5 things you should never say when asking for a raise

5 things you should never say when asking for a raiseIn the world of work, there are few situations mora anxiety-provoking than asking for a raise. Summoning the courage to confront your boss and ask for more money can prove daunting for even the most confident of employeesits just something wed prefer to have happen to us rather than having to proactively go after it. googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1467144145037-0) ) In reality, there are times when youll need to take the first step towards securing a raise if you want to make it happen, which means youll have to initiate the discussionand there are certainly some approaches you should avoid if you want it to work out in your favor. When the time comes for you to ask for a raise, be sure to avoid the following five conversation pitfalls1. Its not fairThis conversation red flag implies that you think youre being unfairly treated and it could be interpreted that you think your boss isnt doing a great job o fwellbeing your boss. Your goal during a productive raise conversation should be to demonstrate your value to the company, not to vent about how badly you think youre being treatedwhether its true or not.2. Ive worked here for X yearsThis is a common raise conversation mistake and typically never leads to a convincing argument that a raise is well deserved. Although a work anniversary is a common time to have a performance review where raises often get discussed, in reality your years of service dont automatically translate into perceived value for your employer.Your specific contributions to the company you work for, and how they contribute to the bottom line, is the key here, and should be the focus of your raise conversationnot the fact that youve simply been showing up for a certain number of years (no matter how long it has been). While company loyalty is commendable, unless its specified in the terms of your hiring agreement it doesnt mean a raise is in order.3. I know someone here who makes way more than meThis is never a good topic to bring to your bosss attention, inside or outside of a raise conversation. Discussing salaries with coworkers is typically frowned up by employees and could lead to unintended punitive actions. Furthermore, it does little to demonstrate your personal value as an employeein fact, it could make you seem petty or bitter, which will not likely help your case.4. If I dont get the raise I want Im leavingAdopting an adversarial tone rarely works out well in any negotiation, let alone while making a case for why you deserve a raise. Simply put, its menschenfreundlich nature to feel threatened when given an ultimatum such as this. Do you want to move forward in your relationship with your boss on this footing? At best, youll get your raise with a side order of negative feelings and resentment for your tactless approach, and at worst they might just take the other option and show you the door5. You need me more than I need youSee pi tfall 4. Once again, this contentious approach is the opposite of how you should proceed in a raise conversation and will likely have the opposite effect of what youre aiming for. A surefire way to get on your bosss bad side is to tell them that they need you more than you need them, and they may even take the opportunity to prove you wrong by letting you gonot exactly the result youre aiming for, is it?Your raise conversation is a classic show, not tell momentshowcase your value to the company with real measurable data and quantifiable evidence and youll have a much better shot at getting that raise than merely telling your boss that youre great and theyre not.Heres the bottom lineif youre planning on initiating a raise conversation with your boss, plan for it as you would any other persuasive presentation. Come equipped with a list of convincing, undeniable evidence that demonstrates why youre worth a salary increasenot why you feel entitled to one and upset why it hasnt happened yet. Many bosses are bottom line thinkers, and if you can make a case that highlights your value to their bottom line, then youve put yourself in the best possible position to get the raise youre aiming for. And if you hear yourself saying any of the five conversation pitfalls mentioned here, act htte nicht viel gefehlt and pivot the conversation quickly