WHEN TO ASK FOR A RAISE

Table of Contents Hide

How to Know When to Ask for a Raise
What Are the Reasons to Ask for a Raise?
When to Ask for a Raise Part-Time
When to Ask for a Raise at a New Job
When Should I Ask for a 20% Raise?
What Not to Say When Asking for a Raise?
Conclusion
FAQs
How often should you get a raise?
Is it normal to get a raise every year?
Similar Posts
Reference

Knowing when to ask for a raise in a new job or part-time is just as important as knowing how to ask for a raise when it comes to your career advancement. There will come a time in your work when a pay increase is not just warranted but expected. There’s no way to know for sure if requesting a raise will actually result in you obtaining it, but it doesn’t hurt to try. Professional that takes their career seriously will know when to ask for a raise since they realize their worth. If you’re underpaid, it doesn’t matter how much you love your job or how much your employer loves you. Also, learning when it’s appropriate to ask for a pay raise is essential. In this article, we will get to know the reasons to ask for a raise.

How to Know When to Ask for a Raise

There are some things you can do before asking for a raise that can improve your chances of actually earning that raise. If you convince your employer that you deserve a pay increase, they may be persuaded to do so. You can use these pointers to help you negotiate a raise in pay:

#1. Wait for the Proper Time to Ask

When you want to ask for a pay raise, timing is everything. The time immediately following the conclusion of a project or the receipt of an acknowledgment for achievement on the job is an ideal opportunity to make such a request. In this way, your employer may remember all of your hard work with ease.

If a business is booming, that’s another ideal moment to talk about a raise. If the company has recently introduced a new product or signed with a new client, for instance, it may be in a better financial position to offer you a pay boost.

Hold off on talking to your boss until he or she is feeling receptive. To avoid making your employer feel like they have to make a choice on the spot, it’s best to schedule a meeting with them at a time when they’re not particularly busy. The meeting you request will most likely be seen as a discussion of your salary if you add that you want to discuss your position.

#2. Annual Review

Whenever you receive a yearly evaluation at your place of employment, it almost always indicates that you will be receiving a pay raise. If this is the case at your company, then you should also be keeping track of the accomplishments you have accomplished over the course of the past year and letting your supervisor know about them.

Keep in mind that even if your boss has already been praising the effort that you have been putting in, you should still bring it to their attention. Build your case and demonstrate why the company would benefit from having you on board. Make sure to include a list of your previous successes in the submission.

#3. Others Have Got Raises

Most people keep information like this close to the vest, but it always seems to leak out when people in the office start getting pay hikes. Finding out that other employees have asked for and received increases might be a good indicator that it’s acceptable for you to do the same if you’re at or above the required level of performance.

The only thing we’d warn you about is bringing up the pay raises of other workers while asking for a raise yourself. You, your accomplishments, and your prospective contributions to the firm should all be taken into account when discussing your salary. Saying to your manager, “Hey, Jessica got a raise and I do twice the work she does” comes to seem petulant.

#4. You Have Several Job Offers

The primary incentive for a corporation to give raises is the fear of losing good staff to competitors.

To that end, if you feel underpaid and have done some job-hunting and been offered a higher salary elsewhere, you have a strong bargaining chip in your hands. But do so with caution. Don’t come off as arrogant or insistent. Showcase your accomplishments and allow your numbers to do the talking; just let them know you’ve been awarded a raise.

But be ready to leave, and never try to bluff your way out of anything. If you aren’t willing to walk away or are dishonest, you’ll create a hostile work atmosphere with management and make it difficult to advance in the future.

#5. You Have Acquired Some New Knowledge or Training

Have you done anything to distinguish yourself differently, like attend a special course or earn a degree? If that’s the case, it’s time to ask for a pay raise.

The best method to get that pay raise is to show that you are worth much more than you are now being compensated for. It’s to your advantage to stand out in every way you can. It’s a good idea to ask for a raise if you’re the only person in your department with a graduate degree or if you have unique training or skills that no one else has.

Also, it’s always a plus when you can demonstrate that you’re a top performer with unique abilities that set you apart from the competition.

#6. The Stable Financial Position of Your Company

We know you already know this, but we’ll state the obvious. Before asking for a raise, you should carefully evaluate the company’s financial situation.

