How to ask for a raise or promotion

My manager once called me into a conference room for my annual review. She told me that I would be getting a sizable raise and a new title. Why? Well, I was a good worker and I had never asked for a raise or promotion for several years.

The experience may be an example of good things coming to those who wait but it’s important to learn from my mistake. My mistake was never asking for a raise or promotion. While I did eventually get those things, I left money and opportunities on the table by not asking for them.

You’re likely wondering why I didn’t ask for a raise or promotion during those years. It’s a good question. The answer is simple: I didn’t know how to ask for a promotion or raise. I didn’t learn any of that in high school, college, grad school or beyond.?

Do you find yourself in a similar situation? If so, I hope this newsletter will offer you some guidance on how to bring up the topics of raises and promotions with your boss.

The topic is especially important in this tight labor market, when companies are competing for talent. As a result, they’re willing to pay to keep/hire the best employees.

Gianna Prudente , who is my colleague on the job search and careers beat at LinkedIn News, reached out to HR professionals and other experts to learn their advice for bringing up the topics of raises and promotions. While we can’t feature them all in this newsletter, you can read them by clicking here .

Step 1: Do your homework before asking for that raise or promotion.

Excelling in your career often depends on the research you do to understand various situations. It’s commonsense. You wouldn’t want to start on a long road trip without doing at least some preparation or research first, for example.

“Understand where the company currently is financially,” writes Chelsea Jay , who is an employee experience and leadership coach. Knowing the company’s financial health can give you a window into the likelihood of them saying yes to a raise. Additionally, it can give you more confidence that they have the ability to pay you more.

Jay also writes that you should pay attention to a company’s raise and promotion calendar. Knowing that the company usually announces promotions in July would signal that you should start the conversation with your manager several months before that time.

Step 2: Prepare your argument for a raise or promotion.

Once you’ve done your research, you should come up with your rationale for asking for a raise and/or promotion. After all, your manager will likely want to know why you think you deserve more money or seniority.

“First it is important to prepare an outline of your thoughts so you can provide your reasoning in a clear and concise manner,” writes Jen Emmons , who is an HR professional. “Avoid basing this on your years of experience alone or personal reasons.”

If possible, make sure you use quantifiable data to underline your value to the company.

“Have a business case,” writes Dante DiBattista , who is a director of cooperative training.

Similarly, he wrote that you need to create a case for a promotion. “Have a clearly defined role in mind. If that role exists at the company, get a copy of the job description and come prepared to show how you have already been fulfilling those duties.”

The benefit of taking this approach is that you’re also building your confidence as you list your accomplishments and contributions.

Lastly, don’t forget to practice the conversation that you plan to have with your manager.?

“Practice out loud until you feel calm as opposed to awkward,” writes Lora Cheadle , who is a keynote speaker. “You aren't asking, you are advocating. Take that stance.”

Step 3: Start the conversation with your manager for a raise or promotion.

You need to identify the right person to discuss raises and promotions with at work. Most likely, the person is going to be your manager.?

You can bring up the conversation during regularly scheduled check-ins with your manager. If you don’t have regular one-on-one conversations with your manager, you may need to schedule a special meeting with them to bring up the discussion.

Regardless of how you set up the meeting, make sure you are confident and clear about your ask — whether it’s for a raise, promotion or both. Use your research and preparation as a guide.

Step 4: What to do after you ask your manager about a raise or promotion.

A manager will likely not agree to your request for a raise and/or promotion on the spot. Instead, they will likely say that they need to discuss it with other leaders within the organization. Or, they may say they need to look at the proverbial “books.”

While you wait, make sure to keep the channels or communication open with your manager. Send them a thank you note via email for their time and support. Then, let them know you’re available to answer any questions they have about your requests.

The hope is that they will ultimately agree to your requests or —?at least — put you on the path to what you want from the company. However, that will not always be the case. Sometimes, your request will be denied.

“If you are denied, ask what things you need to do or improve on to get to where you want to be,” wrote Stacey M. , who is a director of human resources. “Make them be specific. Get it in writing or follow up with an email that recaps your understanding of the next steps that they gave you.”

When the time is right, bring up the issue again.

As for me, I’ve learned from my mistakes. I make sure I speak up when I would like to move up in my career. Also, I’m fortunate that my current employer encourages regular conversations about our careers and aspirations.

What has been your experience when asking for a raise and/or promotion? Join the conversation .

? What else do you need to know?

• Can you build a successful career from home? One of the fears of remote work has been whether it would stall people’s careers. Yet, experts say it’s possible to thrive while working from home or anywhere but the office. Of course, it’s important for companies to help you along the path as well. Here’s what experts recommend and what people are saying about it .
• Are you reaching your breaking point with your job? A lot is happening in the world right now. All of those global events and everyday life can cause people to burnout at work. If that’s you, author Brad Stulberg suggests embracing groundedness. A lot of his approach is about accepting current challenges and embracing patience. Here’s what people are saying about the approach .
• What should you do if you’re feeling overwhelmed at work? A lot of people start out with manageable amounts of work when they start a job. However, over time that amount can grow and grow. Eventually, you may find your productivity slipping because you’re being buried by work. Here’s something you can do to regain ground and what people are saying about it .

? Invest in yourself

A lot of people are looking outside their organizations as part of The Great Reshuffle. If you’re thinking about making a similar move, don’t forget that there are likely opportunities right in front of you at your current employer. This LinkedIn Learning course can help you understand the options at your current employer. You can watch the course below or by clicking here .

? Coming up…

Work friendships can really make or break jobs. Sometimes those friendships can sustain you through difficult times. They can provide you with information about what’s happening around the company. The benefits are almost endless. However, forging those connections can be difficult when working remotely or in a hybrid environment. We’ll be talking about how to forge those friendships despite the distance in the next edition of #GetAhead. What’s your experience with building work friendships in a hybrid environment? Tell us here .