Welcome to 2021 where we ask for what we want without fear and are intentional about steps for growth. Today, we will be discussing the dreaded topic ” How to ask for a raise”. I know this is daunting to even think about especially for us women as you know there is a disparity in pay scales. And yes! That still exists! If you are thinking of approaching your boss for a raise read below for our helpful tips.
Before you ask for a raise
Before you even think about asking for a raise, you must ask yourself if you are even qualified. In order to qualify for a raise, you must be employed by the company for a year + and be a permanent employee. You should also factor in, work attendance – are you one of those employees who go missing during hard projects? Are you reliable? These are just a few things to consider before asking for a raise.
And now some facts
Surprisingly, given how much most of us appreciate money, a ton of people have never asked for a higher salary because they feel awkward about initiating the conversation, or they’re worried about sounding greedy or entitled, or they’re just not sure how to ask for a raise at all.
But asking for a raise is a very normal part of having a job, and if you avoid doing it out of discomfort, you’re potentially giving up a significant amount of money — just to avoid a conversation that could be as short as five minutes.
5 Ways to ask for a Raise More Confidently
Now that we’ve explained all the things to consider, let’s finally jump into it.
- Be Intelligent about your timing. I don’t know if you’ve realized, but we are in the middle or (tail end) of a pandemic that had a negative impact on most businesses. If you work for a small company that relies on how many clients you bring in on a monthly basis you might want to consider asking at a later time. I would say, ride the wave until about March and if things are steady and have picked up, go ahead and ask.
- Prepare to hear No: You have to be real and know that the possibility of your employer saying “NO” is real but that should not deter you. As it is often said “closed mouths never get fed” so if you really want something go for it and still prepares for “NO” while always hoping for a “Yes”.
- It is Normal to Ask: Here in Jamaica, anything regarding money is still considered taboo. Nobody likes to talk about money much more ask for more of it. Given that you have worked at the company for a year, it is completely normal to ask for a raise in fact it is your duty to ask for it without feeling weird. If you’ve received a raise in the last 12 months, you will definitely get a resounding no as you will come off as out of tough and a tad greedy.
- Consider your Company’s Raise Cycle: Does your company have a “Raise Cycle”? If you are not sure, visit HR! A Raise cycle is how often employees are given raises- Is it every year? 2 years or even 5 years? Visit HR and ask about this and if the company has a handbook be sure to read through so you are familiar with raises and more. If you work for a small company that does not have HR go directly to the boss and ask how often raises are done and if you qualify.
- Be Prepared: As humans, we love to say use the expression, “because we deserve it” however no one owes us anything and we are certainly not entitled to anything – not even raises. Once you considered all the things mentioned above, your next step is to be prepared. Set up a meeting, dress the part, and come with the facts. Was there a project you headed that saw great results? Did you solve long-standing issues within the company? Come with your receipts and roll them out in a professional manner and be succinct. There is no need for small talk in this case as you are there to get a raise, not look for a best friend.
If you have gotten to this point and still not sure how to ask for a raise here is a sample below:
“I’m hoping we can talk about my salary. It’s been a year since my last raise (or since I have been here), and I’ve taken on a number of new responsibilities since then. I’m managing all our copywriters and was even able to smooth out that long-running issue with the design team, which ended up saving us a ton of time in the last few months. I think things are going really well, and I’d like to talk about increasing my salary to reflect this new work.” – The Cut
Have you ever asked for a raise? Let me know how it went in the comments section below.
#5 Ways to ask for a Raise More Confidently
#5 Ways to ask for a Raise More Confidently
#5 Ways to ask for a Raise More Confidently
#5 Ways to ask for a Raise More Confidently
#5 Ways to ask for a Raise More Confidently
