How to Ask for a Raise: Helpful Hints

You work hard, achieve your work goals, and are frequently told you are a valued employee, the one who always goes above and beyond. Thinking about your accomplishments starts you wondering: Is it time to ask for a raise?

You’ve got the track record to support your request, so now you have to figure out how to make the case to your manager. You can’t control the outcome, but you want to do all you can to be your own best advocate. These tips may come in handy as you prepare for a successful outcome.

1. Ace the timing.

   They say that timing is everything, and that certainly applies when asking for a salary increase. Your request is more likely to be seriously entertained when company conditions are favorable.

   You may also want to explore the timing and frequency of raises. Is there a raise schedule and, if so, are salary increases ever awarded outside of the usual cycle? If you’re new to the company, you might consult a trusted human resources professional to learn more about the process.

   Another factor to consider: When did you receive your last salary increase? If you got a raise within the last year, it may be too soon to ask for another. But even so, there may be other reasons that justify your request—increased job responsibilities, for example.

   If your last raise is a distant memory, and salary increases aren’t being discussed, you’ve probably got a tougher road. But with labor shortages impacting various career fields and geographic areas,1 many companies are focusing on staff retention.² In a survey of 1,400 businesses, 36% said they planned to increase salaries more frequently; the majority expected to do so twice annually.²

2. Find your number.

   You’d like the biggest salary hike possible and ideally, you would receive it. But if you’re to get a raise at all, you should make sure your “ask” is realistic.

   To get to your number, try researching salary ranges for similar positions, and preferably those in your geographic area. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics offers geographic data.

   Your professional network and human resources manager may be helpful, too. Reports on salary trends specific to your industry can also be useful. But reports can vary widely. In one survey, 1,550 U.S. employers said they planned a 4.6% average increase in salaries for 2023.³ Meanwhile, Microsoft said its full-time employees wouldn’t receive raises in 2023.⁴

   When you ask for the salary increase, you may want to talk about how you arrived at the number and why you feel it’s appropriate. Even if your manager is receptive, you should come prepared to negotiate.

3. Plan the presentation.

   Review the goals you and your manager have established. Those, presumably, are the performance notes that matter most. Highlight your progress and success in achieving those goals.

   Plan to talk about other accomplishments, too, particularly tasks that require you to use the skills that your manager values, like collaboration or innovation. You may want to mention a professional certificate or college degree you earned, and discuss its value to the organization.

   As you prepare, tailor your pitch to your manager’s communication style. A long, detailed presentation may not appeal to a get-right-to-the-point boss. A brisk presentation may leave a supervisor who prefers a deeper dive wanting more. You can always create a leave-behind highlighting key points for either type of boss.

4. Practice your remarks.

   Rehearse your presentation as often as necessary. Ask a friend or family member to play the role of your manager. Encourage them to ask questions, interrupt you, or steer the conversation in another direction.

   Now, you know your words are important, but did you realize that your body language may be just as important? Research shows that 60 to 65% of communication is transmitted by nonverbal behaviors.⁵

   Facial expressions can convey surprise, fear, disgust, anger, happiness, and sadness.5 Pursed lips and crossed arms may signal disapproval.⁶ Fidgeting might be interpreted as inattentiveness, anxiety, or boredom. Read up on nonverbal communication and discover the messages you may inadvertently be sending. Create a presentation where your words and body language help lead to a “yes.”

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If your life is busy, you may wonder if you have time for postsecondary education. Adult learners from across the United States and more than 90 countries are doing just that as students at Walden University. A leader in distance education for more than 50 years, Walden is an accredited university that offers online degree and certificate programs in a flexible online format.

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Walden can help you find the online degree program you need to advance your skills—and help you ask for the salary you desire.

Walden University is an accredited institution offering online certificate programs and bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs. Expand your career options and earn your degree using a convenient, flexible format that fits your busy life.

¹Source: www.uschamber.com/workforce/the-states-suffering-most-from-the-labor-shortage?
²Source: www.cnn.com/2022/07/14/success/pay-raises-inflation/index.html
³Source: www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/hr-topics/compensation/pages/us-pay-increase-forecast-for-2023.aspx
⁴Source: www.reuters.com/technology/microsoft-will-not-give-employees-salary-raise-this-year-insider-2023-05-10/
⁵Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2898840/
⁶Source : www.verywellmind.com/understand-body-language-and-facial-expressions-4147228#citation-2

Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, www.hlcommission.org.