike when it matters.

One of the fastest and easiest ways to increase your income is to ask for a raise. But some men’s palms get clammy just thinking about doing so. Here are five tips on how to ask (and get) the raise you deserve.

1. Just ask

Just like anything in life, you aren’t going to get what you want if you don’t ask for it. It’s the same principal as asking girls out on dates (instead of “hanging out”). You will never make any sales if you don’t make any calls. I am constantly surprised by how many of my friends and coworkers are fearful of asking for a raise because they don’t want to seem ungrateful or are afraid of getting turned down and feeling rejected.

People don’t seem to grasp the concept that you are simply selling a service to your company by being employed with them. That service is your time and your labor. If you’ve been with your company for over 6 months or up to a year and haven’t received any pay adjustments, I’d say just asking will work 75% of the time (if you’re good at your job). Learn these magic words: “I’d like to talk to you about a salary adjustment.”

2. No ultimatums

A big mistake I have heard a few people make when asking for a raise is giving ultimatums to their employers. I can’t stress enough that the workplace is a competitive environment, and while there is nothing wrong with asking for a raise, demanding one can backfire in the worst kind of way. Many managers, faced with this situation, will simply call your bluff.

Obviously if you suck at your job, or the company is losing money hand over fist, you don’t stand a snowballs chance, ultimatum or no ultimatum. If you aren’t yet sure if you are worth more, then read on, as you can do something about that too.

3. Determine your value by job browsing.

It’s always a good idea to keep an eye on what a fair and competitive wage is in your industry. Recruiters and online job websites can be great resources for determining what you can expect to make. Even if you aren’t looking for a new job, check out Monster.com, dice.com, and other job boards (not at work preferably). Find a similar job suited to your talents and send them your resume.

Feel them out, and if given a phone interview, ask for specifics with regard to salary range. If you know you aren’t interested because they’re not paying enough or you’re comfortable with your existing job, be upfront and courteous. Inform the person with whom you’re speaking that you’re happy with your current position (if you are) and be sure to thank them for their consideration. Hopefully you have wasted as little of their time as possible.

Remember that you aren’t indebted to your employer. You entered a business arrangement with them when you were hired. You sell them your time and labor in return for your salary. Shopping around isn’t unethical. It’s good business. Who knows? You might even go on an interview and land a great new gig.

4. Ensure people know your value

Everybody knows the brash and obnoxious “hot-shot” type at work that needs to validate his worth publicly. Everybody resents that person for it too. A real man knows the thin line between confident and cocky. Mastery of this line at work is key to proving your worth to those around you. Just as Teddy Roosevelt was famously quoted, “Speak softly, and carry a big stick, and you will go far.” Instead of trumpeting every small success you have every day, quietly get everything assigned to you done and done well.

When people around you struggle with their work, give them the help they need to get it done, unless of course you work in some ultra-competitive Glengarry Glen Ross type boiler room (Third place is: You’re fired). In that case, get a new job.

Having a “go-to” and “willing to help” attitude has a strange way of uplifting everyone around you. It increases morale and productivity. If your boss or supervisor doesn’t pick up on this and recognize this kind of leadership, get a new job.

5. Increase your value

If you are still having trouble establishing value in your position, consider learning something relevant in your free time. Not everything requires a class or course to be learned. Often times it only takes putting down Call of Duty 4 and reading about the subject. If your employer ever offers optional training or certifications, do not pass up on the opportunity. For example, I was offered an optional training course in Asterisk, an open source PBX (like Linux for phone systems) in 2006. With that course and a bit of tinkering in my free time, I became an authority on the subject. Ever since our company moved our software platform onto Asterisk, I’ve received three separate pay increases. Seriously, do everything you can to improve your worth.

Once you’re sure you have established your value as a go-to guy, it’s time to seek your reward for all that hard work. Without sounding accusatory or argumentative, let your employer know about the successes you’ve had since you’ve been at your current position. Show them projects you have spearheaded and people you have helped. Make sure they know about all the relevant job skills you’ve picked up while working there. If through conversations with others in your industry, you’ve discovered your salary isn’t competitive, let your current employer know. Win them over to your side and you’re almost guaranteed to be earning more.

Source : Arofmanliness

Keep the following tips in mind when discussing salary:

• It is best not to talk about salary prior to an actual offer of employment. An employer, however, may raise the issue early on in the
process, or as a part of the employment offer. If the employer insists on knowing your salary requirements, give a salary range based on careful study of the typical pay ranges for this job, in this particular geographic region.

• Make sure you understand the overall benefit package (e.g., health insurance, vacation, 401(k)/403(b), pension plan, tuition
reimbursement, domestic partner benefits, etc.) and factor this into the total compensation package. A larger salary with no health
benefits may end up costing you more than a lower salary with health benefits. Also, take into consideration what you value. Will you have a short commute? Is the work interesting to you? Will there be opportunity for advancement?

• Know how much you need to make in order to pay your bills (e.g., rent, mortgage, car payment, insurance, student loans, etc.) relative to the location where you will live. Take taxes into consideration. Deduct 22%, on average, from your yearly income to determine your take-home pay. If the job does not pay you enough to live on, and you have no supplemental income, you should think long and hard about accepting the job. Do not volunteer this information to the employer. Student loans, credit card debt, or an expensive car or house payment are not a reason in an employer’s eyes that you should receive a higher salary than someone else. You also do not want them to use the figure as a starting point for your salary discussions, especially if the amount is lower than they are prepared to pay.

• Be positive and flexible during salary negotiations. When surveyed most employers reported that salary negotiations are fine as long as students do not act entitled or rude. Discuss what you can do for the employer (i.e., your skills and experience), not how much money you need to live on.

• Request that the employer put everything in writing: job offer, starting date, salary, benefits, job title, and all other pertinent details. They may be reluctant to honor your request, but it is worth asking. If the employer demurs, send a letter confirming the details of the offer and request any clarification that may be necessary.