We all strive to be successful on our jobs. One thing that employees complain about is the pay. When the position you are in becomes inundated with extra duties, it may be time to ask your boss for a raise.

There are several reasons to ask for a raise. Your job may have been transferred to another area where the cost of living is higher. You may have taken on extra duties that you feel deserve more money. Your co-workers may be getting paid the same but you are doing more work. You may have taken the initiative to further your job skills through training classes or another degree.

No matter what the reason for the request, know how to approach the situation. Don’t turn the request into a threat or a confrontation. If your boss thinks that you are being antagonistic, you may end up without the job you have right then.

Do your homework. If you have relocated and you need a cost of living increase, get some figures. Show how the cost of living in the new city compares with the cost of living where you came from. Learn the average salary for the job that you do in the new location. This will give you an idea of how much money to ask for.

Make sure that you have everything you need to state your case when you set up a meeting with your boss. Keep the conversation professional. Don’t beat around the bush, but get straight to the point.

Know what type of sum you want and ask for it. Your boss will probably ask you why you think you deserve such an increase. This is when you present your case through carefully researched findings.

As a last resort mention that other companies in the area are paying more. If you mention this fact, make sure that you have been in contact with these companies about job openings and the possibility of other employment. Do not threaten your boss, but let them know, as a courtesy, that other companies are interested in you.

The bottom line: you won’t get anything if you don’t try. If the argument is convincing enough, you will get your raise or other benefits that are commensurate. Don’t feel sad or rejected if the raise is not readily forthcoming. You have stated your case and can now decide what the next move will be on your part.

Asking for a raise does not have to be a scary situation. Be prepared ahead of time. The more information you obtain, the more confident you will be going into a meeting with your boss.

More Resources:

Grab your Guide to Family Budgeting – Step-by-step guide to help you establish a workable budget.

Many employees today wish that they could cut back on their hours. The need for a change could be due to family reasons or just a change of scenery. If your family is in agreement, don’t be afraid to approach your boss and have a chat.

Cutting back on hours in the office means that someone else will have to do the work that you are not able to do. Your job position has to be one that can easily accommodate a shift in work schedules. If your office is already overworked, you will need a convincing argument to get your boss to give the idea a go.

An employee that is late for work, over the time limit at lunch, or leaves early will not be a candidate for special privileges. Your work ethic says a lot about you as a person. Someone who is viewed as reliable, trustworthy, and responsible is an asset to the company.

Do your homework. The first question your boss may ask is, “Who is supposed to take up the slack when you cut your hours back?” Have an answer ready for him/her.

Come up with a business proposal. Free templates are available online to give you an idea of what you need to include. Clearly define your intentions-to cut back on hours and go part-time. For most companies, part-time status is less than thirty-two hours a week. If your intention is to cut a whole day from your schedule, decide how you can best manage this and include it in your proposal.

Look for statistics that demonstrate your point of view. Workers may work harder if they work longer hours. This could be an argument for working ten hour days instead of the standard eight.

Include a record of your work performance since you came to the company. If you are consistently turning out more work each day than is expected, this shows that you manage your time well. This is also an asset in your favor.

Even with all of your ducks in a row, the process from idea to reality could take a while. Don’t fret. When the time comes to sit down with your boss, state your case and present your supporting proposal. Let your work speak for itself. If push comes to shove, you may need to take a position with another company.

Asking your boss for changes is never easy. As long as you do your homework, you have nothing to fear on your part. Understand that your request may not be granted overnight, but as long as you try, there is always a chance.

More Resources:

Grab your Guide to Family Budgeting – Step-by-step guide to help you establish a workable budget.

So, here you are again. For whatever reason, you are back in the market for a job. The first thing to do is get your resume together for prospective employers. As you write your resume, how should you handle employment gaps? Here are a few suggestions.

Resumes are designed to give employers a sense of your qualifications for a particular job. The perfect resume should be one page in length and easy to read, with personal, work, and education information under separate headings. This piece of paper is an interviewer’s first impression of you.

Gaps in work history can occur for any number of reasons. An illness in the family that required you to leave your place of employment would not be explained in your resume. A company lay-off is an example of unemployment that is out of your control. In a lot of cases, termination on the part of the employer is the reason for the employment gap. Finding new work in your respective field may not be instant, so the gap could be as little as a few months or as much as a year or more.

The first thing not to do is become nervous. An employer will ask about the gap simply because it is very visible on a well-prepared resume. Don’t go into an interview with preconceived notions about what the employer is thinking. Wait until you are asked about the length of unemployment instead of volunteering information.

A gap in employment history does not mean that you won’t get hired for the job. Remember that your application interested them, which is why you are getting an interview in the first place. Relax and breathe deeply. When you are asked, answer the question in as few words as possible. Detail about the situation is not important. If you want, rehearse your response ahead of time to make sure that you are not overstating the event.

For those who are currently out of work, fill the time by staying current in your chosen field. Taking classes at the local college in a new aspect of your field will keep you updated on new technologies. Visit websites affiliated with your area of expertise and read up on new issues. Subscribe to magazines and newsletters put out by organizations associated with your field. This information can be added to your resume under a new heading.

Gaps in your resume are not an interview nightmare so don’t act like it. Keep a level head when you enter the interview room and confidently answer any questions that are asked of you. Let the potential employer know how interested you are in their open position. Your enthusiasm will speak highly of you.

More Resources:

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