LONDON , England ( CNN ) -- The recession is a good excuse for employers to introduce a pay freeze , but what if you think your hard work deserves greater financial reward ? Four experts share their tips for getting a pay raise during the downturn . With a bit of luck , you could get a pay raise , even in the current economic climate . 1 . Knowledge is power , so before you pursue a pay increase , do some research . `` Compare your salary with that of your colleagues and with job adverts so you know the market salary for your position , '' says Sherridan Hughes , occupational psychologist with Career Analysts . 2 . `` You need to justify a pay raise , '' says Corinne Mills , managing director of Personal Career Management . She says you need to show your boss that you are exceeding your job requirements . `` You need to demonstrate that you have brought in business or have taken on additional responsibility . Perhaps redundancies mean you have been doing the jobs of two people , '' says Mills . 3 . Do n't work harder for that pay increase , work smarter -- and work in line with the goals of management . So says Robert Weil , president of Institute for Coaching . `` Increased pay and bonuses go first to those who impact the bottom line or impact what is most important to management , '' he says . 4 . Weil says you must make sure your actions and daily plan are aligned with your company goals . `` If the company , for example , wants more business from existing clients , then make sure you are putting all of your energy into that . If your company wants to cut costs , make sure you are doing that , '' he says . `` Think outside the box , get creative and be resourceful '' . 5 . It 's not all bad news . David Randall , a career consultant with Career Energy , says that even in the depths of the downturn , some businesses are giving pay raises . `` Firms need talent and talent costs money -- if they do n't pay then people will go elsewhere . That applies in large measure to executives , who are by definition talented , '' he says . Do you have any tips for getting a pay raise ? Sound Off below . 6 . Randall says that when you approach your boss for a raise you need to create a win-win deal for both of you . You should say that your goal is to have a higher salary and you want to know what to do to perform to a higher level that justifies that salary . `` It could be you can do that by working in a different way , by taking on more responsibility or by meeting certain targets that your manager can set , '' he says . `` Whatever it is , a deal can usually be worked out that will create the extra value to justify a pay increase . '' 7 . Ask nicely . Mills says it 's important to discuss your request in a pre-arranged meeting . She says that even if your boss says no , they might be able to set a date for a pay review , perhaps in six months . If a date is set for a future review , confirm it in writing , even if it 's just an email . 8 . Remember , not all jobs are equal and not all are suffering from the downturn . Randall says , `` Businesses need to keep up with the state of labor market supply . In shortage areas they will have to pay people in order to retain them . '' 9 . It can seem extreme but sometimes threatening to leave is what it takes to make your boss realize your value to the company , says Hughes . But she adds , `` If you threaten to leave your job if you do n't get a pay raise , you must be prepared to follow through with your threat . '' 10 . `` Manage expectation , '' says Mills . `` Times are tough and if it 's not in your contract that you will get a salary raise each year , do n't think you have an automatic right . ''
Career advisors give tips on how to get a raise in the economic downturn . Score: 6 Some firms are still giving pay raises , says career consultant David Randall .