How To Ask For A Salary Increase
So you have been with your company for a while. You are doing great work and might have even been promoted. Something is bothering you though – your salary has not been reviewed. You know you deserve a raise and have been expecting and waiting for the HR manager to contact you, but nothing yet. Should you make the first move? It may sound daunting and uncomfortable to ask for more money even when you have earned it, so many people avoid the conversation to their own disadvantage. How do you ask for a raise?
Asking for a raise is definitely not one of the seven deadly sins. It means that you have been loyal to your place of work and have put in enough time and energy. However, there are ways of broaching the topic so that you get the anticipated result. There are some dos and don’ts. This article has carefully curated some very helpful tips.
- Prepare: You want to be confident when you meet your boss or the HR manager. Remember that you are not begging for a tip. Asking for a raise is a pitch. Practice what you will say over and over again. You could make a list of reasons why you deserve an increase. These reasons may include long hours, increased workload, or a stagnant salary over a period of time. It is helpful to call attention to your achievements since you joined the company. Also, refer to how long you have worked. Go through your contract. If there is a clause that qualifies you for a raise, go along with a copy of the contract and show it. Have a definite percentage of increase in mind. Do research on how much your services are worth in the labor market as of the time you are planning to ask for a raise.
- Choose a Good Time and Place: Set up your meeting in a place that makes you and the other party feel relaxed. It could be their office or a relaxing spot in the office building. Timing matters as well. Do not talk about a raise when your boss is having lunch or getting into their car. Do not do it over an email, phone call, or text message too. Do not ask for a raise in public or during a meeting. That would surely backfire and affect how your employer and colleagues think of you. Your hopes could be dashed if you ask for a raise when the company is going through a tough time. It would seem inconsiderate. So carefully plan and choose a time that will work best for you.
- Be Respectful: It is normal and your right to ask for a raise but do not insult or use derogatory words. Do not brag about your achievements or resort to threats when your demands are not met. It would be totally wrong to say, ‘I will leave if I do not get a raise and if I do, this company will crash!’ Be open to negotiation and dialogue in a professional manner. Your aim should be to get a positive response and not to declare war against your employer.
- Use Tact: A tactful approach works wonders. Be diplomatic and be mindful and cautious of what you say. For example, even if you have done research on salary increase by asking your colleagues what they earn, you should not say things like, ‘I asked Mrs. So-and-so and she said she earns a particular amount. She does not even do half the work I do’, or ‘Mr. Y just got an increase last week. I think I need one too’. Your pitch should be of high quality and your efforts should be presented in a way that gives it credence.
- Avoid Greed: Do not ask for an unreasonable amount or make it a habit to ask for a raise every year. Be realistic. Avoid projecting the idea that you need a raise just for selfish financial gains or because you are broke, in debt, or desperate.
- Be Brief: Make your pitch concise and straight to the point. Though the proof for a salary increase is sometimes needed (proofs like commendation from your employer and clients, a review of progress your team has made recently, or your contract), you do not need to go all out by preparing slides and using a projector.
- Reassure: After you have presented your pitch, give your employer the confidence that you will do even more after your raise. Assure him that the raise will be an incentive that will motivate you to work harder and better.
Now you know the dos and don’ts of asking for a raise, it is time to put your pitch down and practice. We have prepared a few template samples that will guide you as you prepare your own pitch. They are just introductions that will help you break the ice and move into the conversation smoothly. You can tailor your pitch according to your job.
- ‘I have been with (insert name of company) for (insert duration) and it has been a wonderful experience. I and the team which I led in our last sales promotion raked in the highest profit and number of customers as is seen on the company’s website. We were also commended by you and the entire company. Being a team leader means added responsibilities and a bigger workload. Could my salary be reviewed in line with the level of work I have been putting in recently?’
- ‘My work hours have been increased by (insert hours). This is a result of the major changes the company is making this year. I have been wholly involved, working in the (insert department) where I have (add achievements) for the past (insert duration). However, my salary has not been reviewed since I was employed. I hope that we can talk about it now
- ‘With the current need for content writers in almost every profession, I carried out research and found out that the salary range is within (insert applicable amount). I manage all our content and have recently joined the marketing and advertising team in copywriting. I would like my salary to be raised by (insert percentage) which is the current market rate for my services’
See? Not so difficult! The key to asking for a raise is preparation and of course, your record of good work. There is a possibility that your employer might not say yes (or no either) immediately. Another meeting may be scheduled or you could be asked to wait for feedback. But you would never know if you have the chance for a raise if you never ask. So prepare and ask. We hope you get that raise.