Most people feel uncomfortable just thinking about asking their boss for a raise. If your company doesn’t give raises every year and you’re not being considered for a promotion, you may have to ask for the raise you know you earn. Asking for a raise is acceptable, and most managers and owners care about their employees.
Even though the process seems scary and awkward, it doesn’t have to be if you know how to ask your boss for a raise. If you do your homework and have facts ready, you’ll feel more comfortable starting the talk.
Here are 5 tips to ask for a pay raise from your employers:
1. Write down what you’ve done in the last six months, the previous year, and since you’ve been working for the company.
Explain how your successes have helped your department and the company, and if you can, give specific numbers and figures. For example, you could say:
“I brought in 5,000 leads for the company last year, which is 8% more than the year before. There was $58,000 in new business as a result.”
When numbers like that are given, it’s hard for a boss to refuse a request. The more proof you can provide that you earn a raise, the stronger your case will be.
You can also show that you are a loyal worker by showing what you have done for the company and how hard you have worked to help it. When you have dedicated workers, your boss will trust you, which will help your case.
2. You should know a reasonable salary for your job.
On sites like Salary.com and PayScale, you can get a free salary report to see how your present salary compares to others in similar positions. LinkedIn is also a great place to look for this. You can look at job postings on the site or use the average pay ranges that LinkedIn puts on job postings.
Think about the area you work in, the size of your company, and the benefits you get. Some companies don’t pay well, so it’s best to talk to experts about hiring when possible. If you know any local recruiters or hiring managers (maybe through LinkedIn), ask them to review your resume and give you a realistic pay goal based on your job and experience.
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3. Explain what’s in it for your boss.
Remember that your boss doesn’t care about your salary or the trip you want to take. What matters to your boss is what’s in it for them. You’ve already told them what you’ve done for the company, but now you want to tell them what you will do next. Show them your goals, how they will help the company, and how you plan to reach them.
4. Be confident.
Be sure of yourself when you ask for a raise. Yes, it’s scary, but you have evidence to support your request, like the reasons you gave for it and your study on comparable salary ranges. Be ready for some pushback, and know that the answer could be no. If you get the raise, you should be prepared to keep working hard (or even harder). You know you should get a raise, so show your boss you earn it.
5. Ask for what you want in writing.
Chances are, your boss has a boss with whom they will need to talk about your wish for more money or a raise. Give them a sheet that explains your request, similar pay ranges, and the benefits your work brings to the business.
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Anisa is a writer who focuses on career and lifestyle topics in an effort to motivate both job searchers and employers towards greater fulfillment in their professional lives.
Reach me at anisa@jobstore.com.