Ask the Business Coach Joyce K. Reynolds is an expert Business Coach who works with CEOs, Sr. Execs, entrepreneurs and countless others providing knowledge, solutions, motivation and support that assist her clientele in successfully meeting workplace challenges. Find out more about Joyce's coaching practice. Asking for a Raise Question: I have devoted all my time in the company, and I have made very good contribution to company also, but my salary didn't matching what I have done to the company, I want to write a good letter to my boss to tell them that I should have be paid the amount as I deserved, I am really unpaid for my job, please help me and tell me how to write a convincing email. Jack Answer: While you might be dissatisfied with the level of your salary, the first thing to realize is that few companies offer unsolicited pay increases. You'll also want to keep in mind that compensation is based not on what you want or need, but on the value of your work to the organization. Therefore, preparing yourself for a discussion on the subject of a raise means lining up important facts that will support your request. Regarding the method of delivery, unless you manager is located out of town, it would be more effective for you to arrange a meeting to discuss your salary issue rather than send a letter or e-mail. In advance of such a meeting, prepare a written document that clearly describes your job with the company. State your accomplishments and, if applicable, present yourself as a person who goes above and beyond your responsibilities, finds solutions, helps others and increases the company's profitability. If you are making money or saving money for your employer, detail that fact with actual dollar amounts, improved numbers or percentages. If you play a role in business development, document your accomplishments and present them in financial terms that clearly highlight your value to the company's bottom-line. If your research indicates that a position similar to yours is paid at a higher rate in the general marketplace, you will want to be able to present this fact with substantiation. Also, before you meet with your manager, establish a realistic financial objective for yourself so you can be clear on the exact amount of the raise you are seeking and why it is justified. Set an appointment time with your supervisor to talk about your salary objective. It's smart to let that person know when making the appointment that you will be opening a discussion on the subject of your compensation so he or she can also be prepared for the meeting. Accept the fact that, while you might feel entirely justified in requesting a raise, you, like many others, may still feel intimidated by having to ask your supervisor for more money. It's important to know and face this possibility so that your method of discussing this request is not at all defensive or overly-aggressive. Either attitude could easily reduce the chances of getting what you want, even present the risk of losing ground if you appear to be angry or unreasonable. Instead, prepare to maintain your focus on presenting a persuasive case that demonstrates how your employer has specifically benefited from your hard work and skills and why your pay should reflect that through an increase. You will also want to be sensitive to your company's policies and perspectives as this will help you negotiate a pay raise within realistic management and budgetary parameters. If, for example, your supervisor may believe your case is justified but does not have the authority to single-handedly grant your raise, you'll want to talk from a point of preparing that person to successfully take your request to a higher level. Finally, be prepared to negotiate. If you can't immediately get the raise you believe you deserve, ask for a six-month review, additional perks or some other concessions. The most important thing to do is remind your company that you are a valued employee who really appreciates his position so that they are willing and happy to compensate you to stay on in an improved situation. Also see: • Ask Joyce your workplace questions • More questions • One-on-one business coaching Disclaimer: The information in this column is intended to provide the reader with general ideas or concepts to be used as part of a broader base of knowledge they collect to determine their own best course of action and solutions most suitable for solving their workplace challenges. The information in this column is not guaranteed to be the appropriate solution for each individual.