How To Ask For A Pay Rise

how to ask for a pay rise

Many employees stress about asking their line managers for a pay rise. If your company doesn’t offer regular salary increases and a promotion isn’t in sight, asking for more money might be your only option.

The good news is that many who ask for a pay rise do receive one. These practical tips will help you learn how to ask.

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The Best and Worst Times to Ask for a Pay Rise

Timing is everything. Consider these best times to ask your manager for a salary increase:

  • Right after completing a successful project, especially if you led the team.
  • When your company announces high ROI and positive financial results.
  • As your contract is ending and the company wants to renew it.
  • When your manager starts asking you to take on more responsibilities.
  • During a quiet and non-stressful time in your boss’s schedule.

You should also know when you’re not supposed to ask for a pay rise. Here are the worst times:

  • When your company is experiencing poor financial results, or your employer has recently lost a major contract.
  • If the business has recently announced a recruitment and/or pay freeze.
  • On a Monday morning or during a particularly hectic time during a quarter.

Now that you know the best and worst times to ask for a pay rise, find out what specific steps you should take beforehand:

1. Research What a Competitive Salary Looks Like for Your Position

Knowing how much your current salary compares to the average salaries of other people in your position will give you a decent advantage in your pursuit of a pay rise.

2. Prepare and Practice Your Pitch, and Anticipate Questions

It’s not enough to learn how to ask for a pay rise. You still have to prepare your pitch.

  • Practice what you’re going to say when you ask for an increase.
  • Anticipate possible questions and prepare your answers.
  • Focus on the professional rationale, not on the personal reasons, for why you deserve a pay rise.

It’s okay to feel nervous — or even anxious — when discussing topics related to salaries and promotion. Rehearsing your pitch is one of the best ways to manage those feelings. 

3. Be Direct, but Use Positive and Active Language

There is no other way around this. If you really want to know how to ask for a pay rise, you also have to learn how to be direct.

  • Be confident, assertive, proactive, and positive when speaking. Using positive language will make the conversation less tense and awkward, which may lead to a positive outcome.
  • Know that while you may not get what you want, it’s still better to give it a shot than to play the “what if?” game in your head.

4. Demonstrate Your Accomplishments and Added Value

The best way to go about this is to look at the situation from your boss’ perspective. You have to show them how much you have contributed to the business.

  • Discuss your best accomplishments and the projects you have completed. Highlighting your achievements will help you communicate your positive impact on the company.
  • If you can find ways how you’ve directly influenced the increase in ROIs, such as through sales or sealing contracts with high-level clients, use these numbers — which always speak for themselves — to convince your manager.

5. Show Your Willingness to Take on More Responsibility

Yes, you have to demonstrate to your line manager that you deserve the pay rise. That part is a little easier since you can show your accomplishments to support your request. The tricky part is convincing your boss that you will be able to take on the additional responsibilities that correspond to higher pay.

  • Show that you have the company’s best interest at heart and that increasing your salary is a win-win.
  • Discuss specific situations or projects where you have gone above and beyond to show that you can easily take on the additional responsibilities.
  • Remember, you cannot demonstrate this capability if you haven’t shown any initiative in the past. 

Key Takeaway

Of course, learning how to ask for a pay rise is one to two levels easier than actually asking for one. Know that there’s always a chance that your manager will say no. However, once you’ve prepared for every possible question and theoretical scenario, you’ll be more than ready to forge ahead. There is only one way to find out your manager’s response — ask them.

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