Candidate Forums, Having An Introverted Face, How To Ask For A Raise

Air Date:
Heard On Central Time

What do you assume about people based on their faces? We look at a new study that shows we judge people to be introverts by their faces and treat them differently as a result. Then we continue our midterm election candidate forums and learn the eternal question of how to ask for a raise.

Featured in this Show

  • Asking For A Raise? Author Says A Little Preparation Goes A Long Way

    When it comes to conversations with the boss, there are likely none more terrifying than the one where an employee asks for more money.

    While that fear might never go away, there are ways workers can better prepare themselves for the salary conversation, according to business consultant Larry Schwimmer, the author “How To Ask For A Raise Without Getting Fired.”

    Schwimmer said that when thinking about a raise, it’s important to toot one’s own horn and creating a list of achievements is a great first step.

    “Write down all the ways that you feel like you made your company money and made your boss look good,” Schwimmer said. “You’ll start feeling good about your contribution, and start feeling like you deserve a raise.”

    He also suggested sending the list over to the supervisor in advance of a salary meeting.

    “You want that individual to understand that you’re really excited and enthusiastic about the company and what you’ve been able to accomplish,” he said.

    Doing a little homework also goes a long way. Schwimmer also said it’s important to research what people in similar positions at other companies, especially competitors, are making.

    “It can give you the ammunition you need to be able to sit down in that meeting and be rehearsed,” he said.

    If an employee is still uncomfortable about asking for more money, consider asking for a perk instead.

    “It could be anything from a company parking spot, the use of tickets to the special owners box for a ball game,” Schwimmer said. “There’s many little benefits you can ask for beyond just a simple raise.”

    When someone finally finds oneself face-to-face with the boss, Schwimmer said being aggressive is a mistake. Managers generally don’t respond well to demands, but are much more willing to hear people out when they’re assertive.

    “They understand this is part of the game of the raise,” Schwimmer said.

    And often, managers are listening.

    “Even a stupid manager knows that the high cost of training and replacing you, usually far outweighs the amount of money that you’re asking for,” he said.

    That said, there’s still a good chance that the boss will say no. If that happens, Schwimmer said it’s OK to push back a bit. He said a worker can stress that he or shee needs to get paid based on performance and that if no opportunities present themselves for that at the company, then the worker would like to know about that.

    “That will leave open the discussion in a non-threatening way,” Schwimmer said.

  • 8th Congressional District Candidate Forum With Republican Reid Ribble

    Central Time hosts a candidate forum with Reid Ribble, the incumbent Congressman and republican candidate running for Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional District seat.

  • What Our Faces Reveal (Accurately Or Otherwise)

    Our faces may advertise our personalities, and tell people whether we’re introverts or extroverts, according to recent research. An expert on faces and emotions checks out the research–and how unconciousness judgments of people’s faces can inform and misinform us.

  • How To Ask For A Raise

    We all deserve a raise, right? But actually asking for a raise can be an intimidating experience. We’ll talk to an expert about how you can approach this sometimes tricky situation with confidence.

Episode Credits

  • Rob Ferrett Host
  • Veronica Rueckert Host
  • Chris Malina Producer
  • Karl Christenson Producer
  • Larry Schwimmer Guest
  • Reid Ribble Guest
  • Christopher Olivola Guest