In the current market, asking your boss for more money may not be a smart move. Especially when you have just secured your first graduate placement, you want to be humble in this area.  However, every workplace is different and there will be some situations in which companies can afford to up the salaries of some workers.
 
If you believe you are in a situation where a pay raise is warranted, and your workplace is not in financial hardship, there are some tactics that will help when it comes to presenting your case to your boss.

First and foremost, treat your pitch for a pay raise as a commercial process. Set aside thoughts of personal entitlement and think more along the lines of how to present yourself as a valuable asset – one that is worth more than your current remuneration.

Just like in a strategic recruitment process, businesses need to justify their expenses, so the more you can help your boss justify a pay raise then the easier it will be for them to give their approval. Approach the conversation with the same readiness as you would for job interview answers.
 
One starting point is to review your job description. If you have been with your workplace for more than six months chances are you have started to take on more than was called for in your original job description. Graduate positions for instance will develop to include much more than may have been initially discussed. Make a list of all the duties you perform above and beyond the role for which you were originally hired and present these to your boss as part of the proof of your increased worth to the company.

But just how much extra money should you request? No doubt you will have a figure in mind that would make you very happy. Yet you should also know how low you will go if the negotiation becomes difficult. One way to help you determine your range is to identify what kind of salaries other, similar positions, are receiving in your industry. Seek out online salary surveys as a starting point, as well as scanning the latest job ads in major newspapers and trade journals.
 
Not only will this approach help you set your own limits, it will also give you an independent reference point to which you can refer your boss. Just as effective interview techniques can determine success or failure in pursuing a job, a strategic approach in seeking a pay raise is also essential for getting what you deserve.