How to Successfully Advocate for Yourself: A Guide to Engaging Your Manager When Asking for a Raise

A study published in the Harvard Business Review found that employees who ask for a raise are more likely to receive one, especially if they frame their request in terms of the value they bring to the organization. The study also found that employees who negotiate for better pay tend to be more satisfied with their jobs, even if they don't get everything they ask for (Chung & Park, 2020).

When asking for a raise, it's important to engage with your audience, which in this case is likely your employer or manager. Here are some tips and tricks to help you engage effectively:

Prepare and present your case: Before you ask for a raise, take the time to prepare a detailed case that outlines your contributions to the company and why you deserve a raise. Be specific and use metrics or examples to support your claims. When presenting your case, be confident, professional, and concise.

The metrics you use while presenting your case need to demonstrate your added-value to the company. Depending on your position in the company you could underline one or more of the following:

• Generated revenue: If this is one of your responsibilities, you can use it to demonstrate your value. Be sure to quantify the amount of revenue that you generated and provide specific examples of deals, projects and numbers.
• Cost savings: In the case you have been responsible for implementing cost-saving measures, of if you managed to find such a solution not specifically related to you daily responsibilities, you should quantify the amount of money you saved the company and provide specific initiatives and projects you were involved in, and also numbers.
• Productivity: Quantify your increased productivity or your team’s and offer clear examples of tasks or projects that you have completed on time/ahead of deadlines.
• Customer satisfaction: here you can talk about the positive feedback you received from customers, as well as any improvements in client retention or loyalty.
• Performance metrics: You can also use any relevant performance metrics that are tracked by the company you work for, to demonstrate your value. Here are a few examples: project completion rates, sales targets, customer service metrics. Don’t forget about concrete examples.

Use a friendly and confident tone: When asking for a raise, it's important to use a tone that is both friendly and confident. A friendly tone will help to create a positive atmosphere and show that you value your employer or manager. A confident tone will help to demonstrate that you are serious and believe that you deserve a raise.

Use metaphors: Metaphors can be a powerful way to engage with your audience and help them understand your perspective. For example, you might compare your contributions to the company to the foundation of a building, emphasizing how important your work is to the success of the company. Or you might use a sports metaphor, such as "I'm ready to take my game to the next level," to show your determination and commitment to your work.

Be careful not to overdo it: While metaphors can be effective, it's important not to overdo it. Using too many metaphors or using ones that are too complex can make it difficult for your manager to understand your point. Keep it simple and use metaphors sparingly in order to make a point.

Listen actively: Engaging with your manager also means listening to their responses and feedback. Be open to hearing the perspective of your manager and be prepared to address any concerns or questions they may have. This shows that you value their input and are willing to work collaboratively towards a solution.

Be respectful: When asking for a raise, it's important to maintain a respectful tone and approach. Avoid making demands or ultimatums, and instead, frame the conversation as a discussion where both parties can work together to find a solution.

• DO: “Hi [Manager's Name], I hope you're doing well today. I wanted to have a quick conversation with you about my compensation. I've been really enjoying my work here and have been putting in a lot of effort to help the company succeed. I feel that my contributions have been valuable and that I've been performing at a high level. Based on this, I wanted to discuss the possibility of a raise. I'm confident that I can continue to bring value to the company and would appreciate your consideration in this matter.”
• DON’T: "Hey, boss, we need to talk. I'm getting really frustrated with my salary here. I've been working my butt off and I feel like I'm not being compensated fairly. I mean, seriously, do you even realize how much work I'm doing around here? I don't think you do. I deserve a raise, plain and simple. So, what's it going to be: a raise or my resignation?"

Highlight your future potential: In addition to your past contributions, it's also important to underline your future potential and how a raise will help you to continue to grow and contribute to the company.

Follow up: Finally, after the conversation, be sure to follow up with a thank-you email or note, and continue to engage with your employer or manager on a regular basis to demonstrate your commitment to the company and your ongoing progress towards your goals.

?But why try so hard when asking for a raise?

? Explaining your value when asking for a raise can be beneficial for several reasons. Firstly, it can provide your employer or manager with concrete evidence of your contributions to the company, which may increase their willingness to consider your request. Secondly, it can demonstrate your commitment to the company and your desire to continue contributing to its success. Thirdly, it can help ensure that any raise you receive is in line with the value you provide to the company.

A survey conducted by PayScale in 2020 found that 75% of employees who asked for a raise received some form of pay increase. The survey also revealed that employees who were able to effectively communicate their value to their employer, such as by highlighting their accomplishments and contributions to the company, were more likely to receive a raise than those who simply asked for one without providing any context or justification (PayScale, 2020).

?????Also, a study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology found that employees who believe they are underpaid are more likely to experience burnout and job dissatisfaction. The study also found that employees who feel that their pay is fair and equitable are more likely to have a positive attitude toward their job and be committed to their employer (Kim et.al., 2021).

Overall, the benefits of explaining your value when asking for a raise make it a strategy that is well worth considering.

References

• Chung, K., & Park, H. (2020). How to Negotiate for Your Next Salary. Harvard Business Review, 98(2), 114-123.
• Kim, T. Y., Cable, D. M., & Kim, S. P. (2021). Too Little, Too Late: The Effect of Underpayment on Burnout and Work Outcomes. Journal of Applied Psychology, 106(1), 26-40.
• PayScale. (2020). PayScale's 2020 Compensation Best Practices Report. Retrieved from https://www.payscale.com/data/compensation-best-practices-report-2020
• Robert Half. (2021). Robert Half 2021 Salary Guide