By Michelle Reese
Tribune
May 22, 2005
(abridged version)

You've worked hard on the project. You've met all the deadlines. You've exceeded your own expectations, and those of your employer. You're thinking, "I deserve a raise."

So now what do you do? The best times to ask for a raise are during a performance review, before agreeing to take on increased responsibilities or after you've exceeded goal and objective expectations, said Dave Lindbeck, a Valley career coach for the past six years and owner of InStep Coaching.

Career coaches agree employees must do their homework before approaching a boss.

Kathy Sweeney, certified professional resume writer, career coach and owner of Senior Executive Resumes, said employees should do salary research and prepare a proposal for their employers.

"Throughout the year, the employee needs to be documenting what accomplishments she has achieved, and, if applicable, what cost savings or revenue contributions the accomplishments produced. This is important since an employee that contributes to the bottom-line profitability of the company should be compensated accordingly. The accomplishments must be in the current year of their annual review," she said.

Salary data can be found on the Internet at www.salaryexpert.com or www.salary.com. Employees should make sure to evaluate the information based on information similar to their own location, skills and career level.