Every employee, after some time spent in a given organization, thinks about a higher salary. However, not everyone knows how to ask for a raise or what percentage of the raise they should ask for.
There are many tips on how to negotiate a raise at work or what to do if your boss refuses to give you a raise. No wonder – as Coursera.org explains, as many as 32 percent Americans are hesitant to have such a conversation, and 28 percent fears rejection.
How to talk to your boss about a raise? Useful tips
Good preparation and knowledge of market trends help you overcome these barriers and effectively negotiate a raise at work. How to choose the right moment to talk to your superior and when is a raise justified?
As Coursera.org suggests, it is worth asking for a raise after a year of work, when increasing responsibilities or after professional successes, e.g. acquiring a new client. A good time is also the annual performance evaluation or the time when the company is in a good financial situation. It is worth planning the conversation in advance and not surprising your superior.
See also: Companies have a new way to raise raises. Employees say: it's like peanut butter
How to prepare for an interview asking for a raise? Before the meeting, it is worth checking how much people in similar positions earn. Nowadays, many companies practice earnings transparency. Additionally, many companies publish median salaries for specific industries, occupations and positions. This is a good source of information that can later be used in a conversation.
Getting a raise at work doesn't have to be difficult. There is a way
Based on the collected data, you can assess what percentage of the raise the employee should indicate as satisfactory. Before the interview, it is also worth preparing a list of your achievements, preferably with specific numbers.
It's also a good idea to practice the conversation – e.g. in front of a mirror or with a loved one. It is also important to be prepared for follow-up questions and to think in advance what concessions we can agree to.
See also: Salary equalization is mandatory in this case. There is one “but”
After a conversation with your supervisor – regardless of the outcome – you should thank him for his time and remain professional. If your boss needs time to make a decision, you should ask about the expected response time to your request for a raise.
If your boss refuses a raise, it is worth asking for tips on what you can improve in your work, results or responsibilities in order to receive a raise in the future.
