When I first started working for “the man,” my primary goal was to make enough money to pay my bills and grab a bougie coffee in-between paychecks. Though after a while, I started to look at my life in a way that was bigger than just my day-to-day: What do I need vs. what do I want. Will I retire one day? How can I go on vacation and not feel like I’ve fallen behind when I get back? The anxiousness of this list goes on and on. After countless late-nights and working myself to the bone for what felt like scraps, I took to nearly every resource available to me to learn how to ask for a raise.
Asking for a raise can feel intimidating, but I knew it was an important step I needed to take to advocate for personal, career, and financial goals. Here are some of the tips I use to help prepare and navigate this often daunting conversation effectively.
1. Prepare Your Case
Before scheduling a meeting, do your homework.
Assess your contributions: Keep a record of your achievements, responsibilities, and how they’ve positively impacted the company. Highlight measurable outcomes, like exceeding sales targets or streamlining processes to save the company time or money.
Research market rates: Use salary benchmarks for your industry, role, and location to understand what others in similar positions are earning. This can give you a realistic target and support your request.
2. Make Sure the Timing is Right
Timing can influence the success of your request.
Choose a high-performance period: Plan your conversation after completing a significant project or achieving a major milestone.
Align with company reviews: If your organization conducts annual reviews, time your request to coincide with those discussions.
Don’t forget about you: Consider if the timing works for you on a personal level. Are you ready for additional responsibilities that might accompany a promotion? Do you really want to grow at your current company or would your time be better spent seeking employment elsewhere? Be honest with yourself.
3. Approach with Confidence
How you present your case matters.
Be specific: Clearly state the amount or percentage increase you’re seeking, along with justification. For example, “Based on my contributions to [specific project or role], I believe a [X%] raise aligns with industry standards and my value to the team.”
Stay professional: Keep the tone positive and collaborative. Focus on your value rather than personal financial needs.
Here’s a tip: Practice the conversation in front of a mirror or with a loved one. If you plan to submit your raise request through writing, consider having a third-party read it before you hit “send.”
4. Consider Alternative Compensation
If a raise isn’t feasible, be open to other benefits.
Explore options: Suggest perks like additional vacation days, flexible work hours, or professional development opportunities. These can enhance your overall compensation package.
If additional perks don’t appeal to you, again, weigh all of your options. Don’t be afraid to ask your employer the hard questions about the possibility of a raise in the near future.
5. Anticipate Objections
Your employer may have concerns about budgets or performance metrics:
Address potential pushback: Prepare responses that emphasize your value. For example, if budget constraints arise, propose a phased raise or ask about specific steps to qualify for one in the future.
6. Keep the Conversation Going
Don’t leave the conversation feeling confused. Try to get a clear picture of where you stand by asking for an organized plan of action.
Clarify next steps: If your request isn’t approved, ask for feedback and a timeline for revisiting the topic. If your request is approved, ask your supervisor to explain the established procedures for processing a raise. There may be multiple steps—or people—involved if you work for a larger corporation, so being aware of the system’s timing can help put you at ease as you await.
Continue the dialogue: Regularly discuss career goals and compensation with your manager to stay aligned. Whether you get the raise or not, you should have these conversations to ensure you are headed down your desired career path. You are the driver, so don’t get in the back seat.
Photo by Christina Morillo
No Comments