The Proper Way to Ask for a Raise
Talking about your pay with your employer doesn’t have to be an awkward conversation. You know that you want to be making more money, but you also know that your employer wants to save as much money as possible. Every time you ask for a raise, it might feel like a losing battle from that start, but it does not have to!
With these tips and tricks, you can how the right tools at your disposal to ask your employer for a raise and have the best chances of getting it!
1. Do Research on What People in Your Position Typically Make
The best place to start is to find out what people in your position are paid. Go to a website like Glassdoor and you can search for your position to see the typical salary range. If there are other people at the company with your position or a position similar to yours, you also might be able to see what people make at your company.
When asking for a raise, if you can show and tell your employer that you are paid less than what people typically make in that position, you will have a better chance of getting your raise.
2. Compare Your Job Description to What You Actually Do
Take a look at the initial job posting for your position to see the job description. You can also ask your direct supervisor for a copy of your job description. Read through everything that is expected of you in that description. After that, write down the things you do at your job that are not on the job description.
What you are paid is based off what is in the job description. If you go beyond the call of duty, then your pay should as well. For example: if you are a low-level employee, but you have some of the responsibilities of a supervisor or even a manager, then you can show your employer that you deserve to be promoted to that position and should be compensated as such.
3. Find Out What Else You Can Do for the Company
Take stock in some of the needs of the company. Are there departments that could use your help? Are there things you can do that won’t take away from your typical day-to-day? Your employer will not only appreciate the initiative, but they will also be more inclined to compensate you for the work.
4. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask or to Hear ‘No’
There is an irrational fear that you can be fired or reprimanded for asking for a raise. It simply does not happen. If your boss were to fire you just for asking for more fair compensation, then you should be glad to be rid of the company. Your employer knows that everyone who works under them wants to be making more money. When they hear people ask for a raise, it doesn’t come as a shock.
However, even if you give your employer all of this information about why you should be making more money, you still might not get the yes you wanted. If you don’t get it, that’s okay. Instead, ask what can be done in the meantime. Maybe some of the extra work you are doing that isn’t part of your job description can be taken off of your shoulders. Maybe your boss can adjust your hours to fit a better schedule for you as an act of good faith. The general rule is that you will never get what you don’t ask for from your boss, so don’t be afraid to ask.
If you do get the yes you were hoping for, we can tell you how to negotiate as well.
If the company can’t afford to give you a raise now, find out when would be a better time to ask again. If it doesn’t seem like there will ever be a time when you will get the raise you want, don’t be afraid to start looking for your next opportunity.
5. Re-build Your Resume, Cover Letter and Portfolio
If you are back on the job hunt, it’s time to polish your resume, cover letter and portfolio. You can build a strong online portfolio for next to nothing with a decent blogging site. As for your resume and cover letter, we can help with that.
Our job is to help make your resume and cover letter stand out above your competition. It will be professional and well-structured to reflect you and your journey.
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