smart ways to ask your employer for a salary increment

Remain objective and focused:Be succinct with details while highlighting your accomplishments and overall contribution to the company. It would be helpful if you have kept a record of your progress and contributions for reference at such a time.

Persuade rather than coerce:  When making your case, be persuasive but not confrontational. If an offer is presented and you know it is low, consider the figure you want to counter it with. What are you willing to settle for? Your goal is to sway your manager into giving you the raise, or at least to get him to think about doing so.

Be persistent but know when to back off: If your manager refuses to budge, perhaps he has good reason to do so - try bargaining for other benefits - extra leave and flexible work arrangements, for instance. And if a raise is not possible at the moment, ask your manager what you can do to acquire a certain skill for the next pay increment or promotion. Your ultimate aim is to create a win-win situation.

n Know the lingo: Experience and education are the two important factors that can influence your pay.

More experience means it is easier for you to ask for a raise. Less experience means fewer unique skills, which leaves little room for negotiation.

Meanwhile, the quality of education can have an impact your pay increase. Professional associations and certifications as well as performance reviews can help ramp up your pay.

Therefore, before accepting an offer, make sure you have a solid grasp of the value of any bonus or incentive-pay aspects of your package.

Bet smart - find out what is the right amount: It is crucial to know what you are worth before you start pushing for more. But admittedly, it is tricky to name a specific figure because you do not wish to disqualify yourself or sell yourself short.

The best option is to state a salary range that reflects your current or targeted salary. This approach would give the hiring manager or your manager something to react to and make room for negotiation.