9 Do’s and Don’ts of Getting a Raise at Work

First off, you need to know what you're worth heading into the conversation. When you're thinking about how much to ask for in a raise percentage, get some statistics to justify the increase. "Do some research ahead of time to determine the value of your skills in the current market," advises Pina Nicoli of The Creative Group. "Going in with an arbitrary number won't do anything to help your case and it may actually work against you if you can't back up why you're requesting a particular salary."

RELATED: Jobs in Canada that women are dominating.

You have to pick and choose your battles and, more importantly, when you fight them. "Try to make sure the conversation coincides with a time when you and/or the business just had a major success, like a successful campaign launch or memorable event," suggests Nicoli. "Ensure your accomplishment is still fresh in your managers' minds."

Nicoli also warns not to catch them by surprise — because who wants that? "Schedule your meeting ahead of time and make it clear you'd like to discuss compensation, so they have a chance to reflect on your recent achievements and do their own salary research if need be."

RELATED: These high-paying jobs are in-demand in Canada.

Take that good timing with your work one step further and take note of when your company a) manages its budget and b) when they typically offer raises for good employees like you. Once you sniff out that important info, make sure to approach the conversation about your raise at least a month before you know these big decisions will be happening. Otherwise, even if your boss thinks you deserve more dollars, their hands will be tied.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Life audit: How much monthly fun money should you budget for.

Anything positive you've received from clients or customers is something to have in your back pocket. "Keep customer/client 'thank you' notes or testimonials around," suggests Michael A. Klein, PsyD, an organizational psychologist and former HR director. "These can be utilized during your performance review as background info or you can share them as a way to open up a conversation about exceeding expectations." Also, if you've received excellent feedback or you crushed your last performance review, your case is only that much stronger. Worst case, you can always refer to these things when you're having a less-than-positive day.

RELATED: These jobs for women in Canada pay well and are in demand.

"No matter how good your relationship is with your manager, you need to build a case that showcases what you offer the company and how your work speaks to the bottom line," says Nicoli. "Focus on the return on investment you provide day to day and highlight relevant achievements, quantifying them as much as possible. You need to show to your manager that offering you a raise and keeping you on board is good for the business."

Remember that big presentation you had? Or that campaign you brought to life? Once a project ends, the postmortem report may begin. Take this opportunity to chat with your supervisor, manager and/or peers to discuss strengths and weaknesses — and how to better tackle work with your new learnings. This feedback can also work as a benchmark for improvement and show leadership you're capable of development. Active listening is key here.

RELATED: How to boost your confidence at work.

Your own supervisor might take your work ethic for granted, so it's up to you to up your game. If that means getting known internally by others, so be it. "The more other managers and leaders who know your value...the more likely it is that your manager will 'get it,'" says Klein. "While they may appreciate you and value you, if their colleagues know about your skills and competencies, they are forced to see you as a valuable commodity. This might just make it easier for your manager to reward you."

If you're not feeling adequately compensated, Klein suggests you might look for similar work in a different part of your company. "Don't assume that your skills equal your compensation," he explains. "There may be another role in a more strategic department or division that can pay you more for a very similar job.

RELATED: Career mistakes that are OK to make in your 20s.

It's mostly about the money, but it doesn't have to be all about it. If the discussion doesn't go your way, it might be the case that a company simply isn't in the position to bump your pay. So you have to think outside the box and "consider that getting more doesn't have to be about making more," says Nicoli. "Non-monetary perks or extended benefits packages may ultimately end up being more valuable to you and your lifestyle in the long run," explains Nicoli. "Ask yourself whether things like professional development opportunities, free fitness classes, a flexible work environment, transit reimbursement or a monthly phone allowance outweigh straight dollars." If so, it's time to cash in.

RELATED: Other ways to get money from your employer.