If you’re trying to improve your financial standing, asking for a raise is a skill you should learn and practice often. With an increased annual income, you can pay off debt faster, take more vacations, or save more aggressively for retirement or a down payment for a home.

Despite the clear benefits of a raise, Americans view the conversation as daunting and unpleasant. According to a recent survey, 70% of people who ask for a raise receive one, yet only 37% of workers even ask. This could be because of lack of experience, or simply not knowing how to professionally ask.

You may be surprised to learn that there are a lot of other things you can leverage besides just experience when negotiating salary. This guide from Self Lender provides you with the tools you need to maximize your salary at any point in your career.