By giving workers enough money, the company hopes to keep them happy and productive in their jobs and prevent them from leav- ing. The amount of money you can ask for depends, in part, upon how much you are worth to your company. Present recent performance. But if your recent work has been lackluster, now may not be the best time to push for more money. Decide what to risk.
All negotiation is risk.
For instance, if you're confi- dent of your value in the job market, and willing to resign if you don't get what you deserve, you're in a much stronger negotiating position than the employee who really needs his job and is afraid of losing it. If you're a young single professional without major financial obligations, now is the best time in your career to push hard for bigger raises, bonuses and perks. Know the range. It depends on your current salary and how that relates to the going rate in the marketplace. Check the employment classifieds and talk with colleagues in other firms to find out the salary range for a person with your education, background and years of experience.