When negotiating for a raise in pay, you should never negotiate with someone who will not decide or can only say “no” to you. Negotiate with someone who has the authority to say “yes” to you.
If the person you are going to sit and talk to about your increase in pay doesn’t have the
authority to give you the increase in pay, then you have three alternatives:
- Go over their head This is very dangerous. In most corporations, it will backfire on you. It could always be an option later, if you fail to get what you want and you’re willing to quit over it. However, in the initial stages of the negotiation you should rule it out.
- Request that you meet with your immediate supervisor and the person who could give the increase in pay. Consider the personality of your immediate supervisor. If he doesn’t have a very strong personality, he may actually appreciate the fact that you’re willing to go with him and state your case. However, if he’s very protective of his department, he may really be opposed to this because he feels he’d be losing some power over his department. If you’re not sure how he’d feel about this suggestion, you may say “What will be the best way for us to handle this? Would you like me to come with you, or would you prefer to go to the boss yourself?”
- Work through your immediate supervisor, but get him or her on your side in terms of getting you the increase in pay. This alternative always seems best. Work with your immediate supervisor to get her on your side so she will sincerely work to get you what you want.