Dressing Up for a Raise
Posted in Salaries & Benefits
When trying to ask for a raise from a boss, it is not just merely trying to prepare what to say that is important. Another thing to consider is what you will be wearing when you eventually face your boss. True, a prepared speech might help get things in order by trying to get your point across more clearly than just nervously trying to think up of things to say on the fly. But how you might package yourself by dressing up may also affect on whether your boss might grant your request for an increase or not.
Selling Yourself
People should know better than to meet up with the boss wearing only the most casual of outfits. Of course this would usually depend on what type of boss you have. But casually asking for a raise might give the boss the wrong impression about you. It can be that the boss might consider such a raise as not that an important a matter anyway as long as you feel comfortable in your work. Or that the boss might not see your actual worth to the company through your casual attire.
Always remember that when you are trying to ask for a raise, you are actually trying to sell the idea to the boss. And selling the idea means dressing up and making the product even more presentable. And in this case, the product is actually you.
Dress Your Best
Think yourself as a product that you wish to sell. Of course, the first thing that you have to do is to try and make yourself look like a million dollars, so to speak. How you will present yourself to your boss by the way you look may affect how he might be seeing through you, and how he will consider your request for a raise.
Look Your Best
It is not just a case of wearing the most expensive suit or dress you have to impress your boss enough to actually agree on a raise. It is all a matter of how you present yourself. Cleanliness is an important part of a good presentation. Make sure that you have showered and shampooed your hair prior to the actual presentation. Make sure that your nails are properly kept clean and in moderate length.
Another important thing to consider is the scent you wear. Make sure to use light and soft smelling cologne or perfume that should not be to overpowering enough to gain attention. Coming to the meeting with the boss with a fresh smelling breath would also be a good way to present yourself for that salary increase request.
Show Your Worth
It is not just merely trying to present yourself in the best way possible that would help convince your boss. Show what you have done for the company. Just like any other product, the best presentation can only take you so far. What the buyer would be looking at more closely in a particular product is how it performs or functions to see and determine its actual value. Show that you have done more than enough for your boss or the company to warrant such a raise in your salary.
