How To Level Up and Ask for A Pay Raise

If you’re giving your 9-5 job your all, a pay raise should be right up your alley (Unless your manager is a villain). What’s the point of waking up early, working your butt off at work and making sacrifices for your job if you’re going to be stuck receiving the same payment every month for years? You deserve a raise, and you need to know how to ask for one.
Here are some tips:

Get Your Timing Right

Remember those times when you were younger and wanted to ask for some cash from your parents? You had to strategize and plan, correctly choosing the time to approach them, right? Well, you have to use the same approach when asking for a raise.
Acquaint yourself with the company’s policy, so you can bring it up and plan your meeting around the period. Make sure you go when your manager is in a good mood. Also, you can bring it up during your performance review, employment anniversary, or after you’ve completed a project.

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Arm Yourself With Valid Reasons

You should only ask for a raise if you are eligible and deserving of one. Employers won’t give you a pay raise if they don’t have a valid reason to do so. Highlight specific and recent accomplishments you have brought to the company. Remember that article on keeping track of your work accomplishments? This is an excellent time to revisit it. Provide enough data and recall your awards to demonstrate how you have been able to add value to the company.

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Make A Good Presentation

If you’ve scheduled a one-on-one meeting to make your presentation, you need to make it a good one. You don’t need to make a PowerPoint presentation. Be confident, assertive and polite when having the conversation. After clearly stating your reasons for demanding a raise, share your goals, plans and aspirations for your role in the company and indicate your desired amount. Here’s an example of a great way to begin your conversation: ‘I would love to discuss my salary. Over the past year, I’ve completed numerous projects and taken on some new responsibilities, and I think my salary should reflect this…’

Other Important Things To Note

• Do Your Research: Have an idea of how much your counterparts in your industry are earning; it will give you an idea of the amount you should ask for. You can bring it up in the meeting by saying: “I have done some industry research and I’m aware that an individual in my current role and with my level of experience should be making_______’
• Do Not Threaten to Quit: You don’t want to come off as rude or unreasonable. Don’t give your employer an ultimatum, threatening to quit if your request isn’t granted.
• Don’t Use Office Gossip As A Weapon: You might be desperate for a raise. However, it’s advisable to avoid putting your colleague down to get your request granted. Avoid saying things like: ‘I’m aware Ada makes more money than I do, even though I work harder than her’. This puts you in a bad light.
• Be Positive: If your request isn’t granted, don’t get spiteful or hateful. Keep your head high and keep working hard. You can ask ‘What do I need to do to get a raise’ or ‘How soon can I get a raise?’ This gives your employer the impression that you are enthusiastic and optimistic.

Good luck!

Have you ever asked for a raise? Share your experience and advice with us!