How To Negotiate Like A Pro With Your Boss
Copyright 2006 Mary Greenwood
Negotiating with your boss can be a little tricky because
you are not on equal footing. Since there is always the
chance there could be repercussions for speaking out, an
employee usually won’t tell his boss what he is really
thinking. Anyway, let’s assume that you want to get a raise
or a promotion. Here are some of the rules you can use to
negotiate with your boss.
1. Focus On The Goal; Don’t be Distracted By Emotions.
It is especially important not to let your emotions
interfere with a request to your boss. If you are angry
because you were passed over for a promotion or did not get
the raise you think you deserved, it is not a good idea to
immediately go to your boss’s office and demand a meeting.
You will appear to be out of control, which you probably
are, and the boss will probably be glad he made the
decision he did.
2. Know What You Want and Know What You’re Worth.
It is very important that you know what you want when you
speak with your boss about a wage increase or any other
benefit. If the boss asks you, “How much do you want?†you
need to have an answer rehearsed. This is not a time to
hesitate unless your are caught completely off-guard. Be
careful with the figure that you give him. Don’t make it
too little so that you kick yourself later for not asking
for more. Don’t make it too much so the boss thinks that
you are greedy and unrealistic. If you are asked why you
deserve the raise, do not say, “I don’t know.†This needs
to be rehearsed so that you can give a reasoned answer any
time any place.
3. Have A Plan B.
If you have your heart set on getting a raise or promotion,
you still need to have a Plan B. First you have to decide
whether you are going to stay in the position anyway or
start looking for a new job if you don’t get the raise or
promotion. Even if you decide that you are going to look
for a new job, don’t be too quick to quit the old job.
However, you may want to look at your current job in a new
light so that whatever new experience you get should help
you prepare for a new job.
4. Never Give Or Take No For An Answer.
Your boss may tell you right away that you are not getting
a promotion or raise. If you accept that you are not
getting it, then that is the end of the meeting. Perhaps
you can suggest some alternatives. If you don’t get the
raise, perhaps you can at least get a title change. Maybe
you can get the extra duties but get the raise in three
months? Maybe you could get extra vacation days instead of
a raise? There are endless possibilities. If you suggest
some alternatives to your boss, perhaps one will stick. If
your boss still says no, then you may need to go to Plan B
5. Walk Away.
There may be instances where you decide that you have to
just walk away. If the boss is not willing to give you the
raise you thought you deserved, you may decide that this is
not the boss or company you want to work for anymore. Just
make sure this decision is not made in haste while you are
still angry about your boss’s decision. If you do walk
away, have a plan so you know how you will proceed. It is
the conventional wisdom that it is harder to find a job
when you no longer have one. Give yourself some time to
make this final decision. You do not want to come into your
boss’ office on Monday and beg for your job back. You would
not be in a position of strength. If you do walk away, be
sure you have thought it through.
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Mary Greenwood, J.D., LL.M: Arbitrator, Mediator, Author of
How to Negotiate like a Pro, 41 Rules for Resolving
Disputes Order at http://www.barnesandnoble.com or
http://www.amazon.com or http://www.booksamillion.com ;
Email me at: Howtonegotiate@aol.com. Visit
http://www.Howtonegotiatelikeapro.com or
http://www.Marygreenwood.com
