5. Firms are not paying for years in the field. They pay for performance. You can be a 10-year paralegal but performing at the four-year level. Have you progressed in the past few years? Are you up-to-date on technology? Did you bring new skills to the firm? Are you doing more sophisticated work? If you not, on what basis would the firm justify a significant raise? None. Think about it.
6. Consider negotiating benefits and perks. A raise doesn't have to come in dollar signs. Think of other areas such as extra vacation, flex hours, or a real office with four real walls that reach the ceiling and a door that actually closes instead of three modular walls compliments of Ikea. Or, bargain for telecommuting or a week at a professional conference in Hawaii.
7. Bargain for a title. You can take it with you when you leave. It costs the firm nothing and gets them more revenue as they can increase billing rates. Senior Paralegal is much better than Paralegal on your resume. “It can be worth up to $10,000 or more”, says Chris Donaldson, CEO of Career Images, a prestigious recruiting firm in Los Angeles. “However, you have to be performing the assignments consistent with the title."
9. Time your pitch right. Approach your firm after you've done well on a project or taken on extra responsibilities. This makes your case much easier. The firm has a positive, recent experience and is excited about you right now. Immediately after a case settles in your client’s favor, a big merger is accomplish- ed, a deal ends favorably or a project goes extremely well, is an excellent time to approach the firm.
10. Don't threaten to quit unless you really mean it. If you give your boss an ulti-matum, you just may find that "or else" is your only option. I’ve known employers who stand up, open the door and show the employee the way out.
There are a number of reasons your boss may turn down your request, but if it's because there simply isn't enough money available, shift gears.
“Suggest an upgrade in your position,” says Donaldson. "It's easier for your firm to rationalize a higher salary if your job description is changed to include higher-level assignments. They can also bill you at a higher rate to justify the salary increase. And most importantly, you can always ask to reopen negotiations in a few months.”
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