When to Ask for a Raise?

Good employers will know when your salary should increase as a reward for great work. Sometimes, however, you might feel you are due a pay rise that has not arrived. Asking for a raise can be a tricky conversation. For example, you do not want to come across as too arrogant or demanding, nor give the impression that you are ungrateful. Sometimes the response to a raise will be a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ regardless of how you present your case. If your boss is open to persuasion, however,good preparation and research can make all the difference.

The first and most difficult step in asking for a raise starts by approaching your boss in the first place. This can be more difficult as an expat, as perhaps the corporate culture is different than you expect in your own country.As Diana Faison, a partner with leadership development firm Flynn Heath Holt Leadership, puts it: “You want to be able to demonstrate how you add value and how you have made a difference to the company”. Putting yourself in the shoes of your boss will help you decide on what you should include in your argument.

Get to grips with the facts. See if your company is doing well financially. Carry out some research on the typical salaries in your field, so you can see if you are earning less than the going rate. Websites such asO*Net Online publish median salaries for a variety of occupations. Other reliable indicators of your worth in the marketplace include GlassDoor, the HR Department of your company and your professional network. Make a list of your key contributions to the firm that places you in the best light. Once you have all the information, pick the right time to approach your boss. Timing is everything. For instance, you want to try to avoid stressful periods in the company. Making it personal is also to be avoided, as whether you deserve a raise has to do with your occupational worth, and not your private life.

As mentioned, asking for a raise can be a delicate topic. As in most situations, being prepared is vital. A ‘no’ answer might not be the worst that could happen. It could potentially damage your career or undermine your relationship with your boss, if you are not careful. At the same time, if you feel you are long overdue a pay increase and no offer is forthcoming, then asking the question is inevitable. If your request is rejected, and the boss gives a reason that you deem fair, then it might be a motivator to turn things around. If you deem it unfair, you might consider moving to where you will be more appreciated. Whatever the result, if you have done your research, you will know if the time is right.

Adam Watson

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