Negotiating A Raise

Asking for a raise can sometimes be complicated business, especially if you’ve never done it before. Even though requesting a raise is a common practice, it can feel daunting every single time. What to say? How much to ask for? What to do if your employer says no? Here are some tips and tricks for asking for a raise!

Raise Request Tip 1: Know Before You Go

Before going to your employer to ask for a raise, make sure you know how much you’re going to ask for. To do this, consider your own financial needs and how long you have been with the company. You’ll want to wait a minimum of six months before asking, as any time before lowers the chances of obtaining a raise in the future. 

How do you know what is an appropriate ask?

• Knowing how much those around you make can make it much easier to advocate for higher pay. Determining who gets paid more and why will help strengthen your case as to why you deserve more as well. It’s okay if you don’t have a specific number in mind, but knowing what positions similar to yours makes can assist you in negotiation.
• You can also use a tool like salary.com to find similar positions' average pay rates in your area, and even adjust for your own experience to get a better idea of what you might request.  We even have a video that will walk you through the most important components of using the salary.com's tools.

Raise Request Tip 2: Build Your Case

Before asking to meet with your employer, make sure you’ve outlined to yourself your successes at work and rehearse what you’re going to say.

• Be specific about your accomplishments by using concrete examples.
• Focus on the things you have accomplished, rather than the time that you have been with the company.
• Let your coworkers know what you’re planning, as support from fellow employees can help build your case. Coworkers can vouch for your work performance, be a source of support, and can be used as references. (And, in the rare case that your employer reacts negatively to the conversation of a raise, this support network can also be helpful in establishing the facts in an employment dispute.)

Raise Request Tip 3: Time and Place Matter

The way you ask for a raise is important. You want to stay professional, while also making your wants clear, and that can only happen if you have your boss's full and undivided attention. Consider the following when deciding how to request time with your boss for the conversation.

• You’ll want to talk to your employer alone, and preface the discussion by explicitly stating that you have something important to discuss.
• Wait for the optimal situation. Avoid asking your manager while they’re obviously busy or stressed, and make sure that your place of work isn’t busy.
• Setting a specific meeting date beforehand is often the best way to go, as it gives you time to prepare.
• It may also be useful to contact your HR department beforehand, so you know when seasonal raises are given or whether raises are only available at a time.
• Another option for bringing up a raise is during a performance review. 

Raise Request Tip 4: Have a Strategy

Once you’re alone, state plainly what you want and why you deserve it. Its important to highlight the responsibilities you have been given and the successes you’ve had at work.  Bring up things like workplace growth, and projects assigned and completed. Do not say why you want more money; instead, focus on why you deserve more money.

Its also important to know that some strategies might backfire. Avoid making threats to quit or join the competition, unless you truly do have another job offer that you plan to take unless given a raise.

Raise Request Tip 5: It Pays to Be Patient

Often, your employer won’t say yes right away. Sometimes, they need time to crunch numbers, or to send in paperwork to approve. In the case your manager doesn’t agree but doesn’t disagree, be sure to set a specific time to return. A timeframe puts pressure on your employer to answer more quickly, and ensures that you aren’t left without a firm answer. Ask for another meeting a week later, or set a specific date that you need an answer by. 

Raise Request Tip 6: If They Say No

If your employer says no, you might be disappointed, but you can still follow up to increase your chances of earning a raise in the future.

Ask for specific feedback on why you aren’t receiving a raise and what you could do to earn one. This allows your employer to give pointers and criticisms in workplace blindspots, increasing your quality of work, and giving you a goal to work towards. Asking what you can do to earn a raise also increases your chances of getting one in the future: oftentimes reaching specifically set goals is exactly what employers look for. 

Goals can look like

• Working on time management: completing projects faster, or coming to work on time
• Reaching goals set: making more sales, getting better reviews, or providing wonderful customer service
• Changing availability to better match the demands of the business
  

Another option in the case of an employer denying a raise, is instead asking for the possibility of a promotion. If your employer is hesitant to increase your pay due to your position, an easier solution can be changing your position. In this case, ask your employer what a promotion would entail, and whether you could be a candidate for one. 

Raise Request Tip 7: Just in Case

Although it is extremely rare, its important to know your rights in case you face any retaliation from your employer for pursuing a raise. 

Retaliation can look different from what you expect. Retaliation can include

• Giving a worker unattractive hours
• Docking worker’s hours
• Unfavorable job assignments, outside of job description
• Social ostracization 

If you think your employer is engaged in any of these behaviors in response to your request for a pay boost, visit our page dedicated to worker’s rights to find out what to do in the face of employment retaliation.

Finally: Practice, Practice, Practice!

The best way to prepare for a potential raise negotiation is to practice.  Think about what you are going to say, how you are going to sell yourself and your accomplishments, and how you are going to respond if they say no.  Then recruit a friend or relative to actually practice.  The simple act of saying things out loud to another person can help boost your confidence and ensure that you put your best foot forward during the real negotiation.

We've put together a mock negotiation video for you to check out.  Watch our model negotiation and then try these strategies out in your own practice session!

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