If you think that you deserve a bigger salary for your work, there is a way for you to achieve it and that is through being confident with asking for a pay raise. However, it’s something that can’t be done easily. In fact, it can be a tough thing to do, especially if it’s your first time.
There is really nothing wrong with asking for a raise in your salary. Everyone can do it. All it takes is a high confidence level to open about this topic with your employer.
If you’re feeling anxious with this process but you want to get your worth, you can ask for professional assistance from candor.co or follow these tips below:
Know Your Worth or Value As An Employee
If you really want to get a raiser, you’ll need to be a bit self-aggrandizing, which is a part of the process. It’s more like a part of building up the guts to have the conversation in evaluating your worth and being prepared for some pushback from your employer.
The best way to make an argument for a pay raise is to speak in terms of money. Break down your value-add in accordance with revenue generation, return on investment, loss prevention, and cost savings.
Although your impact on such areas is indirect, you have to do your best to show your connection to them. In addition, see to it that you reach out to business partners, clients, and vendors for anecdotal stores and testimonials to show your value.
Get Over Your Negativity
Asking for a raise is a little self-serving. But, you have to bear in mind that the greatest asset of any company is its employees.
The cost of recruiting and on-boarding new hires is greater than the cost of keeping high potential employees happy. Remember that no one really cares more than you do. So, get rid of your negative thoughts and don’t be afraid of stepping up and ask for what you truly deserve.
Asking for a raise is purely business and proper negotiation is what you need so your employer will understand your reason and intention.
Arm Yourself with Information About the Salary Trends
When you are getting ready to make your grounds to get a raise, you can consider using some salary research tools or take advantage of the salary trends. These trends offer valuable information on salary rates across different industries. Professional associations can be a good source as they conduct salary surveys regularly.
Being armed with information about the salary of your industry is essential. It is because each job has a market value. Usually, this value of a high-paying job is within a particular range.
Check the salary trends for your job title and select the place where you work to get the pay rate appropriate in your area.
On some salary trend pages, you will see a figure for your job title. Factors like your experience and education will influence how your pay rate will vary from one employer to another. It may also differ by country. Through learning the salary trends for your job and your area, you’ll understand your work’s monetary value.
Just remember that all salary figures are only approximations based on the submissions of data. The figures you will use are for general comparison purposes only. Also, the minimum wage may vary by jurisdiction.
Take Advantage of Vocal Power
If you think that you sound vocally secure in yourself, you will get a better chance to succeed in getting a pay raise.
When you’re asking for a raise, see to it that you have a low voice tone. You can do this by taking deep breaths and don’t forget to practice beforehand in your lowest, natural voice tone. Remember not to use question inflection because once you do that, it may sound that you are not sure of yourself.
Adding in vocal variance may also help. Rather than spitting out your pitch and the reasons why you must get a pay raise, use cadence, tone, and varied pace. This will keep your employer engaged and discourage him from tuning out.
It is also a good idea to incorporate emotions into your pitch. Once you explain your gratitude towards your employer, you have to put emphasis on it using vocal emotions. You can do the same when talking about your excitement about getting a raise.
Observe Proper Body Language
If you want to show that you are really a person with a high level of confidence, you should know how you are portraying yourself with proper body language.
When walking to your employer’s office, consider taking a launch stance that will increase your testosterone level and make you feel in control of the situation. You can do this by spreading your feet apart a bit and throwing back your shoulders.
See to it that your feet point in the direction of your employer. If you are sitting down in your meeting, never hunch over or cross your arms. By positioning yourself in a particular way, you can communicate with your employer in a subtle manner.
Determine How Much Raise You Want
For you to know how much raise you should ask, you must do your research. If your co-workers are open with their monthly payments, you may take note of their salaries and ask them more about their salary.
You can also search online for some similar job postings to determine how much you can get in your role. No matter what you discover, don’t be over-ambitious. Take note that job ads for global brands might double the same role’s salary at a startup or small business. As mentioned above, location is also a factor in salaries.
Even if earning more money is satisfying, you have to keep some factors in mind. For instance, corporate environments can pay better, but there might be higher expectations and more responsibilities. Smaller businesses may also pay less, but provide more flexibility in working hours and provide more social benefits.
