One of the things I notice most, with my college students, is how impolite many of them think it is to ask questions of authority figures–unless, of course, it’s to ask for an extension for anything I ever assign, or to ask their parents for money.

But if they’re faced with, say, the dean, who has just raised their tuition again, many would be tongue tied if given the opportunity to ask why. They would think they don’t have the right to ask, and that they’re being rude.

That has to change before they’re in the workforce.

So, if your college student (or teen) has had a job for a while (six months is a good average), has performed well, the boss is enamored, and it’s not a fixed fee sort of job (like babysitting), teach them how to ask for a raise.

By the way, this same approach works for someone with an internship that’s coming to an end, if they want to ask to be kept on as a paid employee.

Here are the steps:

1. They need to believe they are a qualified candidate and have a right to ask. Have them write a list of the tasks they perform at their job. Next have them write a list of what they were hired to do. Does the second list contain more items? Have they done everything they were asked to do?

Usually, when someone is at a job for a while, and they’re doing well, they’ve added more tasks along the way. This is a good leverage point for asking for a raise. Remind them of that. It’s also a good reality check for a kid who may have more of a sense of entitlement.

2. Once they’ve established that they are a good candidate for a raise, make sure they understand that it is perfectly polite to ask. It is their right. Not only that, the boss will admire them for it. Say your kid wants to manage people, or move up in the company. The boss will think that someone who can take initiative, ask for what they need, is a strong employee.

3. Have them do research to find out how much others doing a similar job are being pad. They can Google it for some jobs, or ask people they know. See what the customary range of pay is. They don’t want to ask for a raise that is too much, or too little.

4. Have them think of extra tasks they can do at their job. When my daughter asks for a raise in her allowance, or she wants extra money one week, she always approaches me with an idea for an extra chore she can do. This principle is a good one to carry to the workforce.

Asking for a raise is a very important rite of passage for kids. It paves the way to asking for a promotion. And it will make them work harder, once they get that raise. Wish them luck!

To keep updated on new posts, you can also subscribe to our RSS feed, on Facebook and on your Twitter page. Just add us.