Here’s How to Get A Big Raise at Your Job

Think you are deserving of a raise. Not some little $20 per year pat on the head, but a substantial raise that will actually mean more Washingtons in your wallet? Have you asked for the raise?

A research piece that was recently completed found that only 44% of women and 48% of men have ever asked for a raise. But if you ever expect to get one, odds are that you're going to have to ask for it. And the research findings were awesome for those willing to ask. 85% of those willing to pop the question, got the raise!

Once you've developed the intestinal fortitude to look your supervisor in the eye and let your request be known, there are three proven tactics that will help you be successful.

1. You need to make the first offer. That way you give your boss somewhere to work down from. If you let them offer a certain amount, that's what you'll get. It's pretty tough to negotiate up from that point. (Of course you'll need to be reasonable. Should you ask for a 50% raise, common sense should show you how long that conversation will last)

2. Don't use round numbers. For example, instead of saying you want to make $65,000 a year, say 65,600. And justify the weird number however you want to. Maybe it's exactly a 15% raise or something.

A study last year found that if you use a round number like $65,000, there's a good chance they'll cut it way down to another round number, like $60,000. But if you say a weird number like 65,600, they won't cut as much, and might counteroffer with 65,000.

3. Ask for a raise during a big project, not after it's done. A study in 2011 found that managers actually value their employees more during that big project than after it's finished. Even if you did a really good job on it.