One of the most challenging and nerve wrecking things employees have to face is asking for a raise.

From setting up a meeting with your employer, to preparing and delivering the perfect pitch… the entire process can put majority of us way outside of our comfort zone.

It is no secret that stepping outside of your comfort zone can be scary, but if history has taught us anything, leaving your comfort zone is necessary to achieve success.

“The only thing that is stopping you from where you are to where you want to go is your comfort zone.” – Dhaval Gaudier

This is how you effectively ask for a raise and what you need to be successful in doing so.

Before we get too far into it, let me paint a scenario for you.

So. You have been absolutely killing it at work this year.

You have gone above and beyond with your daily tasks and those new, innovative ideas you have been bringing to the table have been getting awesome feedback.

Your superiors have been feeding you complements, and you feel you have really been standing out amongst your colleagues.

So…. a raise is definitely coming your way, right? Well, not necessarily.

Just because you are doing a good job, doesn’t mean your boss is inclined to go out of her way and hand you more money on silver platter.

Don’t let that discourage you, though. When you want something, sometimes all you have to do is ask for it.

Here are a few tips on what you need to do to get that raise you deserve.

Have an honest recap on your year. Do you really deserve this raise? If you were in your employers’ shoes…. Would you give yourself a raise? (Go ahead and jot down a few notes of why. You will use this in your pitch.)

The biggest failure people face when asking for a raise, is expecting one for simply doing what they were hired to do and nothing more. If you spend your days only doing exactly what you were hired to do and nothing more, there is a chance your employer might not be too keen on the idea of promoting you.

However, if you can show her everything you have accomplished, additional jobs you have taken over, goals you reached, money you saved, successful ideas you pitched, etc.…. You are sitting much better.

Don’t be afraid to show off your SKILLS.

Leverage is the ability to produce a specific result that the company needs.

To be successful in landing that raise, you will want to show your employer everything you have done that set the bar high. Present yourself as a key asset for the company.

Remind them what you bring to the table, how you help the company reach their goals, accomplish necessary tasks, and more.

Know your worth and be confident in how great you are.

Don’t show up empty handed and be ready for questions.

Impress your boss by putting together a portfolio or brief presentation of your year. Include milestones, additional tasks you took on, your aspirations within the company, etc. This will show how serious you are and reflect positively on you.

Come with a number in mind. If you want a raise, how much do you want? Why do you feel you deserve this? Be prepared to answer these questions and don’t hold back from showing you have done your research.

Confidently specify the increase you would like, either in dollars or percentage.

Not sure what to ask for? Look into what other companies are paying for similar jobs. Another great way to come up with a number is asking a mentor what they think is fair. It is always good getting a second opinion or some trusted advice on anything business related.

You might be asking for a raise for a few reasons. Maybe your rent increased, or you entered a financial hardship, whatever it is, remember to keep it to yourself.

Keep the mood and energy of the meeting positive and professional. Focus on your work, the success you had, your accomplishments, etc.

Always stay professional!

The key to winning over your manager starts with the tone of the meeting and the relationship.

Show them that you respect their time by getting straight to the point.

Be honest with your statistics and don’t hold back. This is your time to show off how great you are, take advantage of every minute!

Above all things, be confident when presenting. It can be scary, but confidence is one of the most admirable traits. Wear something that you feel comfortable in, have a firm handshake, and make eye contact when speaking directly to someone.

If you get nervous and shaky, don’t be afraid to pause, take a deep breath, regroup, then continue. Remember, they have been in your exact spot at one point in their life too. It’s a learning experience, so go ahead and have fun with it.

Lastly, remember to start and end the meeting thanking them for their time and consideration. People like to be appreciated.

Staying honest with your work, confident in your proposal, fully prepared and have the meeting in a focused direction, will help you get where you are looking to go.

For more insight, a good start would be the book, “How To Win Friends and Influence People”

Good luck!