It’s been said that one of the most dreaded conversations for employees is to ask for a raise or promotion. However, companies are different, and while some give raises every year and promotions every few years, others are not the same. If you work in one of those firms that don’t have a specific layout, then you are the one that needs to bring this matter up. Even if you’re in the office or working remotely, this topic is still difficult to have. For this reason, I have compiled a list of tips to follow to get the best results in this situation.
• Evaluate your own work first
Are you entirely sure you deserve a raise? What you need to do first is have a glance at your recent work. Even better, evaluate your work since your last raise, or in case you haven’t gotten one yet, since you started working there. Did you meet all your deadlines? Are you reliable as an employee? Have you done top-quality work? Are you contributing to the growth of the company? Answer these questions for yourself and take the time to assess your work, and afterward, you’ll know if you are in the position to ask for a raise or not.
• Find out what is the average pay for your position
When asking for a raise, you might want to present this information to your employer. Some employers don’t always know all the median pay rates for all the positions they’re hiring, so this information could come in handy. There are certain sites that give you data about salaries, including the low-end, high-end, and in-between for your job title. This helps you get an idea of how big of a raise you want to ask for.
• Formulate a list of accomplishments
So, you have assessed your work and consider yourself worthy to ask for a raise. You have researched similar jobs and their pay rates. What next? Prepare yourself to tell your boss all your accomplishments over time. These achievements will include all the ways you’ve helped the company grow and develop since you’ve been hired, such as a more extensive client base, all tasks completed, many deals closed, and others. If needed, use an online tool to track all the things you have worked on and finished. This way, you’ll have the proof you need to convince your superiors that you deserve the raise. Also, seeing all your hard work put together will give you a confidence boost and make things mentally more manageable for you.
• Schedule a one-on-one discussion with your employer
Finding the perfect moment to discuss this with your superior is not an easy task, and it’s even more complicated when working remotely. If it’s possible, the best way to go is to schedule a live meeting where you can calmly discuss the matter at hand. If you’re unable to do so, the next best thing is a video call. These are the best approaches, opposed to writing an e-mail or talking on the phone, which may seem unprofessional and impersonal. Set up a meeting and let your superior know beforehand what the topic will be, so he/she can also prepare for the conversation you’re about to have.
• Practice makes better
Ask a relative or a friend to help you practice the scenario before it actually happens. Emotions aren’t always constructive, so rehearsing your speech will do you good. By repetition, the facts you need to expose will consolidate in your mind so that you don’t forget them if you get anxious. The person helping you might ask questions you didn’t think about before, could give you honest feedback about your body language, tone, or let you know if you sound convincing enough. Work on making yourself prepared and assertive.
• Have patience
Even if the meeting went well and your employer agreed to everything, you may still not get an immediate answer, and that’s ok. Give your superior time to think things through and make a decision. He might have to consult with his boss, or the HR team, or the finance department. Afterward, he/she will respond with an offer. In case you didn’t get a response within two weeks, it’s appropriate to send a follow-up e-mail. You could schedule another meeting to discuss their thoughts about the request you’ve made.
Even if you’re following all these steps, a salary increase is not guaranteed. The timing could just not be suitable for the company, and your superior does not have the ability to give you a raise. If this is the case, find out what it takes for you to qualify for it in the future. Letting your employer know that you understand your worth and are looking to advance professionally will put you in a better position to get a raise, even if not right away. Good luck!
