How to get a pay rise

Tips for asking for a pay rise.

It might sound silly, but to have any chance at all of getting a pay rise, you need to be doing your job well.

Employers are not fond of handing over cash at the best of times, so they certainly won't shell out even a modicum of extra money to someone who is regularly late or drunk or spends too much work time online comparing the relative merits of MasterChef and Australia's Got Talent.

Before you approach your boss, do your research and make a list. What do others in a comparable role or level to you earn? Note how long you've been on your current pay (less than a year might be pushing it). Think about where you've saved the company money and what tasks you do now that weren't in your original job description - supervision of others or weekend work, for example. Add these to your list, along with where you'd like to see your job going in the future.

Make a time with your boss when you know you'll have his or her full attention. Explain your existing salary, how long you've been on it, why it is no longer sufficient, and what extra tasks you now do. Then outline how you'd like to see the role grow so you can show you are worth the extra money.

Don't be stroppy or rude; just ask them to consider what you've said and when they can get back to you (so they have time to think).

Fingers crossed!