How to Successfully Ask for a Raise (And The Pitfalls To Avoid)

There’s little more anxiety producing in a worker’s life than having to ask for a raise. In general, we don’t like to talk about money, and we certainly aren’t comfortable asking for more of it.

But sometimes, it’s a necessary evil.  If you feel your responsibilities, accomplishments, and track record warrant taking another look at your salary, it’s important to tackle the issue strategically to see the best results. 

There’s a right way and a wrong way to go about everything. When the time comes, keep in mind that this would be the wrong way:

WRONG

• Waiting until your annual review. Depending on how the process works at your company, raises may already have been determined before you walk into your review meeting.
• Not backing up your request with evidence. Saying “I want a raise,” is a bit like a toddler saying, “I want a pony!” — so does everybody else, but that doesn’t mean you’re going to get one just because you want it.
• Shooting too high (or too low) with your request. If your company generally offers a 2% pay rise each year, asking for 10% will seem way out of range. If your boss asks what number you were thinking, and you just say something random, you’re less likely to get it.
• Threatening to leave if you don’t get more money. This can backfire in a big way. Even if your boss capitulates, he may see you as having one foot out the door. And are you really ready to walk away from your job if he calls your bluff?
• Making it all about you. Your boss and your company don’t make salary decisions based on sob stories. They don’t want to hear about your debts, the car repairs you need, or your rent increases.
• Complaining or whinging. Not only is this distasteful, it’s ineffective.
• Freaking out if you get rejected. Getting upset or angry if your boss says no isn’t going to reflect very well on you in the long run.

As you may be able to tell, the wrong-footed person goes in with no plan. A successful salary increase campaign is based on a fair amount of research. 

Here’s what you should do instead:

RIGHT

• Time your request properly. Find out when budgets are set and when decisions about pay increases are made (often 3 or 4 months before reviews) and start the conversation with your boss at that time.
• Bring backup. I’m not talking about a wingman, but rather a specific list of your accomplishments and contributions that you believe back up your request for a raise. Sometimes managers are so busy with their own work that they legitimately don’t know all that you do.
• Do your research. Plan out what number you would like if asked. Understand your company’s pay rise policies if they exist, and have some data about commensurate positions in your area to back up your request. But don’t be the first to throw out a number; wait until your boss asks before volunteering the information.
• Point out what the market rate is for your position. Rather than threatening to leave, say something along the lines of, “I love my work here, but my understanding of the market is that I should be making X amount for the work I do.”
• Make your request about serving the company. Be able to talk about the company’s needs and how you are serving them, rather than your own needs. If you can point out how you are an invaluable asset, you will strengthen your case.
• Stick to the facts. Instead of complaining about your workload or how much you “deserve” a raise, stick to the facts: your accomplishments, your responsibilities, the market, etc.
• Handle rejection with grace. If your boss says no, realise that it may or may not be about you. Ask what you can do to improve your chances next time and if the two of you can revisit the discussion in another six months.

None of this should frighten you off asking for a pay rise; on the contrary, if you go in armed with the right information, you should feel much more confident of your chances. 

I hope that was useful? What other advice would you give to someone asking for a pay rise? What should they NEVER do? I’d love for you to add your thoughts to the discussion in the comments below.

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Thank you for reading my post. I regularly write about management, technology 
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Bernard Marr is a bestselling business author and is globally recognized as an expert in strategy, performance management, analytics, KPIs and big data. His new book is 'Big Data - Using Smart Big Data, Analytics and Metrics To Make Better Decisions and Improve Performance'. You can read a free sample chapter here.

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