#getaraise

Did you know that you're more likely to get a raise if you ask for it than if you don't? The worst they can do is say no. And they can't say no unless you give them the chance to say YES.

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Having a tough time getting a raise? Entrepreneur and ‘Shark Tank’ star Robert Herjavec reveals the fatal mistake most people make when seeking a pay bump, and the best way to ask for a raise.

In 2012, I had decided that with buying a house and planning a wedding, I didn't really have time to throw job searching into the mix.  Jesse and I planned for me to keep my job, try to be positive about it, really work hard to deserve a raise and get it, and then start searching for a new job after we got married and had a honeymoon.  I stopped complaining about it, as much.  I did work as hard as I could to change things.  But there was only so much I could do.

The best part about the job is that I had built up a nice large amount of PTO (paid time off) to use while I was wandering around Italy with Jesse for our honeymoon.  It also gave me some flexibility when it came to taking time off for wedding vendor appointments or buying a house.  Overall, though, the job wasn't very rewarding.

The first weekend of December my fitness studio was holding a anniversary/holiday party.  I wanted Jesse to go with me to meet everyone, but he had another event he had to go to. I decided to go by myself anyway.  While I was there I bumped into his old boss and his wife.  His wife is actually the person who suggested I start at the fitness studio, so I took the time to say hello to both of them.  It was a quick chat and I said I would pass on a hello to Jesse.

The following week, his old boss called Jesse to ask him a question.  Jesse missed his call and we both thought that he would be asking him to lunch.  Jesse called him back the following day and the question was about me!  He wanted to know about my current job and if I was happy.  He remembered Jesse had said that I would be good at "this kind of work" and wanted to interview me for a new position that he was currently trying to fill.  Since Jesse approved of the job, I set up an interview for the following week.  Honestly, despite all my best efforts I went into thinking I wouldn't like the opportunity or that it would conflict with Jesse's job.  We chatted for about an hour and really hit it off.  It sounded like I would be a great fit for the position: love working with numbers, organized, and strong attention to detail.

The following week I was offered the position.  After thinking and talking it over with Jesse, I accepted the job!  I feel incredibly blessed that this opportunity came to me.  It really is true that things happen when you least expect them.  I put in my two weeks notice on New Year's Eve.  It was incredibly surreal leaving my old job for the last time on Friday.  I wish them all the best.

While I didn't completely finish this goal.  I have done all that I can do.  Due to unforeseen incidences I know I will not be receiving a raise, but I did deserve one!  I have gone above and beyond all year and compiled all of my work into a big presentation that I presented yesterday to a few coworkers and others I had never met.  Unfortunately my boss couldn't make it, but her boss was there!

My job description has grown and I will be finishing up a notebook/guide for my duties by the end of the year.

I was worried about presenting the information all weekend.  So much so, that I woke up on Monday morning and felt physically sick.  I didn't have a choice about going or not, so I got there and once I was at the location, I was much more relaxed.  During the presentation, I wasn't nervous at all anymore.  Yes I did read off my slides quite a bit, but I received good feedback from the attendees!  There was a lot of audience participation too!