What every Australian worker should do this weekend A prayer is not enough - be prepared and boost your chances of getting a pay rise Source: News Limited INSTEAD of getting drunk or visiting grandma this weekend, every Australian worker should be preparing to tell the boss how awesome they are. Among all the times to ask your boss for a pay rise, the end of the financial year is by far the best. And as of June 21 there is only seven days standing between you and another year of rubbish pay, with five of them spent with your nose to the grindstone. But, instead of marching into the manager's office immediately after reading this advice, Max Coaching founder Jane Lowder says employees need to do their homework. Set your own expectations by researching the average salary for similar roles in similar industries. If your salary is below the market average, this information will help support your request for a raise. Outside of increases for inflation, pay rises are typically linked to performance. Don't rely on your boss's memory of all your valuable contributions. Make your own list of highlights and achievements, including where you have delivered value, increased productivity, improved quality, achieved cost savings or contributed to the growth of your organisation. Be ready to deliver this information when asked: ``Why should we give you a raise? Timing can make a world of difference to the outcome. Don't ask for a raise when the market is down, for example, or if the organisation has hit a patch of slow growth. It is better to ask for a raise off the back of a win for the organisation, upon successful delivery of a project or piece of work, or when your skills are in demand in the job market. Be professional and factual in your request. Manipulative or emotionally-charged demands rarely achieve positive results. If the answer is ``no," don't hold your boss to ransom and threaten to leave they may just call your bluff. Take the opportunity to ask for development opportunities that could lead to a pay rise in future. While your employer may not have wriggle room in the budget for salary increases, they may have flexibility in other areas, such as professional development or workplace well-being. Employer contributions to higher education costs or gym memberships also can be like money in your pocket. Consider the value of such benefits and don't be afraid to ask whether a raise could come in that form.