How to Ask for Raise at Work

Asking for a raise can be one of the most intimidating conversations you'll have in your career. Many people feel uncomfortable talking about money and worry about coming across as greedy or ungrateful. However, if you've been consistently performing well and have taken on more responsibility, you deserve to be compensated fairly.

Advocating for yourself is a crucial skill for career growth. With the right preparation and a confident, professional approach, you can turn this nerve-wracking conversation into a successful one. This guide will walk you through the steps to effectively ask for a raise.

1. Timing is Everything

When you ask for a raise is almost as important as how you ask. Don't ambush your manager on a busy Monday morning. Choose your moment strategically.

Good times to ask:

During your performance review: This is a natural time to discuss your accomplishments and future compensation.
After a big win: Have you just successfully completed a major project or exceeded your goals? This is a great time to highlight your value.
When the company is doing well: If the company just had a great quarter, they may be more open to increasing salaries.

Bad times to ask:

During a stressful or busy period for the company.
If you've recently made a major mistake.
If the company is going through layoffs or financial difficulties.

2. Do Your Homework

You can't just walk in and say "I want more money." You need to build a strong, data-driven case for why you deserve a raise.

Research Market Rates: Use websites like Glassdoor and Payscale to find out the average salary for your role, experience level, and location. This will help you determine a reasonable number to ask for.
Document Your Accomplishments: For several months leading up to the conversation, keep a running list of your achievements. Focus on accomplishments that have had a measurable impact on the company.
Quantify Your Value: Whenever possible, use numbers to demonstrate your contributions. For example:
- "I increased sales in my territory by 15%."
- "I streamlined a process that saved the company 10 hours of work per week."
- "I successfully managed a project that came in 10% under budget."

3. Schedule a Meeting

Asking for a raise is a serious conversation that deserves a dedicated meeting. Don't try to have it in the hallway or at the end of another meeting.

Send your manager a meeting request with a clear but professional subject line, like "Discussion about my role and future at the company" or "Career progression chat." This gives them a heads-up that you want to have a substantive conversation.

4. Prepare Your Script

While you don't want to sound robotic, it's a good idea to have a script or at least some talking points prepared. This will help you stay on track and ensure you make all your key points.

A good script might look like this:

Start with a positive opening: "Thank you for meeting with me. I really enjoy working here and I'm proud of what I've been able to contribute to the team."
State your case: "I wanted to talk about my compensation. Over the past year, I've taken on several new responsibilities, including [mention 1-2 key responsibilities]. I've also had some great results, such as [mention 1-2 of your biggest, quantified achievements]."
Make your ask: "Based on my contributions and my research on the market rate for this role, I would like to request a salary increase to [your desired salary]."
Stop talking. After you make your ask, be quiet and give your manager time to respond.

5. During the Conversation

Stay Calm and Professional: This is a business conversation, not an emotional one. Keep your tone calm, confident, and collaborative.
Be Prepared for Questions: Your manager will likely have questions about your accomplishments and your salary request. Be prepared to answer them clearly and concisely.
Listen: Pay close attention to your manager's response.
If they say yes: Great! Thank them and ask for the details in writing.
If they say no or not right now: Don't get discouraged. Ask for feedback. You can say, "I understand. Could we talk about what I would need to do to earn a raise in the future? Can we set some specific goals and revisit this conversation in six months?"

FAQs

How much of a raise should I ask for? A typical raise is between 3-5%. However, if you're significantly underpaid based on your market research or have taken on a lot of new responsibility, you can ask for more. A request for a 10-20% increase is generally considered reasonable if you can justify it.

What if my manager gets defensive? Stay calm and professional. Reiterate that you're committed to the company and that you're simply trying to ensure that your compensation reflects your contributions and the market value of your role.

Should I have a competing job offer before I ask for a raise? It can be a powerful negotiation tool, but it's also risky. You should only use a competing offer as leverage if you're genuinely prepared to leave if your current employer can't match it. It's better to build your case based on your value to the company, not on an outside offer.

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