You work hard, show up, and go above and beyond for your bosses and coworkers. You feel it’s time for a raise, that you’ve earned it. So, what do you do now? When you want more money from your company, it’s important to approach the request in the right way.

Even if you’re the most deserving person in the world of a raise, it’s totally normal to feel anxious, nervous, and even doubt yourself. In this article, let’s focus on getting you confidently where you need to be and discuss how to ask for the raise that you deserve.

List Why You’ve Earned It

When you schedule that meeting to ask for a raise, you’ll clearly need to be able to discuss why you’ve earned it. Consider the following:

• What you’ve accomplished in the past year
• Projects you’ve successfully completed
• Additional money you’ve brought in for the company
• How you’ve assisted your coworkers

Being prepared with these points will help you tremendously when you’re seeking a higher salary. Your boss/company probably has a good idea that you’re a good employee, but putting it into perspective like this can make it clear why you deserve a raise as a valuable employee.

List Why You’ll Continue to Earn It

Now that you’ve reviewed how you earned your raise with previous actions, focus on what you can bring to the table in the future. Consider the following:

• New projects you plan to take on and complete
• Ideas you have for new business
• How you can continue to bring in more money for the company
• New training you’d like to do to further your expertise

Your employer wants to feel confident in their decision to pay you more for the foreseeable future; make them feel like you’ll be worth every penny.

Know the Market

When you’re asking for your raise, it’s important that you don’t under or over ask. Look up statistics on what others in your role, industry, and location are currently making in your position. If you’re already making more than the industry average, be prepared to really prove why you deserve more.

Be Proactive

Your company probably has quarterly or yearly review schedules, but don’t feel obligated to wait for your next review to roll around. You are your own best advocate for a raise; don’t wait until the next opportunity rolls around, seize it.

Timing is Everything

Okay, so we just told you to go out and seek that raise you’ve worked so hard for; but, you also need to take into consideration the current work and employee climate. Time your request based on the following:

• How is the company doing financially?
• Have there recently been a lot of hires?
• What has the general mood been with higher-ups?
• Have there been a lot of bumps in the road at work recently?
• Is the company regularly bringing in new business?

While your raise is important, you’re more likely to hear a “yes” if you ask when the company is having an easier time or doing well financially.

Make it About Your Accomplishments

Don’t go into your meeting with the mindframe of “I need this raise to support me financially”. While this may be true, you’re more likely to secure a raise by focusing on your accomplishments in the conversation than why you could really use the extra money.

What to Do If It’s “No”

Be prepared to hear no and be okay with it. Even if you’re deserving of the raise, the company may not agree or possibly isn’t in a position to dole out more money just yet. Don’t be discouraged; take into account why you’ve been told no and plan out your next ask accordingly.