Asking for a Raise

I am a licensed clinical psychologist working as an account executive and executive coach at a human capital consulting firm. I have been there for one year. I was informally told I would be receiving a 10 percent raise soon, which would increase my income to $77,000. From talking to other people in my field, it seems salaries are typically between $80,000 and $100,000, even though none of these people are licensed clinical psychologists, as I am. I am considering asking for a raise that is big enough to put me within that salary range, especially because I generate a lot of money for the company. I am considering bypassing my relatively new supervisor and going right to the big boss's office. Any suggestions?

Going over your boss's head is almost always inadvisable. Remember: your supervisor is employed for a reason. Your best line of action will be to research and prepare before you ask for a larger raise. This article, "What Not to Do When Asking for a Raise" provides detailed tips on how to prepare for the raise-requesting meeting.

While it's good to know how much others in your field are making, you should know exactly where you stand in the field when determining your salary worth. For instance, someone with one year's experience probably will not make the same as someone with five year's experience. And even though you have a PhD in psychology, it might not automatically equate to higher salary, because it is not in business or related field. Even if you feel your psychology background adds to your strength as an account executive, some companies might not see that so clearly. Also, you should also never use colleagues' salaries as a point of comparison when asking for a raise.

Concentrate on what you bring to the table. During your meeting, focus on what you do for the company. You said you generate profits. Have detailed information about this, as well as any other assets you offer the company. In the end, stay positive and do not be afraid to negotiate.