How to ask for a raise

Imagine this scenario: you've been working in a company for two years. You've managed to keep yourself afloat, while also helping the company out. You see yourself going above and beyond the boundaries of your responsibilities. Perhaps it's time that your good behaviour is rewarded, or so you think.

Perhaps there are other incentives for wanting a raise as well: your situation at home has changed, you're looking to earn greater savings. Regardless of this, the strategy is still the same. You'll need to ask for a raise.

However, you can't expect management to notice your hard work, and expct them to pay it forward. You need to negotiate this raise. We'll be presenting a checklist of all the things you'll need to do before you ask for a raise, as well as how you should handle the meeting.

First step: preparation

Your first step should be to make note of the projects you've worked in, what you've given to these projects, how you've ultimately succeeded in doing. Have you made progress with sales? Make a note of that! Perhaps you have figures indicating your productivity in a particular project. In addition to this, collect any piece of positive feedback you've got regarding your conduct in work. In terms of the negotiation of your raise, this'll be the bulk of your evidence in your favour. You've be showing what you've given the company on an individual basis.

The next step is to find out what you are looking for. The type of raise you are looking for is a maerit-based raise. In general, this means a 1-5% increase in your pay, given the average range of this type of raise. Though, you must consider all the different factors that can affect where you call in that range. You can not expect to get a 5% increase by only doing the bare minimum that your job demands from you. However, by going above and beyond (and being able to prove that) you may even be able to stretch to a 6% pay increase.

This is where you will need to be critical of yourself. You'll need to know how your work reflects your work behaviour. This will also require you to know how much more you can offer to the company. If you can see areas where your merits are high, bring that point up, and make a note of how much better you could be at this area. A better move is to find out where your company is ultimately lacking. Find out what your company needs. When you can figure out how you can help them in that capacity, make a concrete connection between your work and the success of the company. This will make your request stronger, and it shows the level at which you care about your workplace.

Second step: the meeting

Setting up the meeting with your boss on this topic is possibly the most daunting aspect. You'll need to make it explicit that this is what you're going to talk about when you schedule a private meeting with your boss. By this point, you should have collected all the information you require; you only need to convince your boss that it is worth it.

As such, you'll need to be ready to talk. You have your information, so present it! Take a moment to realise the line of argumentation you'll be taking, and make sure there are no holes in your reasoning. You won't need to position yourself against your boss if you can present a compelling argument that leads them to agree with you.

The biggest mistake that is made at this point is complaining. If your arguments sound like you're whinging about your scenario, cut it. Never mention how you've not had a raise in years, or how you're doing twice as much work as everyone else. If you are doing twice as much work, then there is not reason to mention it! Show it through your evidence and your arguments, not through a blank statement.

However, one area you can use as additional information are work-related expenses. If there are areas which cost you, and they relate to work, then they can be mentioned, though even then, only as a footnote, and never as your core argument.

Third step: Making commitment

The presentation is done, you're now hearing from your boss. If it a yes? Will they say no?

Regardless of what the answer is, ask for feedback. When asking for a pay raise, you're exchanging commitments between you and your boss. Show your sincerity by expressing interest in the areas you were weakest in, and the areas you were strongest in. Although you should certainly go into the negotiations with a mindset of sucess and confidence that your evidence is strong enough to support your claim, be prepared for denial. In this case, you should still ask for feedback. Ask yout bosses what you'll need to do to make that no a yes.

In addition to this, you should ask to revisit the topic in a few months. Have your manager commit to a second meeting in some months on their calander. This'll help you get back into negotiations as smoothly as possible.

Finally, remain calm. It's stressful business, asking for a raise. It's not easy. But leading yourself into stress is not the way forward. You'll need a clear, objective head for this. After you clear your head, you'll need to start doing some research. You've been working, so it's time to find the results of what you've done for the company.

By: Alexander Morrison