3 Times You Should Ask for More

3 Times You Should Ask for More3 Times You Should Ask for MoreIn one of my first jobs, I worked with a super sharp woman who was responsible for business development. Her favorite adage was Dont ask, dont get.With that simple phrase, she taught me that its OK for people to say no to you- in fact, it happens all the time- but if you dont ask, you dont even have a chance.This is a particularly valuable lesson when it comes to your salary. I know- talking about money is never easy, and its certainly not always appropriate. But no matter how much you love your job, the end goal of any career is usually a paycheck. So if you want to make sure youre getting what you deserve, you need to get comfortable talking about your earnings- and knowing when to ask for more.Now, Im not suggesting that your salary should be at the center of every discussion, but there are a few key situations when you should definitely speak up. To make the most of your career (and salary), be on the lookout for behau ptung three negotiating opportunities.When Its ExpectedWhen you receive an initial job offer, negotiating for the salary you deserve isnt just acceptable- its expected. So if you accept without having that discussion, theres a good chance youre shorting yourself.And if youre a woman, this is especially important to keep in mind You may already be aware of the gender discrepancy in salaries between men and women, but you may not know that it often starts the day an offer is made. Men are much more likely to negotiate prior to accepting a job, while women tend to graciously accept the given offer without discussion.And it doesnt stop there- this also happens during yearly reviews, even though these meetings are typically prime time for salary discussions. In my experience, Ive found that for every person who accepts that yearly feedback without a word, theres someone who manages to get a pay raise, too. Why? Because they ask.Since the conversation will likely cover your growth and con tributions from the past year, you can easily use those accomplishments to start a conversation about why you deserve a salary increase.When Theres a Window of OpportunityJobs are fluid. Responsibilities expand, co-workers move on, and promotions are awarded- any number of things can happen to change your day-to-day routine. And if youre paying attention, these can be great opportunities to ask for a raise.Years ago, when I was first managing people, a new hire was placed on my team. After a hefty signing bonus, her take-home salary for the year ended up being greater than mine. And that seemed pretty unfair- I knew that the signing bonus was necessary to attract great talent, but what was the company doing to retain great talent?I decided to discuss the situation with my anfhrer by presenting the facts My job had grown, I consistently delivered results, and Id been told time and again that I was a high performer. I told my boss that I believed all of these things- as well as the fa ct that Id now be managing a less experienced employee who was earning more than me- added up to a raise.Sure, it was scary to ask for what I wanted, but I went for it- and to my delight, she said, I think what youre saying makes sense let me call HR. And the next day, my salary was adjusted accordingly. Andin addition to a raise, the discussion paid other dividends The conversation created an opportunity to remind my boss that I was a high performer who should be taken seriously.Of course, getting a new direct report isnt the only signal that your job is expanding. Be aware of other opportune times to think (and talk) about a change in salary, like when a co-worker leaves and you inherit her responsibility, or when your boss assigns you a project that significantly contributes to your companys growth.Even When Youve Just Received a RaiseEarly in my career, I managed a young woman who had served in the Peace Corps for two years, spent two more years running a successful nonprofit, a nd had an MBA- in short, she was a star. And my company recognized it, too she received a raise and a year-end bonus of $10,000. As youd expect, she was incredibly thankful for that chunk of change, and wasnt about to question the companys generosity by asking for more.But I was quick to pull her aside and tell her otherwise. Because surprisingly, in a situation like this, simply saying thank you may not be the most beneficial response. Instead, use it as an opportunity to dig in and do some research Where does this amount rank relative to the bonuses at similar positions in other companies? Is it appropriate for your level of experience and contributions to the team?In this employees case, the bonus was appropriate, but the corresponding salary adjustment wasnt. That knowledge bolstered her negotiating power when she was promoted a few months later.Once you know the answers to these questions, youll be in a much better position to assess whether or not youre getting paid appropriat ely- and that can serve as the perfect jumping-off point to negotiate your salary adjustment even further.In a later conversation with that saatkorn employee, she told me that from our discussion that day, she learned how important it was not to have blind faith that an organization would take care of her. She learned that she alone was responsible for her own destiny- and that empowered her to ask for (and get) what she deserved in future salary conversations.Getting a raise certainly isnt easy. But when you know your value and can recognize opportunities to negotiate, youll find that its a lot easier to ask for what you deserve.Photo of woman negotiating courtesy of Shutterstock.