Getting a pay rise might seem like an uphill battle, but it is possible! The trick is to be proactive about it. If you don’t ask, you won’t get. Although some employers are more open to discussing salary and packages than ever before, it falls on you to broach the subject. These are some helpful tips for asking for a pay rise at work without feeling awkward or risking your job in the process. It never hurts to be prepared with some stats and facts to back up your case as well.
Plan ahead
Before you even think about asking for a pay rise, it’s important to know what you’re worth. Without clear evidence of your value, it’s almost impossible to ask for a pay rise successfully. It’s also easier to plan ahead when you know what type of raise you’re after – is it a percentage, a fixed amount, or a combination of the two? It can also help to know what your company’s salary range is for your position and how that compares to national averages. Knowing what others make at your company can help inform your request, too. If there are people in the same position making more than you, getting a raise won’t just be about your own value – it’ll be about equity, too. You may need to talk to your manager about changing salary bands or ranges first, before asking for a raise.
Check your company’s policies
Some companies have strict policies in place when it comes to salary reviews and pay rises. Others have very loose guidelines. Regardless, it’s a good idea to check your company policies and find out what they recommend employees do when requesting a pay rise. If your company has a set time period for reviewing salaries, then you’ll have to wait until your review date to ask. If not, then you can definitely bring it up with your manager at any time.
Find the right time to talk about a raise
While it’s best to ask as early as possible and whenever there’s room in your calendar, there are better times than others to ask for a pay rise. It’s easier to get a raise when there are new budgets or annual reviews, and it’s also easier to get a raise when the company is doing well financially. If your company is going through a rough patch, it might be best to wait until things are a bit steadier financially. There’s no right answer, but there are some wrong times to ask: Don’t ask your manager right after they’ve done something nice for you, like giving you a promotion or a nice chunk of extra hours. It’s important to ask when things are mellow at work, so you can get your request and your emotions in check.
Be prepared to answer why you’re asking for more money
There are no magic words or secret tricks to getting a pay rise, but there is a right way to go about it and a wrong way. If you’re prepared, you can make sure you ask for a raise in the right way. You’ll want to be calm and you’ll want to be prepared with facts. You’ll want to be able to explain why you deserve a pay rise and you’ll want to be ready for any objections your manager may have. You don’t want to be caught off guard and have to scramble for an answer.
Bottom line
The key to getting a pay rise is to make it about more than just you. If you can demonstrate that you’ve added value to the company and that you deserve a pay rise, you’re more likely to get it. It’s important to remember that asking for a pay rise doesn’t mean you’re greedy or selfish – it means you’re being smart with your career. You’re taking an active role in your future and you’re showing your employer that you’re ready to step up and be taken seriously. If you’ve been doing great work for your company, then a pay rise is well-deserved.
