Karina Collis
HOW TO ASK
FOR A PAY RaISE
in 10 easy steps
FOR A PAY RaISE
in 10 easy steps
By Karina Collis, February 2021
You've taken on a career that you love. The work is challenging, and the people make each day an exciting one to greet. When it comes down to it, however, you're working to earn a paycheck. You may be supporting a family and paying off bills at the same time. Being paid what you're worth is understandable.
Explore these tips when you want to ask for a pay raise. They can help you achieve this goal.
Explore these tips when you want to ask for a pay raise. They can help you achieve this goal.
1. Make an Accomplishment List
Before you make any requests of your supervisor, manager or boss, think carefully about what you've achieved at the company so far. Sit down and make a list. These accomplishments don't have to be industry-changing events either. The smallest achievement, including organizing the office in a more productive manner, can be valuable. These accomplishments can also be placed on your resume in case you seek out another job in the future.
2. Focus on Your Achievements Within the Company
With your accomplishments in mind, you might be ready to talk to your supervisor. Beforehand, remind yourself of the bigger picture when it comes to pay raises. Always focus on your contributions to the company when you discuss your needs. The conversation should never be about how expensive your lifestyle is and how you deserve a raise to keep up with life. You deserve a raise because you're contributing more than necessary to the job. It's this fact that should sway your supervisor to offer a promotion.
3. Pinpoint Additional Contributions
A clever way to accent why you deserve a pay raise is by pinpointing those contributions that are truly not in your job description. You may have helped a colleague in an entirely different department with a project, for example. A new set of protocols could have been your brainchild when it wasn't part of your everyday tasks.
Keep in mind, however, that these contributions cannot take the place of your regular duties. If you've neglected the original job duties, that fact can make a pay raise difficult to negotiate.
Keep in mind, however, that these contributions cannot take the place of your regular duties. If you've neglected the original job duties, that fact can make a pay raise difficult to negotiate.
4. Create a Mock Interview
Asking for a pay raise at any time is stressful. You want to be as calm and collected as possible. Ideally, practice in an interview session by working with a friend. Ask him or her to portray the supervisor. Act out the interview session so that you can anticipate questions and considerations. When you arrive at the real meeting, you'll have some experience with the potential hurdles that may arise.
5. Know Your Pay Range
Asking for a raise that's too much can stop the negotiations in their tracks. According to Forbes, most raises range between one and five percent of you current salary.
Do the math before you enter the meeting. Asking for a moderate raise of one or two percent might be accepted more than a demand for six or seven percent. You want to show fairness for the company while standing up for your accomplishments over the past few years.
Do the math before you enter the meeting. Asking for a moderate raise of one or two percent might be accepted more than a demand for six or seven percent. You want to show fairness for the company while standing up for your accomplishments over the past few years.
6. Ask for a Sit Down
This discussion isn't one that should be conducted as a brief conversation in the break room. It warrants a real meeting. Ask your supervisor about sitting down for a short meeting. It might last around 30 minutes. This time period gives you the supervisor's undivided attention. During this time, you can lay out your reasoning for a pay raise. The process might include documentation, visual aids and other information to back up your claims. Your professionalism might win over the supervisor and score that coveted raise.
7. Table Any Emotion
A pay raise is directly related to your quality of life. It makes sense that any raise is a major milestone. There will be emotions involved. However, during the supervisor meeting, it's important to stay professional. Keep your emotions out of the conversation. Remain positive, communicative and relaxed. Being emotional or even combative may negatively impact your cause. Professionalism will always shine brightly on any employee who deserves a raise.
8. Be Clear About the Conversation
One issue that's quite common among employees is being vague about the reason for the meeting. In fact, the supervisor may still be in the dark about the meeting's purpose as you discuss your accomplishments.
Start the meeting with a clear statement about your intentions. You're asking for a pay raise because of your contributions to the company. Continue on with your documentation of your accomplishments that warrant the raise. The supervisor will be more engaged as a result of your direct communication.
Start the meeting with a clear statement about your intentions. You're asking for a pay raise because of your contributions to the company. Continue on with your documentation of your accomplishments that warrant the raise. The supervisor will be more engaged as a result of your direct communication.
9. Ready Yourself for Compromise
You may be confident in your negotiation style, but be ready for compromise. The proposed raise on your end may not be what the supervisor envisions. A small raise may be the result of your efforts. Consider this scenario a success.
The Balance Careers reports that nearly 31 percent of employees receive less than what they request. Around 40 percent of people achieve their goal pay raise. If you receive any raise, this fact means that you're part of a small group of hardworking individuals.
The Balance Careers reports that nearly 31 percent of employees receive less than what they request. Around 40 percent of people achieve their goal pay raise. If you receive any raise, this fact means that you're part of a small group of hardworking individuals.
10. Avoid the Competitive Offer
A strategy that many people try during a negotiation is the competitive offer. Another employer may have offered you more money. Although this concept worked in the past, most employers don't respond with a counteroffer anymore. Industries try not to pull employees away from other companies as a courtesy. If you have a better offer, and your current employer doesn't give you a raise, the other company may be a better option now.
Being professional during your meeting is the most important part of asking for a raise. Although the meeting may not turn out as you expect, your voice will be heard. Any future raises might be allocated to your accomplishments. Your hard work can make a difference in time.
Being professional during your meeting is the most important part of asking for a raise. Although the meeting may not turn out as you expect, your voice will be heard. Any future raises might be allocated to your accomplishments. Your hard work can make a difference in time.
Would you like to learn more about negotiations for women?
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