If a business is brisk, profits are up, and objectives are being reached generally, then by all means, press on. If circumstances are favorable, your chances of success increase significantly. Yet, if the company is laying off employees, experiencing financial difficulties, and is on the verge of collapse, asking for a raise may be seen as insensitive.

If you are a genuine rockstar with high performance, you may be able to get away with it, but otherwise, proceed cautiously and assess the situation.

What Are the Reasons to Ask for a Raise?

Employees that put in a lot of effort, demonstrate that they are helpful to the company, and have room for further advancement typically receive pay increases. It is imperative that you are able to respond to the question “Why do you deserve a raise?” from the perspective of your employer before you make the request for a pay increase. The following are some of the reasons why you may be eligible for a pay raise:

#1. You Go Above and Beyond the Limits of Your Job

One of the most compelling reasons your boss should consider giving you a raise is the quality of your work. Some examples of going above and beyond the call of duty are taking on additional tasks, meeting or exceeding targets, and providing assistance to colleagues. If you’re an editor working in the marketing department, for instance, you’ll probably spend most of your time proofreading and copy-editing documents. Although, when other authors in the department are falling behind on their work, you step in to help.

Talking to your boss about taking on additional responsibilities is another method to demonstrate your value and earn a promotion at work. Get them to talk about the precise responsibilities they have to fulfill but hate doing so. Put your name in the hat if you’re capable of handling these responsibilities. This not only demonstrates to your boss that you’re willing to take on extra responsibility but also helps them out by lowering their workload. This is a proper reason to ask for a pay raise.

#2. Maintaining a Wonderful Personality

Likeability should not be undervalued. Is it important to get good results? Absolutely. An optimistic outlook, though, can help your cause immensely. Having a positive attitude is not the same as brown-nosing or sucking up to your boss, which is a no-no. That you are willing to take on new challenges and consider alternative viewpoints. You discover a method to stay optimistic and proactive rather than pessimistic and reactive even when considering probable obstacles. A proverb about how better to lure honeybees than vinegar.

Or, to put it another way: people tend to offer promotions to those they like. Showing that you can work with others and are flexible and friendly will go a long way toward advancing your cause.

#3. Your Role as a Mentor in the Workplace

You, your mentee, and the company as a whole can all gain from the mentoring relationship. Mentorship can take the shape of a formal program organized by your company’s human resources department, or it can be an ad hoc agreement between you and another staff member. Your worth to the organization as a whole rises as a mentor since you help other employees develop their skills and abilities. Becoming a mentor can also help you hone your leadership abilities, a trait highly sought after by prospective employers.

#4. Continuously Developing and Improving

Is your current position identical to the one you held three years ago? It’s safe to say that that’s not a good development.

Companies seek out employees that can multitask and are willing to pick up new skills quickly. Do you expect to be given additional duties at work? Have you sought out new work or made inquiries about expanding your current horizons? Do you plan to pursue any further education that will make you a more valued employee in the long run? You will have a better chance of getting a raise when you ask for one if you demonstrate that you are interested in and invested in the company’s future success.

#5. You’re an Integral Part of the Reason This Company Thrives

If your contributions to the company’s success are substantial, you may be eligible for a pay raise. It all depends on your role in the organization and the specifics of how you contribute value to the business. If you’re in sales, for instance, you might have to prepare a presentation in order to convince a major client to sign a lucrative deal that will bring in a lot of money for the firm. If you’re a graphic designer, for instance, and you regularly meet and even exceed your weekly assignments while also receiving few, if any, requests for revisions, you’re likely increasing both client happiness and productivity.

When to Ask for a Raise Part-Time

There are now 27 million people working part-time in the United States, up from 20 million in 1990. Although 2020 saw a decrease, the overall trend is quite noticeable. Part-time employees are in high demand, and their worth to businesses is rising.

Whether weighing a full-time job offer or accepting a promotion, it’s common to discuss salary. But, you may be wondering if it is acceptable to negotiate your wage if you are working thirty hours or less per week if you are seeking a part-time job, or if you are considering asking your manager for a pay raise.

The ongoing debate about raising the minimum wage in the US, it’s an important subject to consider. Even while it may seem like a huge leap of faith to try to negotiate your salary or ask for a pay raise when working part-time, the answer is yes.

You should come into the discussion ready to present your case, just as you would if you were negotiating your wage with a different employer. Here are scenarios of when to ask for a raise as a part-time.

