How to ask for a raise or increase
alexander savina
Inequality in pay for men and women still exists, as much as many would like to believe in the opposite. Stereotypes play a significant role here: it is believed that a man, as the “head of the family,” should by default earn more than a woman. But an honest and open conversation about an increase or a new position is the first (albeit not the only) step towards getting a decent reward for your work. We tell how to prepare for a difficult meeting and what needs to be done to make the conversation successful.
Think how much you can count on.
Before embarking on a specific conversation, you should think about what you are going to ask the company. If we are talking about a cash increase, then first of all you need to figure out how much your services can objectively cost and how your salary relates to the general level of salaries in your industry: if you understand that you get much less than employees of other companies, it makes sense to talk about other amount. In addition, the request must be realistic - it is unlikely that you will be raised twice at once.
Think over the negotiation strategy
Think about how you will conduct a responsible conversation: are you going to present an ultimatum or are you in the mood for long negotiations? Are you going to bargain or are you ready to immediately agree with what the employer offers? To blackmail an employer with the fact that you are going to quit is a popular strategy, but it can hurt you - especially if you really do not want and are not ready to do so. Often, employers believe that the person who started talking about dismissal has mentally left the company - and they change their attitude towards him.
Choose a good time to talk.
Many companies periodically index employees' salaries, but, unfortunately, this is not always the case. If your employer does not conduct an annual appraisal, you can instead talk to him about the quality of your work directly. It is important to choose the right moment: if you see that the company is going through hard times, it is unlikely that you will be paid more. In addition, it makes sense to speak with the immediate superior when you feel confident and successfully solved a big task - for example, after completing a successful transaction, working on a large project, or signing an important contract.
A face-to-face meeting is always better than an e-mail, no matter how well it is composed: it is more difficult to talk face to face, but in this way you will show that you are able to negotiate and are ready to defend your opinion, including in business matters. A good tone is to warn the manager what you would like to talk about: in this way he will also be able to prepare for the meeting. In addition, it is worth considering when it is convenient to start a conversation: it is better to wait a little longer than to speak at the end of a hard working day.
Collect evidence
It is better to collect arguments in favor of the fact that you deserve a raise before you even think about it: first you have to make sure that you fulfill all your duties, and even more, and only then discuss your position. So that at a crucial moment you do not have to convulsively think that you have done something useful for the company, you can record your successes and achievements along the way.
Spending days and nights at work may not be enough, moreover, it may be perceived differently: if some employers decide that you give all the work, others may conclude that you do not fit into the deadlines for work. In a conversation, it is better to focus on what benefits you have brought to the company and why you are a valuable employee. "You have to demonstrate that you have taken on additional responsibilities, and also describe in detail your achievements. Tell us about the projects you have worked on and how they affected the business. Gains income? Did you help the company retain the customer?" Kim Malleni, Monster's Vice President and Human Resources Director - If you have received positive feedback about your work from colleagues or other people from the industry whose opinion matters, share with your manager and this. This is a good confirmation not only of your employer. hell to work, but also your potential. " Where possible, use specific numbers - they often sound more convincing.
Rate your arguments
When you talk about a new position or a new salary, your goal is to convince management that you deserve them, and not all arguments are suitable for this. For example, the fact that you have been working in a company for a long time may not be enough to improve: in order to take a new role, you need to take on new responsibilities - or at least be ready for them and be able to prove it. You shouldn’t refer to your colleagues ’salary or complain that while you work for three, the rest are idle and don’t deserve the position they hold, it’s quite possible that your colleagues have other duties and work tasks just don't know.
You shouldn’t think about why you need more money: your vacation and rental expenses have little to do with what you are an employee. In general, explain why you deserve to receive more - and not why you need it. True, there are exceptions - for example, if a company recently moved to a new office and you have to spend much more on travel than before, or you want to invest in additional training that will help you in your work.
Get ready to talk
We think it is unnecessary to explain that it is worth preparing for a responsible conversation in advance - and not only to rehearse what you say, but also to think about how your boss can object and what counter-arguments can bring. Of course, the whole course of the conversation cannot be foreseen - but so you can think about your arguments (and understand where they should be refined), you will feel more confident and you will be at least partially ready for possible surprises.
Think about what you agree, and what - no
This is a direct continuation of the previous advice: before you start a conversation, think about what you can agree to during the negotiations, and what is totally unacceptable for you. Talking about a raise or a new salary is always a talk about prospects, so it’s important to understand what your future may be in this company and whether it suits you. The employer is not always able to pay you more than the competitors, but this does not mean that you cannot find an option that suits you both - for example, more flexible working hours, the ability to work from home or bonuses.
This can be especially useful during a crisis: "Some of my clients managed to get the right to start work at a more convenient time for them, a more flexible vacation schedule and the opportunity to work instead of a few hundred pounds a year increase — it was more valuable for them", - says Natalie Reynolds, founder and leader of Advantage Spring, a company specializing in negotiating advice.
Be ready to hear no
Of course, you need to tune in for the best, but be prepared for the fact that your employer can always refuse you. True, this does not mean at all that the negotiations end there: it is better to ask the boss what you need to do in order to get a long-awaited increase or a new position - this will show that you are serious about your career and your future work in the company. You can discuss with the manager when you can return to the conversation, and in the remaining time working on the result - it is always easier to go to a specific goal.
Remember that raising will not solve all problems.
Think about why you want an increase or increase. If the main reason is that you are dissatisfied with your current job, then a large salary or a new position may simply be a short-term solution: a new amount will not change what you don’t like in your job, and a new position may be just as uninteresting, just with a big level of responsibility - and none of this will help you to love your job. True, it is not necessary to quit and look for happiness in other companies - for example, you can try to look around and try to move to another department with more interesting tasks.