How to Negotiate a Better Pay Deal

If you have been working for the same employer for many years, you probably like your job and they are probably happy with your performance. 

What is not guaranteed is whether you are being paid a fair salary.

Once you have worked in the same place for a number of years, it gets harder to walk away. You know your job and you are comfortable there. 

Your colleagues are like a tight-knit family where everyone knows everyone else. It’s a nice feeling when you like your job, but some employers don’t always reward their long-standing employees with a salary that befits their experience and loyalty. 

If this sounds like you, it is time to start negotiating for a better salary – and here’s how.
Most people don’t like asking for more money. It’s seen as impolite. 

However, if common sense dictates that you are not being paid enough for the work you do, whether your salary is too low or your boss expects you to work over-time for free, you need to take emotions out of the equation and ask politely for a pay rise. 

Ask Nicely

The first thing you should do is just ask. Request a meeting with your boss, arm yourself with a few bits of information, and ask to explain why you think you are due a pay rise.

Your reasons why you are due a pay rise could be because other people doing the same job are being paid more or you haven’t had a pay raise for a number of years. 

If this all falls on deaf ears, your next tactic should be to explain why you are willing to earn your pay rise. 

Many employers will reward their employees if they commit to extra training or are willing to take on more responsibilities. 

It shows they have future potential. For example, if you have worked as a nurse for many years, you could enroll in a master's in a nursing online course and boost your qualifications. 

Completing a higher-level master’s course will definitely qualify you for a pay rise. 

Be Flexible

If your employer is reluctant to pay you more, perhaps because it’s a small company and they simply can’t afford to pay extra, be flexible about what you’ll take. 

For example, maybe they can offer you a few benefits such as extra holiday days or the option to work flexible hours. 

Don’t Threaten

What you should never do is threaten your boss. Sure, you may have worked for the business for a long time, but at the end of the day, you don’t need to create bad feeling and cause yourself stress.




As we get older, we are usually less inclined to put up with people who take advantage of us. 

However, don’t take a “no” as the end of the story and quit. Wait a while to see if a “no” turns into “yes” later further down the road. 

It might do if you have been reasonable. Alternatively, you could look at an MSN online program and consider moving to a new employer.