How to ask for a pay rise

Talking about money is something many of us feel uncomfortable about which can make working out how to ask for a pay rise tricky.

Yet whilst you might be willing to let off a mate who borrowed a tenner because you feel awkward asking for it back, you shouldn’t be willing to settle for being paid less than your worth just because you don’t want to talk about your salary with your boss.

Of course, your company may not always be able to give you a pay rise, but that shouldn’t stop you from asking altogether. Plus, there may be other benefits they can offer as a substitute. Here are some tips to help you get over the awkwardness of it all and broach the subject with your boss.

#1 Know how much you’re worth

Before even asking your boss for a meeting, you should work out how your salary compares to similar roles in the market. You can start by searching for roles with the same or similar job titles to yours. This will give you an idea of the salary range you could expect if you moved elsewhere.

#2 Choose your timing wisely

Timing is key as there can be periods in the year where you will be much more likely to get your request granted. For example, asking before new budgets being set gives you a much better chance than asking when they’ve been mostly spent.

You should also consider your boss’ schedule and choose a time when they are likely to be under the least amount of stress possible. You should know when busy periods are or what big projects your team have coming up so try to avoid asking during these.

#3 Have the conversation in person (or via video call)

You might be tempted to jot down your request in an email and send it to your boss, but this is not a great way to approach it. This is an important conversation so you should do it in person or over video call if you’re working remotely.

Whilst it can be more difficult to work up the courage to ask in person, your boss is much more likely to respect the fact that you’re prepared to do so rather than hiding behind an email.

#4 Prepare a script

Preparing a script ahead of the conversation will help you organise the points you want to make.

Set out a compelling case of why you’re worth more than your current salary, highlighting your successes, the value you bring to the business and how you want to progress in the future.

Just remember that this is a conversation and not a presentation so use your script as more of a guide to prompt you during the discussion than a monologue to read out.

#5 Practice beforehand

Even if you’re naturally confident, it can be awkward to talk about your accomplishments so try to head off your nerves by practising with a friend, family member or even a colleague you are comfortable with.

When practising, think about your delivery. Nerves can make you talk faster but you want to speak slowly and deliberately. When it comes to the meeting itself, don’t feel like you have to fill every silence. Just wait for your manager to respond rather than rambling on.

#6 Offer to provide more information or evidence

It’s unlikely that your manager is able to sign off on your raise on their own. They will likely have to present a business case to the people who sit higher on the chain of command so offer to provide anything they might need to do this.

#7 Be prepared to take on extra work

Conversations around salary increases are very rarely just a case of a yes or no, so be prepared for a negotiation. This may include you being asked to take on some extra responsibility if your boss feels that your current workload is just falling shy of qualifying for what you’re asking for.

#8 Avoid giving ultimatums

Telling your boss that you’ll quit if you don’t get the pay rise you feel you deserve might seem like a good way to force their hand but it’s a dangerous situation to put yourself in.

No one likes being backed into a corner and even if you get what you want it could sour your relationship with your boss. There’s also the risk that they still turn down your request, putting you in the position of either having to follow through on your threat or stay and work in a bad atmosphere.

#9 If it’s a no, deal with it gracefully

You should be prepared to receive some resistance and whilst you should fight your corner, it’s important to know when to give up.

If your employer has made it clear that they would like to grant your request but just don’t have the funds, you can try negotiating for other benefits such as more flexible working options, more access to training or some extra annual leave.

Remember that getting a ‘no’ just now doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t get a ‘yes’ in future. Just be wary of asking too often. If you’re still happy in the role, it’s probably best to wait about a year before asking again.

However, if you feel the reasons for your request being turned down are unjustified or that your employer is deliberately underpaying you, it might be time to start looking for a new, better-paid role elsewhere.

Ready to move on from your current job? Find a job that pays what you’re worth at jobs24.com.

Posted on July 23, 2021