Asking for a raise is never easy.  Fear intensified by your emotions involving your health history can make it more difficult. But that doesn't mean you should let your health history as such interfere with asking for a raise that you think you deserve.

Before you ask for a raise, consider the following

Step 1. Do your homework to learn the current value of your job.

Step 2. Decide what you want to ask for

Step 3. Prepare a strategy.

Step 4. Be ready for objections.

Step 5  Practice making your request.

Step 6  Consider the timing.

Find out the value of your job: how much are people in your position, with your experience, being paid.

Check on the internet. The internet is an amazing source of information about salaries. In addition to looking for your job in your area, take a few moments to look at salaries for jobs you can do in areas you'd also consider living in. If there's a really big difference, this may be the time to start considering a move. Some sites at which to start:

• www.salary.com : You can get a basic report for free or a more detailed personalized reports for $29.95 ($79.95 for executives). Data is from employers.
• www.acinet.org has salary ranges for almost 500 occupations and can perform free detailed searches.
• www.payscale.com obtains data from users. Free report allows research up to 4 job descriptions.
• www.jobnob.com offers actual salaries of current employees.Company does not say where information comes from.
• U.S. Dept of Labor/Bureau of Labor Statistics at www.bls.gov/oco has detailed job descriptions and links to industry specific organizations.
• www.CareerInfoNet.com has information by state.

Ask people who work for competitors.

Speak with outside recruiters or employment agencies.

If you're a professional, consult a professional association.

Ask co-workers their understanding of what people in your position with your experience are getting paid. Don't ask what they are getting paid. You won't know if they are inflating their income or not. Your employer may also have a policy against people discussing their salary.

Create a list of all you've done since your last raise.

Particularly think about what you've done that has improved your employer's efficiency and profits.

If you've been part of a team, in addition to describing the team accomplishments, include how you helped the team beyond the average team member.

Prepare mentally.

You are ready for this raise.

You deserve it.

What do you want?

• If your priorities have changed since your diagnosis, do you want more time off? Something else that isn't about the dollar?
• If you haven't done so already, look at your Real Earnings. The exercise will likely point out areas where you are spending time, or expense that doesn't relate to your core job performance. Are there changes your employer can make that would increase your net without affecting the employer? If they do affect the employer, are they within the realm of a "reasonable" raise?
• Do you want increased pay? If so, to how much? What amount will you settle for?
• Other perks such as a car, vacation time, a better office?
• If you're at the top of your pay range, do you want to be considered for another job? For more training? For paid education?

What is the market value of your job?

You can check what other people in a similar position are making at such internet sites as:

• www.PayScale.com
• www.Salary.com

What is the minimum you're willing to settle for?

If you don't get what you ask for:

• Is there an alternative package that would suit your needs?
• What are you realistically willing to settle for?

If you think about this ahead of time, you'll be better able to respond during the meeting.

If something comes up in the meeting for which you are not prepared, there is nothing wrong with asking that the meeting be adjourned until a particular day or time to give you time to think about what's been discussed.

What will you ask for?

Think about asking for a bit more salary than you want, such as if you're asking for an increase in salary, ask for a few percentage points higher. Don't ask for something unreasonable. If you ask for more than you want, you may get it. If you don't, you still have room to fall back. If you only ask for what you want, and you get it, you'll never know if you could have gotten more.

According to research, on average, the first person who states a number gets closer to what they want.

Which facts can you focus on, and how can you present them, so your boss is most likely to say yes?

• Be sure to include your committment to the employer, including how much you love your job and are excited about the direction of the company.
• Think about facts that show you are a devoted contributor to the company's success.
• Highlight responsibilities and accomplishments that help move the company's priorities forward.
• If you are doing more than one job, point it out. The more jobs you fill, the harder it is to replace you.

If you can get a job offer or at least an expression of interest from another company it will strengthen your bargaining position.

This isn't something you can do often. If you use this idea, be sure to tell your boss you want to stay but you have an offer for a greater amount. You'll get his or her attention.

If you have documentation to show that you are being underpaid, put it in readable form so you can take it to the meeting.

Think about what else to bring up. For instance:

• Let your boss know how much you enjoy your job and the company.
• List your achievements since your last raise.

Think about what not to bring up.

For instance:

• Why you need the money
• That a particular co-worker is making more than you
• That you'll leave the company if you don't get the raise (That is, unless you will actually leave if you don't get the raise.)

Avoid emotions.

Consider what you would like if you don't get a salary increase, or even if you do.

For example, better hours, or for the company to pay for a computer at home, or a better PDA or a better title which can ultimately lead to a better salary. Or perhaps it's the accommodation you want to help you do your job but which was previously turned down.

If you're going to ask for a raise other than during an evaluation, ask your boss for a meeting where you can discuss your performance and compensation.

It's not a good idea to surprise your boss with the subject unexpectedly.

Be prepared to compromise.

See Decide What You Want To Ask For, above.

Decide ahead of time what to wear.

It's preferable to look neat and presentable.

Think through your boss's potential objections, and be ready with your arguments.

For example:

• You've missed too much time because of your health condition. Possible response: "I got my work done. In fact, I got more than my work done."
• You're on shaky ground because of your health history. Possible response: Under the law, as you know, my health history can't be considered. Besides, I'm doing my job really well -- and more. Nobody can predict the future, but I'm not planning on going anywhere."
• You haven't earned it. Possible response: "What can I do to earn it?" and "When will be the time to reconsider?" Confirm in writing the goals and the timing for a salary reconsideration. If you're earning less than other people in your position, you have your research to present.
• There's no money in the budget. Possible response: "When will there be?" and "What do I have to do to assure getting the raise?"
• We're losing money. Possible response: "I didn't know that. I've saved (made) the company a lot of money. When is a turn around projected? What increase do you project for me and when?"

Once you’re prepared, role play your strategy with a trusted friend or family member – particularly one who is a member of management or owns his or her own company.

At the other extreme from no preparation, don’t become so practiced that you end up sounding pre-taped.

The exercise will help you feel more confident, and likely bring up matters you hadn’t thought about previously.

We won't go as far as saying that "timing is everything," but when it comes to asking for a raise, timing is critical.

Bad timing

If your condition currently requires a lot of time off, or you just asked for a reasonable accommodation, it may be in your interests to wait awhile to ask for a salary increase. Hold off until you're back in the groove and showing your stuff. Even if your work has been above average, it's not a good time to push a point. Keep track in writing of what you've done for the company so you'll have it on hand when the timing is better.

Likewise, it's not a good idea to ask for a raise if your boss is dealing with a crisis, or you just messed up.

It's not a good idea to ask for a raise when the company's finances aren't in good shape, or goals aren't being met -- though if you're performing really well, you may still be able to get a raise.

Better timing

• Right after a really great evaluation.
• Just after you've performed really well for your employer.
• When your responsibilities increase -- or you realize that your responsibilities already have increased to the degree that you're doing a lot more than you were when you reached your current pay level.
• Just before the budget for next year is finalized (so the new amount can be built into the budget). If money is tight, and you wait until later, the available cash may have gone to another employee.