Crafting a thorough plan of attack is the first step in getting more money from your employer. Here are eight surefire ways to get it done!

Put Fear Aside

Understand that you, as a skilled and conscientious worker, are an asset to your company. “Your organization has invested time and money in you,” workplace expert Lynn Taylor says. “Savvy bosses understand that unhappy and underpaid employees are underperforming employees, which helps no one. It’s a drain on their time to have to re-hire and train a replacement who fits the corporate culture. So if you have a legitimate request, you do have a certain amount of leverage.”

Know Your Worth

In an ideal work world, raises would be doled out on a regular basis. Unfortunately, the reality is that companies often won’t pony up the cash unless employees ask for what they deserve. “You shouldn’t sit idly and feel dissatisfied in silence,” Taylor says. “If you have supportive evidence your salary is at sub-market levels, you should speak up.” Try to get an idea of what you should or could be making to ensure you aren’t over- or underestimating your salary potential. Ask other people in your industry for an idea of salary ranges, and utilize other resources, like Payscale.com and Glassdoor.com’s salary estimator. 

Perform Like a Pro

Know what’s expected of you in your position and hit those goals before requesting a pay boost. It’s also important to keep track of successfully completed projects and accomplishments to bolster your case. “No one is going to hold your hand and remind you of the great things you did all year,” career coach Connie Thanasoulis-Cerrachio says.

Be Aware of the Bottom Line

The cards are already stacked against you if you are working for a business that’s struggling through a financial rough spot, enacting hiring freezes or laying off workers. However, if your workload has increased substantially because of staff streamlining, you might be able to use that to leverage more from the powers that be. 

Timing Is Everything

Some of the best opportunities to ask for a raise at work are during a positive annual performance review or after successfully completing a big project. Similarly, gauge the general mood of bosses and choose to broach — or avoid — the topic of a salary increase based on what higher-ups are facing. Once the timing seems right, schedule a meeting.

Practice Makes Perfect

Don’t feel foolish about rehearsing the raise request in advance. Practice tone, talking points and potential answers to difficult questions. Doing so with a friend or partner playing your boss will also help alert you to any weak spots that need work, such as a tendency to veer into personal territory (think: blurting out desperation over student loan debt or inability to afford rent) instead of diplomatically focusing on the professional reasons for asking for more money. 

Don’t Babble

After stating the logic behind why you believe your compensation should be looked at for a possible adjustment, take a breather and let your superior react instead of nervously filling the silence. Listen for any indication you need to provide additional backup or reinforcement of important points, either during the meeting or in a follow-up email that restates your case.

No Sweat

After executing a thoroughly prepared pay raise plan, strike the idea that there could be retribution for asking for more. Remember: Probably the worst thing that could happen is you’ll get no for an answer. If that’s the case, employers will now be on alert and taking note, so keep up the good work.