Does asking for what you want come naturally to you? Some people can easily ask for a pay rise like ordering a tuna sandwich for lunch – bold. For the people-pleasers out there, it’s a different story. It’s not so much the act of asking, per se, but more the consequences that come with it.
Asking for a pay rise can trigger some uncomfortable thought processes. What if I’m laughed out of the office? What if they fire me for asking? And so on. The good news is: you can confidently ask for a pay rise that is authoritative, but not demanding. A happy medium. Spoiler: it’s all in the confidence.
How to Know You’re Ready for a Pay Rise
Firstly, consider your readiness. Discomfort and lack of confidence can come from imposter syndrome or low self-belief. This is where modesty could be your enemy.
If you’ve got a yearly review in the works or promotion on the horizon, think about the trajectory of your career. What are your goals, plans and ideas? Then, start researching the industry to get some insight into roles and average salaries.
Collate Proof
A good place to start is to track your wins. Jot down all your achievements and evidence where you’ve gone over and above your job demands. Add this to a word document or in your diary. Think about:
- Where have you shown leadership?
- How does a typical day look for you – does this match your job spec?
- What tasks have you been doing that are above your pay grade?
- What measurable goals have you achieved both as an employee and for the company?
Get some insight on these questions from a supervisor or your work best friend. Knowing what value you bring to the workplace will help. Consider how it would be without you (probably unmanageable). You are indispensable – remember that.
Check your Contract
Most contracts will not have a mandatory pay rise element (shock) but you’re entitled to a pay rise after every 6 months. Of course, this is dependent on your input and output.
If you’ve been working in a company for over 18 months without a pay rise, this might be considered wage stagnation. This can lead to a lot of stress both on finances and emotions.
When negotiating a pay rise, a good rule of thumb is to ask for 10 to 20% more than your current salary. This brings us to the next element: do your research.
Research the Industry
Women and men alike struggle to meet their boss eye to eye and ask for more money. This is where your research and proof of your value comes in handy; they are the building blocks of your confidence.
CEO and founder, Sarah Puil, urges you to understand the role you’re applying for. Consider what will be expected of you and how you should manifest this when thinking about your ideal salary.
Do you know what the average salary is for your role? Check out Indeed, Salary or Glassdoor to get a rough guide.
Steps to Prepare for the Conversation
Money doesn’t need to be a dirty topic. However, approaching the subject might seem overwhelming. Here are a few tips to get you fired up.
Pretend to Negotiate for Someone Else
It’s often easier to be someone else’s cheerleader than yours. Social Psychologist, Adam Galinsky, coined this the ‘mama bear effect’. It explains how women in particular champion and recognise talent in other people more than themselves so they seem more humble. Generally, men tend to overestimate their performance by 30%.
Mindset coach, Kirsty Hulse, recommends being objective in your negotiations. To do this, pretend to negotiate on behalf of another person. This removes any emotion or vulnerability from your case and gives you more clarity on your why.
Ask yourself: what should this person earn for this job, at this level, in this company, during this economic climate? By thinking objectively, it will provide more confidence, and therefore, conviction.
Send an Email to Book a Meeting
Before anything, book a meeting. It then prepares you and decision-makers so it’s not an awkward surprise party.
Try these email subject lines:
- I would like to discuss my salary/job role
- Request to discuss my salary
- Request for a meeting to discuss my salary/pay rise
The body of your email can summarise your research above and list a couple of examples of your wins. Keep it brief, like a teaser trailer.
Sign off with a flexible selection of times and ask them to pick what works best for them. This exudes confidence but also gives them the illusion of control.
Present your Case
Remember those wins we said to brainstorm? Now’s the time to use them. Demonstrate when, where and how you have helped your company reach a goal. For instance: training newbies, bringing in X amount of sales or clients in Y time period.
Present your value and why you deserve a pay rise. Avoid comparing yourself to other people in your company. “I want a raise because Sharon got one” will deflect the light from you and seem entitled. Instead, advise your boss on the going rate and specifications for your role. Stay clever.
Phrases and Sentence Starters to Negotiate
It’s best to have a face-to-face meeting when discussing a pay rise. If your job is remote, then set up an online meeting. Now you’ve set the scene, it’s time to have the conversation.
Here are our favourite sentence starters that will radiate confidence and authority:
- Negotiating a Raise
“According to my research, the average salary for my job title is X. With respect to my input, skill and experience, I believe an increase of Y is reasonable.”
“An extension of my role has been to mentor and train new candidates. With my support, they have [list achievements] which has given the company [statistic]. As a result, I believe I am qualified for a pay rise of [X%].
- Explaining your Accomplishments
“In [time period], I have raised brand awareness by [metrics], which led to an influx of [outcome statistic]. I would like to work on similar campaigns with the right support and salary that reflects my skills to further benefit [company name].”
- Demonstrating your Value
“When I started this role, the requirements were XYZ. I have achieved this, by doing [insert example]. To go beyond this, I also worked on [insert projects]. This helped the company to [insert statistics and how it relates to company goals]. Therefore, I believe I am an asset to the company and am looking forward to continuing to add to the success of [company name].
“According to my research, my tasks more closely match the role of [job title]. This includes activities such as [list tasks] which I have successfully mastered over [time period].”
This is the conversation flow:
- Thank them for accepting the meeting
- Briefly explain your value from the start of your role to now
- Present the industry research
- Expand on your achievements and value
- Tie it back to the company and/or boss
- Emphasise how your role has led to this success, your plan and expectations moving forwards
Boom.
Top tip: welcome the silence. When you’ve made your case, give your boss time to think. (Yes, this might feel more painful than walking barefoot on needles, but it demonstrates conviction.)
What If They Reject My Proposal?
Although frustrating, sometimes there will be a “no” in the pipeline. In this scenario, be prepared to negotiate.
Ask whether they have a timeline on when you can expect a pay rise. If the salary expectation is too high, provide a counter-offer that meets their budget.
Perhaps your company doesn’t have the budget to consider a pay rise. In this case, get an approximation of when to expect one or suggest an alternative proposal. For example, fewer work hours or more paid holidays.
Ready, Set, Go Ask for a Raise!
Asking for a pay rise should be easy as pie when you recognise your value and plan for success. Ultimately, know your worth! For more tips and coaching to get a raise, we offer career advice at Bloom. It’s time to level up in life and work.
https://officetopics.com/how-often-should-you-get-a-raise/
https://hrnews.co.uk/more-than-a-third-of-women-feel-intimidated-when-asking-for-a-pay-rise-at-work/
https://uk.indeed.com/career/salaries
https://www.salary.com/research
https://www.glassdoor.co.uk/Salaries/index.htm
https://www8.gsb.columbia.edu/newsroom/newsn/4683/five-steps-to-become-more-confident-and-assertive
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