Asking For A Salary Increase

By Amy E. Feldman

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - According to statistics salaries are expected to rise 3% this year, not much but it's something.

You might not be in the sales field but when you're asking for a raise you are selling yourself so know your product well, both your personal strengths and what the market will bear for other products like you. Then do your research.

How much do others in your job category make? Not at your company necessarily but out in the job market. Honestly consider your strengths in terms of experience and qualities and where your experience is lacking to personally assess where you fit in the salary range. If the salary offered or the raise given is not what you had hoped, don't take it personally. This is a business proposition to your employer not a discussion of whether you're a good person. Ask in a non-angry way what you can do to get that salary the next evaluation, or if the answer is nothing, figure out where else you can sell your wares.