raise

Asking for a raise is one of the most intimidating thing for employees. You may want to do it but are bugged by uncertainty on how to proceed, the right time to make a request and how to handle things if the request is denied. That shouldn’t stop you from trying though.

Timing

When is the best time to ask for a salary review? Some organisations have set quarterly/ annual review periods. If this applies to you then make use of these to make the request. Some companies make salary adjustments at the end of every fiscal year. This could be an appropriate time since managers are already expecting such conversations to happen.

Company’s Financial Status

If the company you work for is going through a rough financial patch, this isn’t the time to ask for a raise. Look into recent financial reports to gauge the financial health of the company before requesting a salary review.

Supervisor’s Workload

Naturally as human beings we tend to get stressed when swamped with work. If your supervisor/ manager has their hands full with projects, wait until their workload has reduced. They will then be in a better position to discuss compensation reviews.

The Right Setting

Financial decisions are serious matters and so the setting in which you ask for a raise matters. Set an appointment with your manager in advance as opposed to ambushing them with a meeting. As much as possible, try to have the discussion in person. Avoid emails and calls. A video call is acceptable if a physical meeting can’t happen.

Have a one-on-one meeting with your manager in a private room. Common areas such as the staff lounge/ kitchen take away from the seriousness of the conversation.

What To Say

This is where most people fumble for the right words. Feelings of fear creep in and you don’t want to come off as entitled/ unprofessional. To mitigate this, write & rehearse a few lines way before the meeting. Some key points to consider:

  • Begin the meeting by thanking your manager for their time, then asking if they are okay discussing compensation.
  • State why you are seeking salary increment. Use statistics for example- ‘in the last few months I’ve worked on this major project that has caused a x% increment in customer onboarding’. Keep it professional and related to your role.
  • Include research that you’ve done to arrive at the figure you’re requesting. This will show your manager that you’ve taken things seriously.

After The Meeting

Send a thank you email to your manager. Include a summary of why you want a raise and the discussion you had. This acts as a reference point for future conversations on the same.

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