What Your Boss Thinks When You Ask For A Raise

By Alison Green

You've researched the going rate for your work, documented your accomplishments from the last year and put together a case for a salary increase, and now you're sitting across from your boss, having just uttered the words, "I'd like a raise." And you might be getting a little panicky as you wonder what your boss is thinking.

Despite what you might fear, it's probably not, "The nerve of this guy!" Most commonly, when you ask a manager for a raise, your manager is thinking about the following five questions.