5 Tips When Asking for a Raise (With a Template!)

Last Updated on August 15, 2022 by coffeepo

We know of many employees who have never asked for a raise before. And this is really concerning. According to a survey by Payscale of over 160,000 workers, around 67% have never asked for a raise. And there are a lot of reasons that it happens.

Generally, the most common reasons are:

• Feeling shy about initiating the conversation with their boss
• Can’t find the right timing to ask
• Afraid they’re asking for too much
• Or simply, just don’t know how to ask for a raise

So instead, most workers just continue to work hard, hoping that their bosses notice it and offer them salary increases. But that’s not actually the best way to move up in a company. 

Asking for a raise is normal, and most people don’t want to do it. And we get it—it’s awkward. Just in the UK alone, one survey of 3,000 employees found 55% are not willing to ask for a raise. 

By thinking this way you’ll continue to earn way less than what you could be. So how do you fix it? You ask. Sure, it’s nerve-wracking to ask your employer for a raise, but if you want to get ahead in your career and surpass your income goals, then you need to get over this mindset. 

So, we’re here to help you do that and get the salary you deserve. 

Here are some tips on how to ask for a raise: 

1. Choose the Right Time to Ask

A recent survey revealed that only 19% of employees were comfortable with their current pay rate. This means 81% of employees feel that they deserve better pay for their work. But when is the right time to ask?

Here’s a table with examples:

Good Time to Ask	Bad Time to Ask
When you’re taking on many responsibilities and you’re indispensable.	Your manager is stressed and overwhelmed with work.
You’ve shown great efforts by doing extra work.	Your manager is on a vacation.
You’re taking on new roles.	If you haven’t been working with the company for at least 6 months or are on probation.
Your company is doing well financially.	Your company’s financial health is not good (budget cuts are likely to affect raises).
You’ve accomplished something remarkable like led your company to more sales.	During the busiest days of the week, from Monday to Wednesday.
You’ve been constantly performing well with your tasks and received great feedback.	You haven’t been doing well with your tasks lately.

Timing is crucial when you want to receive a “yes” when you ask for a raise. Be sensitive and always read the room before proposing a salary discussion. And if possible, ask for a raise in person. 

2. Consider Your Qualifications and Accomplishments

Next up, make sure that you’re not selling yourself short when asking for a raise. Be confident, this is not the time to be modest. When preparing for your discussion with your manager, you can’t just waltz in empty-handed. 

You wanna show them you’re qualified and worth the investment. 

Here are some tips, show them your:

• Education & Qualifications
• Years of experience 
• Years you’ve worked with them 
• All relevant skills you can bring to the table 
• Your accomplishments in your role

These all back up your ability to perform the job the best way and justify why you deserve a raise. These are what your employer would take into account when deciding about your compensation because they can’t just give you a raise without a solid reason why they should have to. 

And this might be obvious but we have to say it: Don’t lie! Highlight your own achievements at the company and be truthful because while lying might get you ahead in the short-term—it will not in the long term. 

Pro Tip: When describing your achievements and how they positively impacted the company, get specific. When possible, use numbers or other data to support your claims. For example: “Spearheaded a campaign that led to a 40% month-on-month increase in sales last quarter.” 

3. Research Salary Trends For Your Work

So, how much of a raise should you ask for? Well, it depends on your role in the company and how long you’ve been working for them. 

Ideally, you want to ask for anywhere between 10% to 20% higher than your current salary. But this is just a guideline, you may ask for a higher rate of pay based on your performance, length of time with the company, and other factors. 

You should also look up what a competitive salary looks like for your position and your work to avoid being under-compensated. Every job has a specific market value, which is usually within a certain salary range. 

Visit pages like Salary.com and Payscale to get a free salary report and compare it to your current salary. Keep in mind the industry you’re based in, your company size, and your benefits. 

4. Plan What You’ll Say During the Meeting

Some people think they need to give a detailed presentation on why their salary should be increased, but this isn’t always necessary. Most of the time, your request can be brief and as fast as 5 minutes. All you need to do is tell them why you’ve earned a raise, such as the following: 

• You have additional responsibilities now beyond your job description
• You’ve learned how to do your job more effectively 
• You’ve been performing well in your role in the company 

To convince your boss that you deserve a raise, you have to believe that you’ve earned it. On the other hand, here are what you shouldn’t say when asking for a raise: 

• You need it for personal reasons
• Your monthly rent increased
• You’re planning to go on vacation

Remember, employers give raises due to performance and not your personal needs. 

Here’s an example script of what to say during a meeting: 

“Thank you for taking the time to discuss my salary. I have been working in the company for 8 months now, and my responsibilities have increased since then. As a copywriter, I have seen positive growth in my write-ups, and I’ve consistently been submitting them on time. 

From my previous 3 articles a week, I can now submit 5 quality write-ups. Apart from that, I’ve also received great feedback from the editors, which helped quicken the process by limiting revisions to almost none. 

Through this, I was encouraged to do some salary research based on people with similar roles. I found that a salary increase of 15% is commensurate with my skills and responsibilities.”

If you have a specific amount in mind, it’s also fine to say it, as in “I would like to raise my compensation to $X.” It’s important to be prepared with at least a range if your supervisors ask for the salary adjustment you’re expecting.   

5. What to Say When Your Employer Rejects Your Proposal 

Now, your employers cannot grant every salary increase request they receive, so be prepared for when they reject your proposal. Still, don’t be discouraged by a no. Instead, try to find a compromise. If they point out that you’re asking for too much, you can negotiate. 

However, if they really can’t give you a raise, don’t leave the table just yet. Compensation negotiations are not just limited to salary. Consider asking for alternatives or other company benefits you can have. For example, try asking for more flexibility in your schedule or more paid time off. These provide great perks to you, and at little cost to your employer. 

Remember, even if you’re disappointed, remaining professional during a salary negotiation is important. Don’t take it personally—it’s more likely a company policy than a decision against you. Before leaving the table, ask what you can do in the future to qualify for an increase, and then get ready to work on it. 

Tip: If your employer doesn’t have the ability to give you a raise, maybe it’s time to look for a job elsewhere with higher pay.  

Have the Salary You Deserve

Requesting a raise in your salary can be stressful and uncomfortable, but there’s nothing to lose by trying. It’s your right as an employee to ask for a raise, so don’t get scared to ask for it. After all, waiting for others to reward you is not the way to get ahead in life. Instead, you need to get what you deserve. 

We hope our tips encourage you to ask for the salary you deserve. Now you’re armed with the tools, go out and do it! See you in the winner’s circle.