Money Fix: Asking for a raise

Ask and you shall receive. But if you want that to be true when it comes to a raise, better have a game plan.

Here's how to up the odds of a fatter paycheck:

Pick the right time: Research the company's pay raise protocol. Some companies only provide increases once a year, perhaps after a performance review. Others may provide increases when merited, says Megan Moran, human resources specialist with Insperity, in Melville.

Have the facts: Arm yourself by knowing the going rate for your position and industry. Investigate how much others in similarly sized companies make. "Know your market value," says Chris Campisi, branch manager for Accountemps in Hauppauge.

State your case: Tap your success file. Pull out any awards or letters of praise from clients. "Your boss won't remember everything you did. Walk in with solid examples of your success," says Lainee Beigel, a career consultant in Manhattan with Career Esquire.

And remember: "I've worked really hard, I've been here a long time, or I've got kids in college, are fruitless arguments," says Jeff Detweiller, senior account executive with Lang Search Partners in Manhattan.

Consider alternatives: Maybe the budget won't permit more cash. Negotiate for benefits, like additional personal days or the ability to work from home, advises Jacqueline Whitmore, author of "Poised for Success."

Go for it: Says Jonathan Alpert, author of "Be Fearless: Change Your Life in 28 Days," "Reframe your thinking. Instead of 'I'll never get a raise,' think, 'I'll never know if I can get a raise unless I ask, and I know I deserve one.' "