Several customer service professionals have recently requested advice on asking their boss for a raise.

The timing is good. Unemployment is low, wages are rising, and companies are struggling to fill key customer service roles. Meanwhile, many customer service professionals still feel underpaid.

I've successfully asked for a raise several times. The same techniques worked well in prosperous times and during a recession. More recently, I asked for a raise and got one while I was a contract trainer.

Here's what's worked for me.

Step 1: Research

Start by researching two things:

What your colleagues are getting paid
What other companies are paying people in similar jobs

Your company is likely using this data to set wages, so you can improve your negotiating position if you're aware of the same information.

You might have to ask your coworkers to find out what they're getting paid. While that might feel indelicate, there's a lot at stake.

I once got a 25 percent raise after learning that other contract trainers were getting paid significantly more than I was. It felt a bit awkward to ask my colleagues what they were making, but it felt great to get the raise.

Finding out what other companies are paying is a bit more straightforward. LinkedIn Premium subscribers can access market salary data via LinkedIn's salary search page. Here's a list of seven other salary sites if you don't have access to LinkedIn Premium.

Step 2: Get Leverage

You need to find an advantage you can leverage in any negotiation. Asking for a raise is no different.

Think of it this way: What is your employer's incentive to pay you more? Most won't be giving you a raise out of the goodness of their hearts, so you have to give them a compelling reason.

There are a few things you can consider:

What's the cost of replacing you?
How valuable are you?
How easy is it for your boss to give you a raise?
What are you willing to do if you don't get a raise?

Let's take a closer look at each one.

What is the cost of replacing you? Here's where your salary research comes into play. If you're currently underpaid, the company would likely have to pay a new employee more anyway. Plus they'd need to train the new person and hope they work out. Giving you a bit more money to stay might seem like a better bet.

How valuable are you? You'll need to be really clear about the extra value you add, especially if you're already getting above-average pay. Can you demonstrate a track record of stellar results? Have you made yourself indispensable to your boss in some way? Do you have a special skill set that's hard to find? The more your company fears losing you, the more likely you are to get a raise.

How easy is it for your boss to give you a raise? The best time to ask for a raise is when budgets are being created and companies are anticipating cost increases. I successfully asked for a raise several times just by getting my boss to include it in the budget. The worst time to ask for a raise is when your company is actively cutting costs and your boss has been told to freeze spending. You won't get that raise if your boss can't give it.

What are you willing to do? You should always be aware of your options. Would you consider leaving for another company if you don't get a raise? It's far easier to negotiate if the answer is yes.

Step 3: Be Reasonable

The best way to get a raise is to combine your research with some leverage to make a reasonable request at the right time.

The 25 percent raise I mentioned earlier? It was fairly reasonable since I asked to be paid the same amount as the other contractors. I knew I was the top-rated contractor and the additional amount was already in the budget, facts I tactfully pointed out as I made my request.

Here's an example of how I got a 16 percent raise as an internal employee. First, I did my research to discover my leverage:

Cost: It would cost the company at least 25 percent more to replace me.
Value: My boss already valued me, but I created a detailed plan for taking on more responsibilities.
Ease: I requested the raise during the budgeting process.
Options: I was willing to leave the company if I didn’t get the raise. My research revealed I could get paid a lot more at another job.

Of course, I really liked the company I was working for and wanted to stay. My boss wanted me to stay, too. So I showed my boss how giving me a raise and more responsibilities would benefit him and the department. It would ultimately save money because replacing me would cost a lot more.

This made my request seem reasonable, despite the large increase. Thanks to my research, my boss eagerly supported the raise.

Conclusion

Asking for a raise can be a nerve-wracking experience. Yet it can also lead to more money in your pocket and help you feel better about how your employer values your contributions.

While there's no guarantee of success, these three steps can increase your chances: