As an employee, you expect growth in your career as well as your income. But this, apparently, doesn’t just happen. There is need to put in effort but also, voicing your needs is as important. 

Although some people are brave enough to face their employers for a salary increment, others are afraid to speak up, hence continue working for the same amount even when their skills qualify them for a salary increment.

A study done by Linda Babcock for her book ‘Women kjDon’t Ask’ revealed that only about 7 per cent of women attempted to negotiate their first salary, while 57 per cent of men did. Of those people who negotiated, they were able to increase their salary by over 7 per cent.

Whether male or female, a few factors come in handy when negotiating for a pay raise;

Experts say that it is imperative to know your value first, for instance, through doing research on how much people in your domain earn. 

In his book, "I Will Teach You to Be Rich”, Ramit Sethi highlights that if you walk into a salary negotiation without a number, you’re at the mercy of an experienced hiring manager who can simply control the conversation.

According to the Balance Careers, prepare a one to two-page summary of your accomplishments, to highlight the reasons you have earned a salary increase. Then, during your meeting, you will verbally ask for a raise. No need for a long statement. You will want to open up the conversation, mention your accomplishments, and then ask for a raise. 

For Ruth Imbabazi, a business manager, although it’s a smart idea to request a raise, the focus should be based on business motivations, and not personal factors.

Imbabazi says that before you prepare for a raise negotiation, you should decide whether it is the perfect time, and that you should have been at your job for at least six months, preferably a year or more.

Talk to your boss while he or she is in their best mood. If they are stressed or busy planning for a presentation or an event, chances are they won’t pay attention to your request, or you might even get a negative response, she carries on.

"Go ahead and request for a raise if the company is doing well financially and you have recently taken on more responsibility or even a new position.

"Consider the right state of the company; if the company is growing, then cogitate asking for a raise. However, if the company is making loses, or is stagnant in growth, it isn’t the right time for such a conversation.”

"But also, if the company is growing at a slow pace, then you also need to be sincere and not ask for a higher amount. Do your research and know where the company stands,” she states.

The business manager stresses that bringing up your specific accomplishments that helped the company achieve its goals would be the best way to start. Showing your supervisor how your efforts assisted the company to grow can maybe earn you a raise.

No matter how the negotiation turns out, don’t lose your calm. If you don’t get what you want, act calmly, respectfully, and professionally. Appreciate your boss for hearing you out, and leave it at that, she adds.

Experts say that good negotiators will enter a meeting with a range of options. Think about non-pay alternatives if the opportunity to negotiate salary is limited. Support for education and training or flexible hours are potential alternatives to financial incentives. The job might offer a clear promotion path or the opportunity to review pay in three to six months, you can consider these alternatives as part of your salary negotiation.