<http://schema.org/articleBody>
"Sure, your interview was nerve-wracking\u2014and so was your first week\u2014but you've been at your new company for a little while now, and everything's peachy...except for the fact that you want to talk to your boss about something and just don't know how. Whether you're looking for feedback or want to reevaluate your salary, there are easy ways to bring up these types of topics! (Really!) Lucky for you, we've got all your questions answered right here.\n\nHow do I say no to a task?\n\n Some bosses prefer to offload all their busy work onto underlings, and as burdensome as it can feel sometimes, remember that it's by and large a good thing. They wouldn't pile on assignments if they didn't think you were up to it, so try to view new tasks as fresh learning experiences. If it's gotten to the point where you feel in over your head, however, have an honest conversation with your superior about workflow. One approach is to see if there's a way you can manage these projects from the start instead of being thrown into them once they're passed on to you. Whether that means formally taking the lead or sitting in on high-level meetings so you're more looped in, talk to your boss about how these tasks can help you grow within your role. This will cut down on surprise assignments, not to mention make you even more indispensable to your team.\n\nHow do I ask for feedback?\n\n A lot of companies have formal employee reviews throughout the year, but if your situation is more laid-back, you might just get a couple of thumbs up here and there with no real guidance on what to improve upon. If this is the case, ask your boss for a quick pow-wow to discuss your progress. Be specific and make sure to discuss different aspects of your role and performance\u2014it can be frustrating to have to make the first move since a good manager should initiate these conversations, but remember that showing initiative is a positive thing. This is also your chance to be honest and tell your boss what you think is or isn't working! Be respectful, of course, but know the discussion is a two-way street.\n\nHow do I discuss my next steps?\n\n OK, time for some tough love: Getting seamlessly promoted from one role to the next until you hit the big time can happen\u2014emphasis on can. But 99% of the time, the career of your dreams doesn't magically fall into your lap. You're going going to have to pursue it hard instead of waiting for it to come to you! If this is a company you want to stay at or an industry you're invested in, volunteer for responsibilities before they're assigned and go above and beyond in every way you've can. After you've quietly proven yourself, talk to your boss about what you can do to grow and expand beyond your current position. Let them know you want to make a career out of this job and would love to be exposed to as much as possible so you can be promotable. Basically, it's good to tip your boss off to the fact that you're hankering to dive in full-force, but if you can tell and show them at the same time, you'll be unstoppable.\n\nHow do I ask for a raise?\n\n Money is always an intimidating topic, but you can only go so long without discussing it! First you'll need to determine whether it's too soon to ask (have you only been in your job for a few months?) or if you're truly ready for a pay bump (have you been there for a year or more, has your role changed significantly, and/or have you been approached for another, better-paying gig?). You also need to find out if your company gives out annual bonuses or widespread percentage raises\u2014money could be coming your way without you even having to ask for it. But let's say the burden is on you and you've decided it's time to ask for more moolah: Pick a target figure by taking into account how long you've been at the company, their financial policies, and your own value. Schedule a time to talk to your boss, give them a firm number, and tell them why you think you deserve the extra cash, whether it be because you signed a big-deal client or have taken on important work outside of your job description. And whatever the outcome, hold your head high\u2014asking isn't easy, but you did it!\n\nHow do I talk about non-work stuff?\n\n You can be pals with your superiors, no problem\u2014but it's on you to remember that you're an employee. You can divulge details about your personal life, but a good rule of thumb is to not share more than you would over social media. In other words, be yourself, but keep the juicy bits under lock! If you're being pressured to overshare, a simple \"I really don't like talking about that\" will shut the convo down, Olivia Pope-style. The same goes for work gossip: It's all too easy to accidentally cross the line by complaining about the office or chatting about a new job opportunity, so always keep it in the back of your head that you work for this person\u2014and this person has the power to fire you. In a way, it's a bummer you can't totally let loose even though you get along so well, but better to be safe than sorry."^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.teenvogue.com/story/how-to-talk-to-your-boss>