Asking for a raise is scary for many of us, but with the right preparation and know how, it doesn’t have to be so intimidating. Research shows that many of us are uncomfortable negotiating salary or we’re afraid we’ll be perceived as pushy or even worse—lose our job. Salary negotiation differs by generation: Millennials are less comfortable with negotiating salary (30 percent) than Gen X (26 percent) and Baby Boomers (25 percent). It also differs by gender: Women are more likely than men to say they are uncomfortable negotiating salary (31 percent versus 23 percent).

Thankfully there are ways to up your odds of getting what you want by planning and timing out when you should request a raise. Read on to learn more about salary negotiation in the U.S., tips to prep, and what to do if your raise request is denied.

This infographic from Quill.com sums it all:

 

ask for raise