Company Size: 10-49 (United States)

This market of computer repair has been flooded with people (young and old) that are horrible "techs" and has lowered the value of the technicians that know what they are doing. We (technicians) should be making 18-21/hour not 15-16/hour...

Do the homework on what other people in your field get, and compare what you get to the national average.

Tell the company how you have saved them money in the past. Have concrete examples. I produced a 500 page book in-house and saved my boss thousands of dollars and a year time wise.

Argue your case and SHOW them proof that the skills and abilities you bring to the job are worth more than they are currently paying you. You have to prove your case.

I waited 6 months and asked for a raise in a note expressing that I believed I deserved a raise and named everything that I did. In two weeks I got a 10 cent raise. It's not a lot but some people have been there 5 years and never got a raise.

Make sure that you haven't been late to work or been slacking off before asking for a raise. Be ready to give a response to anything your boss may say when you ask.

I performed an in-depth telephone survey of 10 collegues I've worked with as legal secretaries who have been employed approximately the same length of time I have. I requested their general salary within a certain range based on length of their employment, as well as any employer-provided benefits, i.e. vacation, pension and insurance packages. I also researched and printed my County's wage analysis as well as local private industry wage reports for my area. I approached my employer with a figure I believed was a fair and reasonable raise expectation, due to my in-depth research.

It took a month of discussions, but I was awarded a $5 hourly raise including addl. benefits due to my thorough and professional legwork. If you take the time to research your job description, local industry and County wage analyses, as well as job description and performance expectations, don't be afraid to shoot for the moon and win.

I did.

Wait till it gets very busy to ask for a raise.

If you love your sales career and have been with the same employer for approximately five years it's time to break away from the salary or salary/commission. Go straight commission! It boosted my income.

Set an appointment with your boss. Be prepared to show him where you were when you first started (first year, second year, third etc.). Then show him where you are presently. Now the kicker--show him/her where you want to go with your sales numbers.

After showing the boss your sales numbers it's time to present a straight commission program you feel is fair to yourself and, more importantly, your company. Remember, if you don't sell, then they don't have to pay you. If you do sell, show the boss how much money the company makes and how much you will make. Know the numbers! Like in sales, it has to be a win/win situation!

Most importantly, tier your percentage of commission (ie. 28% up to your first 1,000,000 in sales, 29% from 1,000,001 to $1,500,000, and then 30% from $1,500,001 on up. Then at the new year you start all over again). Originally I was making $16,000 a year base with a 20% commission with an average income of around $60,000 a year.

This program above changed my income dramatically.

On straight commission I now average $115,000 annually (Keep in mind, sales people get a built in raise every year due to annual price increases. You don't have to go in and ask for an increase--it's already there for you).

The greater the risk--the better the pay must be from the company. They know you will be highly motivated to go out and sell.

Keep in mind though if you don't sell you don't eat! And yes, some months are horrific while others are tremedous.

One last important item: Put the program on paper and present it to him/her. Sell them! Be sure to lace it with other benefits like car allowance or company vehicle, expenses, health benefits, 401K, cell phone, laptop etc.. Reach for the stars. You are committing to the company and the company is committing to you. Get the tools you need for both to succeed. Watch out though, a non-compete clause may follow before the company agrees to healthy compensation program.

Good luck and good selling!!!

Show how much you are worth through the work you do. Don't follow the crowd but stand out as the cream of the crop by being on time, overdress for you position, be flexible and available for your employer. Exhibit high levels of being a team player, understand the industry you're in even if you don't have a clue (attempted efforts do count), and go above and beyond in every single project without going over your deadlines.

When you ask for the raise, it will be a no brainer to your boss that you clearly deserve one, and they may even give you a bigger one than you asked for. It happened to me.

When I first took over the Collection Manager position it was the first time this privately held company had ever hired a professional Collection Manager. Since I had been out of the industry for 4 years, I didn't mind taking a "lower" salary to start with, with full intentions of working my way up.

As a women in a "man's world" you have to be careful to come accross as knowledgable but not bossy or "pushy". During the review cycle I would hand in a "Department Report" listing all of the positive accomplishments in my department over the past year (I keep records during the year of major accomplishments or challenges and how they were handled). I then run a variety of "salary comparisons" off of the internet and attach them to my report.

During the review I simply remind the owner, that I trust his judgment, he has the statistics of what the industry is paying, and he has always treated me fairly in the past and I see no reason to assume that this year will be any different.

I have not been disappointed. Each year he has surprised me with above average salary increases and bonuses. 8 years later and I am in the 95% pay bracket for my position and location. The biggest thing is knowing your boss -- mine loves numbers -- the more I give him the better he likes it.

Prove that you are worth more money by showing initiative. Show your employer that you are the best employee for your position, show up to work on time, always take that extra step, dont keep to yourself all the time be known around the office or wherever your employment setting is.

Don't overcomplicate things, and sometimes a breather is needed, take one. Do Not Call In Sick Every Week. Calling in sick should only be used when you are truly sick, and only when it is unbearably so, if medicine will work then use it.