Negotiation Guide How to Ask For a Raise as an Introvert - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Negotiation Guide How to Ask For a Raise as an Introvert - Introvert Whisperer Negotiation Guide: How to Ask For a Raise as an Introvert Having the ability to be assertive with people who can have a great impact on your career is an important skill. After all, your professional success depends on the capability to get what you deserve. Knowing how to ask for a raise is one of the skills that will help you get what you want and how you communicate with people can be of great help along the way. But did you know that almost 60 percent of Americans report being too afraid to ask for a pay raise? Asking for more money is intimidating for everyone because people don’t know whether they’ll get what they want. They are afraid of seeming too pushy or even losing their job. For introverts, this fear is even bigger as they are naturally quiet and often uncomfortable with the idea of promoting their own achievements. The biggest problem with being too shy to speak up when you think you deserve more is that you often get passed over for opportunities. A lot of introverts stay silent until their fear of missing out on the opportunities becomes bigger than the fear of speaking up. Luckily, you don’t have to wait for that moment. Here are a few things you can do to lower anxiety when negotiating with your manager. Highlight your achievements Introverts find it particularly difficult to recognize their own achievements, especially among those who are louder and more confident. It’s also easy for introverts to get lost in group thinking where their work and ideas become everybody else’s. But when it comes to asking for a raise, it’s important to know what you have done to deserve a raise. The trick is to let the data show your accomplishments. Instead of letting your emotions lead you, try focusing on the facts and give specific examples of when you have gone above and beyond your official role in the company. Prepare yourself to discuss all the times your performance has positively affected the company. While recognizing your contributions can be awkward, it’s worth making a list. Focus only on your own accomplishments and don’t compare to others. That includes resisting the urge to say how unfair it is that your colleagues make more than you. Asking for a raise is all about how much you contribute and not about judging other people. Practice your speech   Introverts tend to let the more dominant people in the room take control of the conversation. That’s why you should know exactly what you are seeking from the management before the meeting even starts. Whatever you do, resist the impulse to accept whatever they offer you just to escape the uncomfortable conversation. Amy Cuddy, an associate professor of business administration at Harvard and a social psychologist, says that by assuming powerful physical positions, you can feel more powerful too. In her TED Talk “Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are,” Amy advises that you stand tall, puff your chest and make yourself look physically powerful. So don’t forget to practice your body language while practicing your speech. Keep it simple   You might feel tempted to start your sentences with something like “I know this seems a bit out of line” just because you are nervous, but the more you apologize for no reason, the more unprofessional you look. Do your research beforehand and show why you are not out of line. Have other people received raises after working at the company the same amount of time you have? Do you know what the appropriate salary range for your position is? Keep in mind that many factors can affect pay, such as your education, experience but also the company location and size. Once you consider all these factors, sit down with your boss, look him or her in the eye and ask for a raise in a few concise and convincing sentences. Make relationships through active listening   Your boss is not the only person you need to convince when it comes to negotiating a raise at work. You also need the support from your colleagues, which means you need to make allies across the company, not just in the management. Often it’s people from different departments that decide the fate of your career, so it’s very important how you build relationships. But making new connections can be intimidating for introverts. Luckily, many introverts have the ability to “actively listen” by asking others questions about themselves. The more you can use this skill, the more you can show how much you care about your colleagues. You also get to know them better which improves the chances that those who are a part of the decision-making process are on your side. Remember that it’s not weird   Your boss knows that it’s part of his or her job to deal with employees asking for a raise or promotion. As long as you request a meeting and maintain a professional tone, your manager will be happy to have a conversation about whatever you might need. Do your homework, prepare your numbers and speech and overcome your fear of sounding too pushy or even greedy. It’s time you get what you deserve. Writer: Tamara Luzajic https://sr.gravatar.com/tamaraluzajic Web content writer and editor, currently working as a copywriter at Humanity, employee scheduling and workforce management software. Go to top NETWORKING Bottom-line â€" I want to help you accelerate your career â€" to achieve what you want by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my 4 Building Blocks to Relationships eBookâ€" the backbone to your Networking success and fantastic work relationships.  Grab yours by visiting here right now! 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