How to Get a Raise

20 rules for boosting your salary, most of which actually work.

They are:

• Rule #1: You actually have to do stuff.
• Rule #2: Avoid threats and taunts.
• Rule #3: Never bluff your boss. Do your research.
• Rule #4: Only talk numbers to numbers people. Your boss may be ego-driven, not numbers-driven.
• Rule #5: Talking louder is seldom an effective persuasion strategy.
• Rule #6: Never inflate results. Trust is more important than short-term wins.

• Rule #7: Don’t obsess over whether you are treated fairly. Obsess over results.
• Rule #8: No surprises. Ever.
• Rule #9: Look the salary you want to earn.
• Rule #10: Don’t overcommit.
• Rule #11: If you screw up, admit it. Then fix it.
• Rule #12: Be yourself. Life is too long to fake a role.
• Rule #13: Relax. There is no Rule 13.
• Rule #14: Pay more attention to the details of your business than your boss does.
• Rule #15: Don’t hang yourself. Only promise results you KNOW you can deliver.
• Rule #16: Don’t waffle. If you promised “Ultra,”deliver Ultra.
• Rule #17: Keep your cool. Anger causes tunnelvision.
• Rule #18: Do not get full of yourself. Always show respect.
• Rule #19: When you get feedback, actually listen to it.
• Rule #20: Ask for a raise after you have mastered Rules 1 to 19.

How to Get a Raise from Bruce Kasanoff