Many of us are worth more than what we earn, but don’t know how to ask for a pay rise.
We are afraid of appearing over-confident and are reluctant to risk rejection.
To combat the teeth-chattering nervousness brought on by confrontations with your boss, we have compiled these nine pointers aimed at helping anyone survive the pay negotiation process – whatever the outcome!
Here’s how to ask for a pay rise.
1) Know what you want
Before you confront your boss about a pay rise, make sure you know exactly how much you feel you are worth – and why you are worth it. Research the average pay of someone with the same qualifications in your field and locality, and be ready to justify why your present pay isn’t sufficient. Look back at your past accomplishments and map out your future goals. You will need to sell yourself to your boss and demonstrate that you are worth the extra money in the long run. Knowing how to ask for a pay rise comes down to confidence and preparation.
2) Frame your request in terms of the business – not your own needs
When arguing your eligibility for a pay rise, focus your justification on the business side of things rather than your personal situation. Although any extenuating circumstances at home may make you needier of a pay rise than your co-workers, your financial position is ultimately not your boss’s problem. What is of importance from the company’s perspective is your contribution to the business, so keep all reasoning strictly professional.
3) Make sure the time is right
Before setting up a meeting with your boss, examine the state of the business itself. Is it presently making a profit? Does the future of the business look good? When is the company’s budget review? Most employers are more likely to renegotiate pay rates at the end of a financial year, the end of the calendar year or just prior to their annual budget. You will also need to time your request at a moment when your value to the business is obvious – perhaps you have recently pulled a big client or made an important sale. Often, timing is key.
4) Negotiate with a person who has power
While this may seem obvious, it needs to be said – make sure that your discussion takes place with a superior who has direct capacity to make a change to your pay rate. There is no use setting up a meeting with a manager who has to refer to a higher authority to negotiate wages, since the persuasiveness of your argument will inevitably be lost in translation. Even if you succeed in convincing your manager, the best they will be able to offer you is the promise that they will “see what they can do”. Keep the communication lines direct by going straight to the top.
5) Be clear about your intentions
When setting up a meeting with your boss, be up front about your intention to discuss your salary. This warning will give your boss a greater likelihood of approaching the meeting with an open mind, since they won’t feel surprised or pressured. It will also present you as a direct and motivated person who is out to get what they want. In asking for a pay rise, you need to be confident and assured of yourself to make others confident in you!
6) Look the part
We all know to dress well for a job interview, but can forget this rule when we have already secured a place in a company. If you meet to ask for a pay rise or promotion, dress for the level or position you want – not the position you presently have. By dressing well, you will immediately show your boss that you mean business, and will sell yourself as a person capable of fulfilling the role’s requirements.
7) Don’t use another job offer or a threat to quit as leverage
The worst mistake you can make in pay negotiations is to use an ultimatum like, “If I don’t get a raise I will quit” – nine times out of ten you will end up without a job! This form of manipulation will make you appear disloyal to the company, and present any comments on how much you enjoy and thrive in your present position as insincere. Employers prefer a person who is open, direct and up front about where they stand. Honesty and integrity – that’s how to ask for a pay rise.
8) Come prepared with an alternative
Knowing how to ask for a pay rise necessitates a willingness to compromise. We can never be sure of how our request for a pay rise will be handled, so it is a good idea to think of some alternatives. Are there extra courses you can take through the company to further your qualifications? Is there a seminar that you would like to attend to further your experience and increase you eligibility for a raise in the future? By being flexible in this regard, you will demonstrate to your boss that you are invested in the business and being the best employee you can – not just in making as much money as you can!
9) Be ready for rejection
While you may present a compelling argument for a raise, sometimes there just isn’t enough spare money in the business kitty to make it possible. Don’t take rejection as a personal attack – instead, view it as an opportunity to gain some constructive criticism on where to improve your own performance as an employee, and to reschedule a review of your pay in 6-12 months. After your meeting, it is also a good idea to send a follow-up email thanking your boss for their time – not only will this present you as a respectful employee, but also give you and your boss a point from which to calculate when your next meeting should be.
If you are unsatisfied by your prospects of a pay rise, it may be worth re-evaluating your position at your current job. Do you enjoy it enough to be happy with your present role? If not, then it may be time to consider applying elsewhere.
Need more information on how to ask for a pay rise? See this guide from Career One.
And if all else fails, burn the place down, shirk all responsibility and become a gypsy. Their lives aren’t so bad, right?
The Clarity Road Team
