Many career experts believe the best time to ask for a raise is at the end of the year, before employers finalize the budget for the coming year. If you feel like you’ve earned a salary increase and you’d like to have it in writing before 2025, there’s still time – but seeking a raise is something you need to get right the first time.

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GOBankingRates interviewed two veteran career counselors about strategies for pursue a higher salary before the end of 2024.

Avoid reminder destruction errors

When asking for a raise, the first rule is to do no harm. What you don’t say may be more important than what you do, so be sure to avoid the following common mistakes.

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Don’t use non-assertive language

If you don’t seem sure that you deserve a raise, you shouldn’t expect the boss to be sure either.

“Avoid expressions such as ‘I think,’ ‘I have a feeling,’ ‘might,’ and ‘can,’” said Laura Gassner Ottingcareer expert, executive coach, HR veteran, and best-selling author. “Instead, focus on what you did and the positive impact it had.”

Leave Your Financial Needs Out

No one will give you a raise because you have a child, because you need a new roof, or because you’re saving for a down payment. Explain why you deserve more money, not why you need or want it.

“A raise should be about your value to the company, not your personal finances,” Gassner Otting said.

Focus on you – and only you

If you have information about a colleague’s income that you plan to use as leverage, don’t do it.

“Avoid comparing your salary to that of other colleagues,” Gassner Otting said.

Never be confrontational, demanding or unprofessional

In salary negotiations, as in life, ultimatums and threats are the last gasps of a losing argument.

“Don’t barge into an employer’s office and demand a raise,” Gassner Otting said. “It can harm your professional relationship.”

Dawid Wiacek, executive coach and certified career coach at The career repaireragreed.

“When negotiating a raise, be respectful and thoughtful in how you behave and handle the conversation,” he said. “If you start issuing ultimatums or demonstrate that you are unhappy at your job, a nominal pay increase is unlikely to make a difference to your overall satisfaction – and now your employer might think your days are numbered .

“So there is always an element of risk, especially if you approach salary negotiations or salary increases with a cavalier attitude.”

Prepare yourself for success

Asking for a raise the wrong way can sabotage your chances and even put your job in jeopardy, but not screwing it up won’t get you where you want to be. It is as important to follow the following rules as it is to avoid the don’ts mentioned above.

Know your number

When you sit down at the negotiating table, the notion of “increase” cannot be a vague notion. It has to be a concrete number.

“When preparing to negotiate salary, always know your numbers,” Gassner Otting said. “Search sites like Indeed.com, Glassdoor.com, Salary.com or PayScale.com to see what the industry standards are for men and women. Talk to people you know in similar positions or those who have held these jobs or supervisory roles during their professional journey.

Prepare like your salary depends on it

A lot is at stake when you begin salary negotiations – don’t rush.

“Prepare your case,” Gassner Otting said. “Make a list of your contributions to the company, such as taking on more responsibilities, developing new skills, or mentoring others. You can gather feedback from others, such as managers and stakeholders, and rehearsing or writing a script can help you feel confident and show that you know your value.

“Avoid asking for a raise when your company is in financial difficulty or when you are new to the role. Keep negotiations focused on your value, your value to the organization, and the future path you believe should be offered to you, given your merit.

Set achievable goals based on realistic expectations

Wiacek often sees a disconnect between the salaries people aspire to and the raises their employers can or should reasonably offer. Aim for a number close to, but not beyond, reasonable expectations.

“Depending on your industry, the pickings can indeed be slim,” Wiacek said. “Given that this is a tight and nebulous job market, you may need to readjust your expectations. It’s good to be ambitious, but if your niche sub-industry just laid off thousands of very experienced workers, asking for a big raise may not be an option at the moment.”

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This article was originally published on GOBankingRates.com: How to Negotiate a Raise Before 2025 (And Exactly What to Say)