You’ve got the job, you’re working hard, and you’d like to see a more accurate representation of all that work in your paycheck. Believe it or not, you don’t have to wait around for your boss to give you the raise you deserve. Not everyone realizes this, but you can ask for a raise and actually get one, even if it’s nowhere near your annual review. As you may guess, not everyone who asks for one gets one, so it’s important to know how to ask for a raise to prepare yourself for your best chance at getting what you want.
When I started working at a new job, my employer and I agreed upon a reasonable starting salary for the responsibilities as they were described to me during my interview. However, shortly after starting my job I realized there was so much more to it and I was required to handle additional responsibilities that went beyond my pay grade. After only being with the company for two months, I asked for a $15,000 raise. And I got it.
How did I do that? The short version is that I evaluated the situation, the company, my employer, and gave serious thought as to my long-term goals with the company. For the long version, I followed these steps.
- Know Why You Need One- Note that I said “need” not want. We all want to make more money, but when trying to convince an employer to give us a raise, we need to argue a case for why we need one. You should take into account what you do, what your living expenses are, and what your other options are. I took a pay cut from my previous job because I was told there would be growth opportunities my previous job didn’t offer. However, I determined the work load I was getting wasn’t what was initially promised and as I had moved to an area with a higher cost of living, it was difficult for me to pay my bills. I needed a raise because I was working outside of my job description and would have to relocate away from work to afford a place to live.
- Gather Your Information- Once you know why you need a raise, the next step is to get all your information organized so you can present your facts in a way that reinforces your case. One example is to make a list of all your required responsibilities and another list of everything you do outside of those requirements. Include everything you do, all your contributions to the company, how many people you supervise, and anything else that proves you consistently work beyond what is required. Consistency is key here since going the extra mile once in a while doesn’t present a strong case.
- Do Your Research- Knowing how much of a raise to ask for is key. I was gutsy with my $15,000 pay increase, but I picked that number for a specific reason. I looked up my job title on Glassdoor.com for my area and saw that other people were getting paid much more than I was. I included this information with my list of responsibilities along with average salaries of job titles above and below me for comparison. With the information I found and the salary I was getting, it was reasonable for me to ask for a raise of this size. Determine what a “reasonable” amount is for you and have statistics to back it up.
- Schedule a Meeting- You’re taking the time to get your ducks in a row, so you’ll want to be sure your employer has the time to hear you out and make an informed decision. You don’t want distractions or to feel rushed. Contact your boss and express interest in scheduling a meeting. The last thing you want to do is drop in on them when they’re crunched for time and are in a bad mood. Be professional and settle on a time that is good for them.
- Behave Professionally- When asking for your raise, treat it like an interview where you’ll be doing most of the talking. Dress appropriately and arrive with all your prepared information. Don’t act entitled to the raise. Be aware that you are making a request, not a demand. If you are considering another job offering that is willing to pay more, thus the interest in asking for a raise, mention that, but don’t give your boss an ultimatum of getting a raise or quitting. Simply mention that other options have come up.
- Be Gracious and Willing to Work- If you do get your raise, be thankful. Even if it’s not the amount you asked for, it’s a start. Also be aware that by getting a higher pay rate, you’ll be expected to work to prove that your boss made the right decision. Getting a raise doesn’t mean you can slack off.
By following these steps, you can increase your chances of getting a raise at work. Your proposal should be based in facts, the company’s needs, and your skill set. Not on your emotions. Each person’s case is different so results will vary, but by putting your best foot forward, you can give your company a firm reminder of just how valuable you are.