No matter what you decide when it comes to the right salary increase for you, never demand a particular amount. Just do your homework so you’re prepared to negotiate your salary.
Consider Your Future and Recent Performance
When asking for a pay rise, you don’t just request it just because you wanted to or you needed more money. Once you consider asking for a raise, you should know your work performance.
If you think you are not doing well with your job, you must strive to be a better employer. Do not demand a higher salary just for the sake of being more motivated in doing your work.
If you have received compliments, awards, and praises lately, you can take note of them and use them as your evidence. Present some helpful ideas on how your work gets better and help the company’s bottom line in the coming months if you want to wow your employer.
The more you could quantify your value to your company, it will be much easier for your employer to justify spending more on you. Just make sure to present your recent and future performance to your employer properly.
Consider The Timing
Just like anybody else, employers tend to have short memories and would frequently value your recent performance only. If your employer recognizes your performance, take advantage of it by coordinating your approach and completing a major project.
Moreover, see to it that you understand the company’s process and compensation policies. You do not want to ask your employer for something they do not have any control over. More often than not, increases in salaries are tied to yearly performance reviews. Take this factor into account when planning to ask for a raise in your salary.
You should also ensure that you’re in a good state of mind and feel good about your job. Mindset matters when asking for a salary increase as this will be the basis of your satisfaction.
Aside from your mindset, you should also ensure that your employer is in a good mood and not going through a tough time. Do not proceed with asking for a pay raise without doing a rain check. Wait until your employer is calm and relaxed.
If you are still confused on when to ask for a raise in your salary, below are the other best times to do it:
- A quiet time in the schedule of your boss.
- Your employer asks you to take on more responsibilities.
- Your contract will end soon and the company wishes to renew it.
- When your employer has announced some positive financial results
- After achieving success in completing a project you’re involved in.
Do not ask for a raise during these times:
- Friday afternoon when your employer is busy thinking about his weekend’s activities
- Busy time in the quarter or Monday morning
- After your company announced recruitment or pay freeze
- When your company loses a major contract and has poor financial results.
Prepare For Any Objections
When asking for a pay raise, you have to think like a lawyer. If you will present your case why you deserve more money, you should be prepared for the opposing side to present the reasons why they can’t agree.
For example, if you are aware that the company’s profits are thriving regardless of the currently poor economic status, you may suggest that you contribute to their success. If you’re prepared for negotiating a raise, it will be much easier for you to stay calm and have a rational conversation.
Do Not Make It Personal
Asking for a salary raise to pay the tuition of your child or to finance your newly-purchased home will never work. You should know that your personal life does not have anything to do with the budget of your company.
So, you should not mention any personal reasons when wanting an increase with your pay. Make sure that your reasons should focus around your worth as an employee.
If you need extra money to meet your financial needs, it is not the job of your company to help resolve your financial problems. It is your job to do your work properly to get the salary you deserve.
Instead of asking for a raise because of personal reasons, you can think of some ways on how you can make an extra income. However, never stop working out to be one of the best employees who deserve a raise.
Keep It Positive
When meeting your employer to discuss getting a pay raise, you must not use air grievances. You are not there to tell your disappointments with your current pay. Your meeting is not also about complaining about being underpaid and overworked. This kind of strategy will not give you results when asking for a raise because it will just make you look unmotivated.
Your meeting must be used to discuss your value to your company and your desire to grow there. Make sure to dress properly and keep your body language friendly before you start the conversation right about asking a salary increase.
Have an Alternative Plan
If you have done your best, but you end up getting no results, it is important to prepare some ideas that will make you happy. Instead of asking for a pay raise, you can focus on creating an incentive or bonus program.
Focus on what will make you happy at your job to boost your work performance better and try asking for a raise next time. You never know you might end up getting the raise you wanted without even asking for it. So, don’t lose hope if things don’t go well and always prepare an alternative plan.
Bottom Line
Asking for a pay raise is a challenging thing to do if you have a low confidence level. Take note that for you to highlight or emphasize your value in your company, you have to be confident with your job and you should do your work properly.
Aside from that, you have to be prepared with the outcome, whether you succeed in getting a raise or not, you must not stop proving your worth and strive hard to boost your work performance to get what you deserve.