What's the Best Way to Ask for a Raise?

Answer 1

Asking for a pay raise might not be easy for you, just as it isn't for most. Even if you eventually muster the courage, there are no step-by-step instructions, sure ways of asking or "magic pills" that guarantee your success. However, following the guidelines below might at least increase your chances.

Asking for a Pay Raise Guidelines
Before asking for a pay raise, it's important to know that many companies don't grant pay raises to most employees except during employee-review cycles. Additionally, many companies pay competitive, industry-standard wages, which they periodically adjust for cost of living. If you work for one of these companies and you ask for an "out-of-cycle" pay raise or more than the industry standard for your position, your chances for success are likely to be slim.

Check your employee policy manual (or similar document) for information related to asking for a pay raise. For example, if a policy states how to go about it, then follow it to the letter. But if a policy unconditionally states that your employer will not grant an out-of-cycle pay raise, it might be a good idea to stick it out until your next review and request a better-than-usual pay raise. Asking for such a pay raise will probably go over better than trying to buck the system.

It's not a good idea to justify asking for a pay raise by simply stating, "I need the money." It's a much better idea to prove that you deserve a pay raise, by emphasizing your value to the company. Documenting your accomplishments is a good way to do that. For example, you might include your accomplishments in a "presentation" to show your boss, a "cheat sheet" to refer to while negotiating your pay raise, or a letter asking for an appointment to discuss it. Be specific, use examples, and include impressive things like:
Revenue you've earned
Money you've saved
Customer satisfaction you've achieved
Tight deadlines you've met or beat
Solutions you've implemented
Products or services you've improved
Initiative you've demonstrated
Extra hours you've worked voluntarily


Consider asking for more responsibilities to justify your pay raise. That'll go over better than simply asking for more money, especially if your current responsibilities don't require you to do much above the call of duty and your employer thinks that you're adequately paid.

Command a pay raise, don't demand it. For example, you might tell your boss that you'd like to know what you can do to increase your salary or hourly wage in the near future, instead of insisting on a pay raise for your past accomplishments.

Think twice about threatening to quit if you don't get a pay raise. It rarely works. No matter how valuable you think you are to the company, don't make the mistake of thinking that you're indispensable. Eager beavers willing to learn your job for less pay are almost always waiting in the wings. If you do quit later for lack of a raise, be careful what you say in your resignation letter so it doesn't bite you down the road.

Have a reasonable figure in mind (e.g., from salary surveys) and prepare to negotiate. Be nice but firm when negotiating, and don't get emotional. (Remember, it's business, not personal.) If your employer doesn't grant you a satisfactory pay raise, try negotiating concessions such as performance-based bonuses, or extra paid time off, perks or benefits. Whatever you succeed at negotiating, ask for it in writing with authorizing signatures.

Follow the chain of command when asking for a pay raise. For example, if your immediate boss is a supervisor, don't go over your boss's head to the department manager. Instead, approach your immediate boss first and let him or her tell you the next step.

A meeting is likely to be more effective than a letter asking for a pay raise. A letter is an inflexible, one-way communication, making it easier for your boss to say no. A meeting is a flexible, two-way communication, that will allow you to present your case as required and overcome objections on the spot. However, a letter will allow you to organize your thoughts, accomplishments and such before presenting them. So, you might consider some combination of the two, such as a letter that highlights your accomplishments to justify your request in the same letter for a pay-raise meeting.

Answer 2

First, if you are due a raise, it should be obvious to your boss that you've been performing well and are therefore deserving. So, that makes the process of asking for a raise fairly straight-forward. You should "build a case" to support your request. Collect evidence such as attendence, hours, dedication, work examples, accolades from co-workers, initiatives you took and so on. Everything that you can find that shows you have gone out of your way to work for your employer, well above the average.

Then, collect this information in an organized manner (a binder, perhaps).

Next, schedule a time with your boss for a performance review.

During your review ask constructive questions, such as "Do you have any comments regarding my last project?" or "What do you think about how the last project turned out?" And so on. During the course of your review, reference the items in your binder.

Next, you can subtly bring up the topic of salary increase. "Do you know if is any room for salary increases this year, on account of my performance?" "I feel that I have demonstrated and earned such a raise, wouldn't you agree?"

If your boss won't give you a raise, ask why. This way you can get a list of things you need to do to get one. Then, do those things and come back after a few months and try again.

It also helps to have data about what co-workers and people in your field make. There is a lot of pressure on management for equity in salaries these days, so if you know that you're doing a better job than someone, you should deserve a raise.

Hope that helps!

-Dan Soschin

Answer 3

Ask for a meeting to discuss your compensation package with the person who can make salary changes. Or at the end of a regular evaluation of your work (assuming that it was positive).

