How To Ask for a Raise…and Get It

You’ve been at your company a considerable time and you’ve been working exceptionally hard, but now you’re becoming concerned that your financial position just isn’t matching up to your efforts. It’s time to ask for a pay rise. 

But just because you feel deserving of a raise, it doesn’t always necessarily mean you’re going to get one.

 

If like many employees, your boss hasn’t exactly been forthcoming with recognising your achievements, take the time to think about the following 5 steps, as they may just help you get the result you want (and deserve!).

 

After all, going in unprepared could just leave you with a far bigger problem than the one you went in with…

 

Find Out Equivalent Salaries in Your Field



 

Take some time to do some research on how much others in the same industry are getting paid.

 

The internet provides a number of useful salary calculators which help to work out what you should be getting paid relative to your current salary.  However, it’s important to bear in mind factors such as a company’s size, level and even location when assessing salaries. 

It’s also important to remember that figures found online may be out of date.

 

Therefore, you could take a look at national job boards to give you a more current indication of salaries being offered to prospective employees today.  Searches can also be narrowed down to your local area. For example, typing in ‘jobs in Peterborough’ will allow you to see some available jobs and the starting salaries, similar to yours within that particular location.

Find Out How Much You Yourself Could Earn



 

Although survey calculators are great indicators of average salaries within a particular profession, they aren’t specific to individuals. Salaries are often dependent on a number of important factors. To get a more realistic figure, you should work out the number of years you’ve not only worked for your current employer, but also the length of time you’ve been working in that particular field.

 

Evaluate the Financial Position of Your Employer



 

As today’s financial and economic climate is in recession, it’s important to carefully assess the timing of your request. 

If your company is going through a series of lay-offs or redundancies, it’s probably wise to wait little before you spring your request upon your boss.

If your company’s financial position looks positive, also take time to assess the timing of your request. Who’s likely to be happy about giving someone more money first thing on a Monday morning or after a stressful meeting? They’re only human after all…

 

Prepare a Good Case for Yourself



 

Keep a level head when you decide to approach your boss and take that dreaded step into the office. Approach the situation as you would for an interview for a new job. Present yourself well, sell yourself to the maximum and state the reasons behind your request professionally.

 

Prepare a ‘Plan B’

 



Before you approach the situation head on, think carefully about what you’ll do if your request is rejected or you’re offered something far under what you were expecting. 

Will you leave all together, or will you assess the outcome and wait a while before asking again? 

Either way, it’s important not to get emotional or threaten to quit on the spot. Adding drama will only worsen the situation and will show that you’re not committed to the company (nor are you deserving of that wanted pay rise!).

 

This article was written by Kathryn Thompson, an experienced careers writer. Kathryn specialises in providing jobs advice for individuals.

 

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