#1. Find Out as Much as You Can About Your Part-Time Job

Before approaching your boss about a pay raise as a part-time employee, the first thing you should do is investigate the company. Businesses have varying strategies for utilizing part-time workers. When it comes down to it, every side gig is unique. You might not even have a salary, to begin with, so it’s not like you’ll be asking for more money.

Ask Around: In other words, if you don’t trust your employees, this won’t be relevant to you. In uncertain, ask a coworker. If you work with other part-timers, researching their compensation ranges may help you negotiate yours. Thus, if you want to perform some fast investigating, you should also check the salaries of your coworkers. You should probably tell your boss about the situation if you discover that they are getting paid more than you are. Similarly, if you discover that they make roughly the same amount, you as a part-time employee will have a better idea of how much money to ask for pay raise.
Refer to the company’s guiding document: Maybe you have a copy of the company handbook. Probably haven’t looked at it since you started working here. Also, the corporate handbook can inform you about company policy. You can discover about your pay raise possibility in the pay area.
See what others in your position make: Industry research is the last homework assignment. This should apply to all industries. Comparison is an excellent approach to show you deserve a raise. If you can prove that other people in your job are making more, you can negotiate a raise. Make sure you understand the industry before entering your supervisor’s office. Check out our salary rise calculator. These homework helpers are wonderful. Before you ask for a pay raise as a part-time employee gather some data.

#2. Provide a Summary of Your Successes

It is a good idea to come up with a list of points to make when scheduling a meeting with your supervisor to ask for a pay raise for your part-time work. Since salary increases are typically not handed out at random, this is especially true for part-time workers. You will be required to provide proof in support of your request for a salary increase.

Are you helping the company succeed? Whilst it can appear like working part-time doesn’t amount to much, don’t discount its worth. A part-time employee’s contribution to an organization can often be significant. Consequently, it may be time when to ask for a raise as a part-time employee if you see that the place you work is flourishing as a direct result of your efforts. In truth, firms are willing to pay more for talented workers, so a pay increase is possible if you prove your worth to the company.
Are you putting in longer hours than usual? Jobs that need less than 40 hours per week of commitment are typically considered part-time. Hours and schedules may be flexible, but if your job has recently risen, you may want to consider negotiating a pay raise. In any field, if you find yourself working twice as many hours as usual, you should know when to ask for a pay raise as a part-time employee. In addition, if this is the case, going full-time could be a wise decision.

#3. Your Track Record

Although there is a lot of variety in this discussion, it is helpful to think of your record as your tenure with the organization. It may be time to ask for a raise if you are consistently the first one to work, the last one to leave, and the one who puts in the most effort. Get some of this on record if you want to use it as evidence of your achievements.

To a large extent, this will depend on your own estimation of your progress. If you want a pay raise, you should be able to give convincing reasons for why you should get one.

#4. An Abrupt Shift in Plans

Sometimes the freedom that comes with having a part-time job can also be a major hindrance. You should probably ask for a pay raise if your schedule is suddenly altered or if your shift lengthens significantly. This is because having your daily routine shaken up by unexpected schedule shifts is so common. That is something that every successful business understands.

As an illustration, consider a scenario in which you are required to work at night rather than during the day. Because of this, a person’s life may be thrown off-kilter. A raise is in order if you opt to adjust to the new circumstances. You won’t need the explanation as much as in other places because this one is rather clear. For those of you going through this kind of transition, this is something you should think about seriously.

Ask for a pay increase while negotiating a new work schedule. This is a perfect opportunity for you to schedule some uninterrupted time with your superior. The outcome could end up surprising you.

How Much of a Raise Should I Ask For?

Try to negotiate a raise of at least 10%, preferably 20%, over your current salary. Depending on your level of performance, tenure with the organization, and other criteria, you may be able to negotiate for a higher salary. When negotiating a pay raise, it’s important to arrive ready and to do so with confidence. Also, read HOW TO ASK YOUR BOSS FOR A RAISE: Effective Tips.

How Do You Politely Ask for a Raise?

You should get your argument ready ahead of time and figure out what value you can contribute. Before you go into the actual meeting, it is a good idea to run over your pay raise request and obtain input from others. Set up a meeting to ask for a pay raise at a convenient time so that you may increase the likelihood that your request will be granted. At the meeting, demonstrate a sense of self-assurance, make use of data, and be polite.

