Ask the Hard Questions

Before you ask for a higher salary, make sure the timing is right — for yourself and for the company, advises Lapin. “Do you have the self-awareness to see that you don’t deserve a salary raise? Are your company earnings down? The first step in negotiating a better salary is figuring out if you deserve one, and understanding your value from there,” said Lapin. Figure out ahead of time when you’re in a prime position to ask for a raise.

If you’re changing jobs, you can expect to earn 8 to 10 percent more at your new job, according to LTS, a recruiting firm for specialized professionals. If you’re aiming to negotiate for a promotion at your current job, the average salary increase is 8.4 percent, according to WorldatWork’s annual Salary Budget Survey. Keep those numbers in mind when negotiating your salary job offer or new pay rate.