Whether you are already working abroad or looking to save up the money so you can get paid to travel, a much deserved raise can really improve your lifestyle. I have been in positions where I have felt underpaid and therefore undervalued. It’s not a nice situation to be in and for me, it was de-motivating.

So, what can you do if you are in that same situation? You want more money. You think you deserve more money.You need more money in order to realize your travel dreams. You want to approach your boss. Yikes. Where do you start? Here are a few ways to get you on that path to a fatter bank account.

Know You Deserve it

Being wishy-washy about what you’re worth isn’t going to cut it. You need to ‘know’ you are valuable. You contribute above and beyond what you have to, and your confidence needs to reflect that. If you go into the meeting with your boss thinking you probably won’t get the raise you want – chances are – you won’t.

Blow Your Own Horn

Be prepared before you meet and make a list of all your achievements. Many times, employers don’t even realize the extent of the accomplishments of each employee. Perhaps your day-to-day duties have increased or even changed and that has not been made clear. Don’t forget to include extra projects or assistance you have given others in different departments or things that clearly fall outside your job description.

Check the Market

Do some snooping around and find out what other companies are paying their employees for similar roles. Watch if new positions are being advertised and look to see what salaries are being offered. Many times, to bring in new people, companies have to sweeten the pot. Go to your Human Resources or check online if your company has that information posted on your intranet, and see where you fall in your pay level. If you are still near the bottom and your tenure is growing, you probably have a good case.

Know Your Company Policies

Sometimes companies offer annual raises and that’s it – no exceptions. If that is the case, you may not have any luck. Perhaps cold hard cash is not available but benefits might be. Some companies have more leeway with vacation time or other perks. Keep an open mind to see what other options may be available to tide you over until the next round of pay increases.

The Big Meet
Schedule an appointment with your boss when you’re confident you will have no interruptions and a good block of time to state your case. Dress well, be confident, bring your notes, and bring your ears. Be open to other solutions. Perhaps there’s even a different position available you hadn’t been aware of that might bring you into a whole new pay scale. Listen for leads that may open other possibilities. If your boss implies that you do not deserve more money – ask what you need to do to prove otherwise. Perhaps there is training available that you could attend.

Most importantly, if you don’t get what you ask for – do not infer that you will resign. Be professional, and then quietly start your search to go elsewhere, if you really feel that is the next best move for you.

We all want to feel valued. Sometimes that takes a little bit of work to make sure others value us as much as we want. Asking for what we want is always a good thing. Just do the research and then go for it. What do you have to lose?