Start with what you have specifically contributed to the company. Never ask for more money because of your financial needs. Research what someone with your skills, education and talent is paid in other companies.

Make it clear that you like working here, and you want to continue. But there seems to be a gap between what you are worth (or have contributed) and your compensation.

The employer may offer other benefits, like a company car, instead of a raise. Be prepared to negotiate. If the boss says they can't make any adjustments right now, you have to decide are you ready to work elsewhere. If not, get the boss's offer to adjust your salary later in writing, with a specific deadline.

Bottom line: be ready to leave, if the answer is no. But listen carefully to the reason: Is it because you are really not contributing all that you think you are, did you make major mistakes that cost the company money?

Finally, the best way to insure regular and reasonable raises is to have the power of collective organization: a union. If you can't start or join a union at work, then the boss will get away with whatever they want to pay you.

Answer 4

first, be sure that your request is valid.
some valid reasons for a raise:
-someone was just hired in the EXACT same position making more than you.
-you have had good evaluations and no change in salary.
-you have had good evaluations and little change in salary.
-you have a job offer for the same work making more money.
-you have hit some (VERY) hard times and are looking to the company for some help.
-you are now trainging new employees and there has been not change to your salary.

reasons not to ask for a raise:
-you just think you deserve more money.
-you want to buy a new car and need more money.
-you just started the job and decided you should make more money.
-your friends think you should make more money.

if you have a valid point for asking for a raise, then take that reason and any supporting information with you to your supervisor and point out that you feel you deserve a raise.
be tactful and informative. do not whine, complain, etc. be professional.

example:
"hey, supervisor, could i have a moment of you time to discuss something with you?"
"sure, (your name)."
"o.k. i just wanting to talk to you about the possibility of getting a raise. i have been at this company for 3 years and i have had raises each year, however, "john" was just hired for the exact same position and he is making $1.00 more an hour than i am. i am a little concerned by this. we work the same hours doing the same job and I feel a bit slighted because i ahve more experience here and he is making more than i am."
-now is your sup's chance to explain and either accept or decline your request. be prepared for him/her to ask how much you feel you should be getting paid. this is tricky b/c, obviously, you want to ask for more money, but you want to be sure that it's not too much and not too little. i would suggest taking the difference of your pay and "john's" and increasing maybe .25

- be prepared for a complete shutdown. it's your supervisor's job to protect company assets (i.e. it's money). so, they may shoot you down.
if you feel that it is a major injustice, then go to HR and point it out to them. it's Human resource's job to protect and retain the employees, so they may be more receptive. just know that there's never a guarantee.

the only guarantee is finding another job that pays more.

good luck and take care!

Answer 5

I have 12 employees that work under me and do yearly reviews to help in pay increases. However, if you don't have the luxury of having a review, I highly suggest making sure that the company honors such pay increases in the first place - some do not (oddly enough). But most importantly, you will be more successful to obtain that pay increase by showing confidence when you approach management by delivering the goals and accomplishments you have met. It's best to have some metrics that you have met to refer to. This will help prove your reason for why you are due a pay increase. In many cases, a good manager will recognize that you are already worthy...and unfortunately, that's sometimes what it's about - proving that you are deserving and are worthy of a raise.

Answer 6

To ask for a raise I believe that one should first lay the groundwork for making the request. Be a very good or excellent employee, demonstrate that your continually conscientious, a hard worker, and an asset to the business - someone that an employer can appreciate because your contribution is an obvious benefit. When confident that you've reached that point, it may smooth the way for a convincing request for a pay raise. Good luck. It can happen.

Answer 7

Go in to the meeting with your boss with a positive attitude and give him/her your side of the situation, but don't forget you must have reasons why you think you deserve the raise. For instance: What have you brought in to the company?
Why do you feel your an asset? Set goals on what your going to do for the future of the company, and how your going to help? Take those questions, and some of your own answer them and if you feel you are ready for the raise confront your boss and you just possibly might be on your way to making more money.
Good Luck!!

Answer 8

I would suggest making a list of all of the accomplishments you have made in your position - and possible ways that you are helping the company either making money, saving money, or making work easier for others. Then present those to your boss as you are talking to him/her and mentioning that you enjoy working there, love your job, and want to continue making improvements and either saving/making money. I'm not exactly sure how to bring in the raise issue, but if you're in there talking about all the good things, then the time will come when it will be appropriate.

Good luck!

Answer 9

let your boss know that your yearly review is up and that the last time you got a raise was a year ago...be sure to mention all the good things you have done for the company and why you deserve a raise already........works for me.

Answer 10

Just be nice and politely ask for the raise.