Asking for a salary increase can be incredibly daunting particularly if you are new to negotiating.

There are three steps you can take to make the process less of a concern.

1. Research
When negotiating a salary increase it is essential that you are prepared, as a lack of research can result in a negative outcome.

Research how much you are actually worth and understand how much someone else in your position is getting paid so that you can ask for a reasonable increase.

In the current market, managers are more accepting of a 3-5 per cent uplift when negotiating salaries with their employees.

Your employer may try to decrease the pay rise you request, so to combat that, it’s worth asking for a little more than you genuinely want, giving you a little room to negotiate.

There are many different ways to research what people are earning in your field, such as looking at salary guides through Google, speaking to a trusted colleague or a recruiter who specialises in your sector.

2. Preparation

Preparation is key in successfully conveying to your boss why you deserve an increased salary.

To negotiate a pay rise from a strong position, you must clearly quantify the value you add to the company and a good time to ask would be after a period where you have delivered excellent results.

Before going into the meeting, you should have noted down any recent training or qualifications, times you have gone above and beyond, as well as factual figures on your performance such as increase in profit, productivity etc.

Compiling this list will help you present yourself as a serious asset to the company and will be great leverage in your negotiations.

3. Delivery

It is important to give your employer plenty of notice that you are wanting to meet so they are not ambushed.

You should also rehearse your key points to a partner or even a mirror, so you don’t rush into the meeting all guns blazing.  

Salary negotiations aren't personal, so be sure to avoid looking at them in that way.

Be calm, maintain eye contact, sit up straight, and being firm in the meeting.

Whilst it is important to deliver your points, it is important that you listen to any rebuttal as well.

Emphasise that you do not want an answer on the spot- you appreciate they need time to think it over.

If you complete all of these 3 essential steps, you will be in a good position to negotiate a salary increase.

You should also be aware that your manager is looking after the business’s bottom line and the answer may be a ‘no’.

If it is a ‘no’, then you should be able to request an interim performance review with clearly defined goals and salary adjustment before your next annual review.

You can also ask for additional benefits, such a company car or flexible working arrangements, which would result in a win-win situation.  

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