Do you want a pay increase? One of the key elements to successfully asking for a raise is preparation. A successful request for a raise includes the proper timing, an organized request, and a strong case for the rise. Today, we’ll wrap up our series with the final preparation stage and provide you with a sample challenge planner to use as a reference.
Make the Request
- Consider your request’s timing carefully. Make sure you ask for your raise before the start of the following budget cycle if your organization uses an annual budgeting procedure. (Consider requesting 4-6 weeks before to budgeting.)
- If your employer doesn’t conduct annual performance reviews (and raises), ask your boss if you can have a one-on-one meeting to go over your workload, performance, goals, and salary.
- When would be a suitable moment to talk about your obligations and pay? Ask your box.
- Make a definite number in mind before requesting a raise. The typical rise ranges from 1 to 5%. If you’re requesting more, be prepared to defend your request.
Getting the 14-Day Challenge done
Examine your development once the 14 days have passed. Did you request the raise? Have you gotten it yet? If not, what actions must you do to position yourself for success the next time you request a raise?
Recognize that “no now” does not mean “no forever” if you receive a “no” response to your request for a raise. Ask for goals and/or milestones to attain in the interim and try to set a time to revisit the subject in the future (say, three or six months from now).
And moving forward, don’t wait to tell people about your accomplishments until you’re prepared to ask for a raise. When you finish each significant project, create a brief summary and email it to your manager. (And save a copy for your own use in a file for accomplishments.)
Challenge Scheduler
Day 1: See if I can find wage data for my particular firm and job title on Glassdoor or PayScale.
Day 2: Envision your achievement. Imagine myself requesting and receiving a raise.
Day 3: Learn about the standard raise procedures at my organization.
Day 4: Compose a list of your objective—factual, unemotional—reasons why you deserve a raise.
Day 5: Prepare the necessary supporting materials for my request for a raise.
Day 6: Write out your goals for the upcoming year as well as a summary of your current work and its impact on the business.
Day 7: Make a list of three items that, if a raise is not possible, I am willing to take instead on day seven.
Day 8: Compose responses to three to five questions that I might be asked while asking for a raise.
Day 9: Compile a list of my recent 12–18 months’ worth of accomplishments.
Day 10 Get ready with a backup plan in case my request for a raise is denied. (Ask to discuss the matter again in 3 months?)
Day 11: Determine a precise amount for my increase request.
Day 12: Find motivation by speaking with a friend who just got a raise.
Day 13 Spend 25 minutes with a friend or coworker practicing asking for a raise.
The time has come to ask for a raise on Day 14!
Good luck
