At some point in your career you’ll inevitably feel as though you need a bigger paycheck . The question is, how do you go about asking for it? Don’t worry! You’re not the first employee to be in this predicament.

Of course, we can’t think of any company in the world that’s eager to spend more money so you’ll have to be smart about it. Your request needs to be justified.

Keep records and logs of your performance

It seems tedious but it’s always great to have documentation that you can show your employer. Show them how much overtime you’ve put in, or maybe how you contributed directly to the company’s revenue in the last quarter. If you don’t keep records of excellent performance then no one will remind you or offer you more compensation for it automatically.

Know the industry. Know your value.

Do your research and see what similar workers at your level in your industry get. If the trend seems to be that you’re underpaid comparatively it’s a great platform to initiate a difficult conversation from. This will also help you to estimate a number to tell your boss you think is ideal.

Be specific

Show your manager that you done your research, have brought along evidence and can show direct evidence of your contribution to the company’s overall well being. Don’t skimp on the details. Tell them how long it has been since your last salary review and how long you’ve been at the company. Be scientific, not emotional.

Be polite.

Be assertive, not aggressive. This is a conversation, not a demand. Definitely don’t threaten your boss about leaving the company even if you intend to.

Listen to your boss’s feedback

It’s important to remember that this conversation needs to flow both ways. Express your points but be sure to listen to your boss. He may have valid counterpoints to yours.