Don't be aggressive.

Forbes: How to Get a Raise When They’re Not Handing Them Out

Be diplomatic, well-prepared and assertive, but not aggressive. “The squeaky (not screechy) wheel gets the grease,” says Taylor.

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The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

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How to Get a Rai... By Jacquelyn Smith

Think you deserve a bigger paycheck? Want to ask for a raise but not sure you’ll get one?

Plenty of employees are finding themselves in this predicament, because many recession-wary companies that stopped handing out raises during the economic downturn are still hesitant to open their wallets today. But career experts say that despite all the penny-pinching, a salary hike isn’t necessarily out of the question–so you might as well ask.

“Clearly most companies today are not looking for opportunities to hand out money,” says Lynn Taylor, a national workplace expert and author of Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant. “During the boom era of the late ’90s when talent was scarce and retention was top of mind, nearly the opposite was true. While the corporate landscape is different now, you shouldn’t sit idly and feel dissatisfied in silence. If you have supportive evidence your salary is at sub-market levels, you should speak up.”

She says it is possible to get a raise, even in an environment where money isn’t exactly falling from trees. “Your organization has invested time and money in you. Savvy bosses understand that unhappy and underpaid employees are under-performing employees, which helps no one. It’s a drain on their time to have to re-hire and train a replacement that fits the corporate culture. So if you have a legitimate request, you do have a certain amount of leverage.”

(Photo via Forbes)

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Know your value. Do the proper research to figure out what you’re worth, even if it means going on interviews or using resources like Getraised.com, Payscale.com, or Glassdoor.com, says Connie Thanasoulis-Cerrachio, a career expert and co-founder of SixFigureStart, a career coaching firm. If you find out you’re underpaid, you can use that to negotiate an increase. “Look at salary surveys, cost-of-living comparisons, and rates of compensation within your organization, if possible,” says Dr. Katharine Brooks, director of Liberal Arts Career Services at The University of Texas at Austin and author of You Majored in What? Mapping Your Path from Chaos to Career. “If you are aware that colleagues are earning more than you, tread carefully. You don’t want to put others in a negative light or violate a corporate written or unwritten rule about knowing what others earn. Simply present what the field generally pays, and why you believe your performance is at the top of your field.”

(Photo via Forbes)

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Know the number. Once you do the research, figure out what you think is a fair amount of money to ask for, says Thanasoulis-Cerrachio. “Have that number in your head when you ask for a raise.”

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Schedule a meeti... Find a time that works best for you and your boss, Thanasoulis-Cerrachio says. Taylor adds, “Give your boss a head’s up that you want to chat about your career growth so that you both have ample time.”

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Practice salary ... This can be a difficult or awkward conversation. Practice with a friend who can be a tough negotiator, Thanasoulis-Cerrachio says.

(Photo via Forbes)

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Start on a posit... Taylor suggests kicking off the conversation with something like, "I really enjoy working here and find my projects very challenging. In the last year, I've been feeling that the scope of my work has expanded quite a bit. I believe my roles and responsibilities, and my contributions have risen. I'd like to discuss with you the possibilities of reviewing my compensation.”Or, "I'd like to discuss my career and how I can do my best work."

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Say you know tha... Anita Attridge, a Five O’Clock Club career and executive coach, says, “Make the case of why you should be an exception to this policy. This will need to focus on the results you have achieved for the company.”

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State your case,... Listen to what your manager has to say. “Give it your best case for why you should get a raise,” says Thanasoulis-Cerrachio. “Never use idol threats or mislead an employer to think you have an outside offer. Make your case based on your research and the results of your work. The worst they can say is no.” Depending on the response, gauge how much detail you now need and how much back up support you require, Taylor says.

(Photo via Forbes)

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Be specific. Give your boss a range for the raise you want, and explain why. “Be prepared to say, ‘After a lot of research, which I have here if you'd like to see it at some point, and how I feel I have contributed to the company, I would ask for you to consider an increase of $5,000 to $7,000. It has been ___ (time) since my salary was last reviewed. I greatly appreciate your consideration,” Taylor says.

(Photo via Forbes)

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Bring your perso... Bring a list of your key achievements, and focus specifically on the areas of accomplishment that are important to your manager, Attridge says. “Bring up your strengths and talents, your accomplishments, your desire to do even more, and your ideas and plans for the future in your role at the organization,” Brooks adds.

(Photo via Forbes)

More from Forbes:
Unusual Jobs That Pay Surprisingly Well
How to Be the One Who Gets the Promotion
Is Your Body Language Costing You a Promotion?

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
Don't be aggress... Be diplomatic, well-prepared and assertive, but not aggressive. “The squeaky (not screechy) wheel gets the grease,” says Taylor.

(Photo via Forbes)

More from Forbes:
Unusual Jobs That Pay Surprisingly Well
How to Be the One Who Gets the Promotion
Is Your Body Language Costing You a Promotion?

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
More from Forbes Click here to see the rest of the steps toward snagging a raise.