4 tips on negotiating for a raise or better work perks

Reflect and strategise

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Helen: Before embarking on such a conversation with your employer, reflect on your objective and discuss it with trusted friends if necessary. You should be certain about what it is you’re looking to achieve in the negotiation.

Shulin: Ask yourself what it is that you really want from this negotiation. What is your objective--is it higher pay, a more senior title or a different job scope? Once you’ve crystalised this thought process and your answers, you can strategise how to go about reaching the goal.

Dare to ask

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Shulin: I firmly believe in the adage 'don’t ask, don’t get”. You don’t always have to wait till the annual performance appraisal to ask for a raise or or an upgraded welfare package. In fact, many bosses would prefer not to have to read their staff's minds when it comes to plotting their career progression. Just state your case and substantiate why you think you deserve that raise!

Gather market intel for your pitch

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Helen: There is always a time and place for everything, so make sure to time such conversations in an appropriate setting. Also, do some groundwork beforehand to check what’s within the realm of feasibility. It’s important to ask your teammates or HR colleagues to see if there have been any precedents for what you’re potentially asking for.

Shulin: Gather market intel outside of your company. Speak to your competitors, industry peers and also a trusted recruiter to see what the market norms are or if there are new trends to take note of. This is especially if what you want involves flexibility in work arrangements, which is constantly evolving.

Never take "no" for an answer

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Helen: Even if it’s a “no” right now, it might be a “not yet” and not a "no" forever. If at first you don’t succeed, try a different approach the next time around.

Shulin: If all else fails, then perhaps it is time to consider a change and you may wish to consider charting your career path in a different direction. However, the grass isn’t always greener on the other side, and. sometimes it could just be that you need a change in scenery.