Being well paid for their time and talent is essential for many hardworking and ambitious professionals’ career progression. However, for many employees, requesting a pay increase remains a difficult task. Be assured, however, that there are steps you can take to improve the chances of receiving the raise you deserve. Here are seven simple ways to ask for a raise at work that will help you get the raise you deserve.
1. Be Open About Your Ambitions
You must articulate yourself clearly and solicit feedback. Don’t expect your boss to be able to read your mind. Instead, create direct contact lines and state clearly that you want to be promoted and paid appropriately.
Too often, workers mistakenly believe their boss knows what they want when, in reality, they don’t. As a result, speak up and ask for what you want. That will show your manager how serious you are about your request and how dedicated you are to the company.
2. Go Ahead and Blow Your Own Horn
As shameless as it may seem, being your own public relations team is crucial when it comes to promoting your achievements. It’s not enough to meet or surpass expectations; you also need to let the powers that be know when you’ve done so.
Many professionals are reluctant to publicize their achievements due to false humility, and as a result, they can be taken for granted. Allowing this to happen to you is not a good idea. Instead, please share what you’ve done ahead of time so that management can decide when it’s time to promote and financially compensate you.
3. Take On More Duties
Go above and beyond your current job description and start completing your future self’s obligations if you want your salary to fit your responsibilities.
To do so, you’ll need to manage your time wisely and ensure that your activities are consistent with your organization’s key goals and tactics.
4. Do Your Research
Before engaging in a salary negotiation, you must do the necessary research about your role and compensation to be on solid footing. It would help if you commanded how the current and future market likely values your role and responsibilities. Having this background information will make your case more interesting and provide you with realistic expectations in your negotiation.
Refer to platforms like Glassdoor, PayScale, and Salary.com, in assessing the marketplace. Understand that it’s better to give a precise number for your salary requirements rather than a range. In other words, instead of asking for compensation between $55,000-$65,000, ask precisely for $60,000. Managers will be more receptive to specific figures rather than estimates.
5. Practice Your Pitch
You can’t just improvise in asking for a raise; you’ll need to practice your pitch. The more you practice, the better you’ll get at looking credible in your submission.
Try to foresee questions your boss may ask you during your training. It’s like going on an interview for a new job. You might also role-play with a colleague or acquaintance who has recently earned a raise to better prepare yourself for the conversation.
6. Talk About the Future
Managers weigh loyalty and investment when deciding on pay increases and associated promotions. Make sure you share your dedication to the company. Begin your salary negotiation by emphasizing your commitment to the business and how much you enjoy working together.
Try volunteering for a project or implementing one to help the company and your boss understand your contribution. Describe how the initiative can help the business prosper and be more successful.
7. Accept Rejection as a Fact of Life
While it will be painful at first, don’t let a negative response to your salary increase request bring you down. Don’t assume that just because you get a “no” at first, the chances of getting a raise are nil.
See it as an opportunity to set up a performance assessment and specific targets for a raise before the next annual review instead. This will show your commitment to the business and your career, raising the probability and pace at which you will earn the raise you deserve.
Consider other forms of compensation, such as extra holiday time, business benefits, and professional training help. Remember that some of the brightest business minds excel when confronted with challenges.
If you’re ready to take your business to the next level of success, think about how you can better illustrate to your employers that you deserve a raise. You will improve the chances of promotion and job satisfaction by using these seven strategies.
