You Must Earn Your Raise

Don't Ask a Yes-or-No Question When Asking for a Raise

Yesterday we mentioned that Suze Orman, author of The Money Class: Learn to Create Your New American Dream says you should not automatically expect to get an annual raise simply because of the amount of time you have worked at a job,  but to earn your raise by making yourself essential to your employers.

When it is time to ask for a raise, know all your accomplishments, exactly how you have contributed, and you have delivered specifically. Be the Best Nanny Newsletter and other nanny industry experts recommend parents and nannies base raises on job performance.

At a bare minimum nannies must ensure they arrive to work on time, are reliable, self-motivated, communicate clearly, demonstrate good judgment, and maintain confidentiality of family private matters.

Parents also must consider if the nanny has shown appropriate attention to child safety, child hygeine, appropriate play and activities, preparation of nutritous meals, and if the nanny disciplines consistent with parents' wishes.

Other duties parents look for in a nanny with a good attitude is a caregiver that is willing to wipe-up messes, wash and fold the children's laundry, and light pick-up of the children's area.

If you cannot say you have accomplished the above basic nanny job expectations it might not be the right time to ask for a raise. Once you consistently accomplish the minimum of tasks and skills listed above and more, you could consider asking for a raise.

Orman suggests you be tactical and frame the converstion by making your expectations clear. You need to decide what you want. Let's say you want a five percent raise, when you are sitting with your boss, start the conversation by saying, "Given my time I've devoted to your family, my flexibility to pitch-in when needed, I would like you to consider a raise of five or 10 percent."

Orman suggests making the amount you want the lower of the two choices. Then, do not make the two offers no more than five percentage points apart. Ormans explains the rule is to never ask a yes-or-no question, because if your boss says no there's there is nothing else you can say.

Orman explains, "When you walk in and say you want a raise of five or 10 percent, you have just shifted the conversation about whether you deserve a raise to how big a raise you deserve."

Tomorrow: Change your attitude before you change your job.