The careerist: Seeking a pay rise What is the best way to ask for more during tough times? How do I prepare? In a sense, you should always be preparing. "Start negotiating your next pay rise the day after your last pay rise," says Stephen White, managing partner at negotiation specialist Scotwork UK. Do the preparation so that your boss has the message long before you walk into a meeting - and has time to find the money. Just mentioning it informally can help. You should also prepare by researching what your position is worth: job ads, recruiters and salary surveys are all good sources of information. "Go in armed with data and make it evidence- based," says Sarah Rozenthuler, author of Life-Changing Conversations . Assembling facts beforehand will help you come across well. You want to be relaxed and confident, without seeming brash and arrogant. When should I ask? "Timing is key," says Corinne Mills, managing director of Personal Career Management. Choose a time when you've recently proved your value - for example, when you've done something that is exceptional, especially if it has brought in more money. You should be documenting your successes to keep as ammunition for such moments and ensuring that key decision makers know about them. How can I guide the conversation? "Make sure it's a proper face-to-face conversation rather than a snatched chat after a meeting," says Ms Mills. Then, unless you get an immediate "Yes," you need to sell yourself to them and nail down what else you might need to do to secure the raise. Most people are on a pay scale with bands. Try to get a formal recognition of exactly what you need to do to move up in your band," says Mr White. If you are told a pay rise may be possible after six months, "send an email afterwards documenting this, so you can chase in six months," says Ms Mills. People forget, so you should leave an audit trail. What you should avoid, she adds, is brinkmanship. If you threaten to leave and then don't, your hand is greatly weakened. Even insinuating that you might leave can cause people to write you off. What if they still say no? "Have a plan B," says Ms Rozenthuler. "Say: "I'm keen to advance my career. What are my options? Think about other things you can ask for if they definitely don't have the cash. When money is tight it may be easier for managers to get non-cash items agreed. Look at items that have high value to you but less cost to the employer. For instance, an extra week's holiday might be worth more than an extra week's pay," she says. But, she continues, do not despair even if you are turned down outright. A lot of people are very much in touch with the risks of having the conversation but not in touch with the risks of staying silent . . . Even if you don't get the pay rise now, you've sown the seed in your boss's mind," she says.