When to Ask for a Raise at a New Job

Bringing up the topic of a pay raise with your supervisor is something most employees would rather avoid at all costs. If your company doesn’t give annual increases and you’re not being promoted, you may need to ask for one. Understanding when to ask for a pay raise for a new job is totally appropriate, and most bosses and business owners desire to provide well for their employees.

While the procedure may appear daunting and awkward, it need not be if you have a good relationship with your supervisor. You’ll have more courage to start the conversation if you’ve prepared thoroughly and are armed with relevant information. Here is when to ask for a raise at a new job.

#1. Summarize Your Progress Over the Past Six Months

Specify the results you’ve made and the results your department and the firm as a whole have seen as a result of your efforts. I increased the company’s lead generation by 8 percent last year, to 5,000, you might say. An additional $58,000 in revenue was generated as a direct result of these efforts.

When given those kinds of data, it’s impossible for a manager to say no to a request. When asking for a pay raise at your new work, provide proof to reinforce your stance.

It’s important to show that you’re dedicated to the organization by highlighting your accomplishments and the time and energy you’ve put into your work. In addition, committed workers earn their bosses’ confidence, which will benefit your case.

#2. Find Out What the Going Rate Is for Your Position

Salary.com and PayScale offer free salary reports that can help you compare your earnings to those of others in your field. LinkedIn is also a fantastic tool for this purpose. You can either look at wage ranges given in actual job postings or utilize LinkedIn’s own averages. Think about the sector in which you operate, the company’s size, and the perks it offers. It is recommended to get advice from recruiting professionals as much as possible because some organizations just do not pay well. Ask local recruiters and hiring managers with whom you’re connected (maybe on LinkedIn) for feedback on your resume in order to set a reasonable compensation expectation.

#3. Goals for the Future

A corporation is betting on your future success by increasing its long-term financial commitment to you. Explaining your innovative ideas, projects, and long-term objectives is essential if you want to get a pay raise. That shows your company that you’re committed to the here and now while keeping an eye on the future. It shows that you’re forward-thinking and, therefore, a more secure investment option. So as a part-time or full-time employee with goals for the future knows when to ask for a pay raise in your new job.

When Should I Ask for a 20% Raise?

When one receives a positive evaluation of their performance at work, it is appropriate to inquire regarding monetary advancement. It is common practice for businesses to link pay rises to employees’ performance reports, which makes perfect sense: workers who consistently produce high-quality output should be compensated for the value they add to the company. Hence, if you have received a positive performance review, now would be an appropriate moment to ask 20% increase in salary.

What Not to Say When Asking for a Raise?

Don’t believe all you’ve heard about asking for a pay raise. Yet now is as good a time as any to demand you’re just compensation.

As the workforce appears to be decreasing, employees have more leverage than ever thanks to the Great Resignation (according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics). According to the Wall Street Journal, a growing number of American workers are leaving their positions, posing difficulties in employee retention. In the wake of the pandemic, many workers are taking stock of their work-life balance (maybe you are one of them) and considering making some adjustments. Yet, instead of leaving, perhaps it’s time to advance in one’s current position. You should think of ways to better your existing condition before striking out on your own or handing in your resignation.

However, if you’re hoping for a promotion or raise in pay, don’t make these common mistakes.

#1. New Shoes for Your Infant

A raise is not something to pursue if it serves only your own selfish ends. Certainly, all employees would benefit from a higher salary. Well, so what else is new? There is a gap between your preferences and the needs of your employer. Similarly, exploiting your employer’s position as a prisoner in the present job market as leverage is a horrible tactic. The employer won’t be able to aid you if your bargaining strategy doesn’t benefit them. Employees are in short supply, yet everyone is ultimately replaceable.

Assuming you have the upper hand or that your requirements are of utmost importance to your boss is a huge mistake. Your employer genuinely cares about your well-being and the quality of your work life. But think about where your money is coming from; it isn’t to satisfy your desires. It’s the answer you give to your company’s problem. If you can make that solution more valuable, you’ll be in a stronger negotiating position. Don’t just think about buying a new pair of shoes; think about a win-win situation.

#2. Give Me a Raise!

Hold up a minute. To be greedy is to be scary. Success can’t be achieved by purely selfish means. Notice how “gimme gimme” remarks receive a “so what?” from every management. Three instances are as follows: After a year, I can finally say, “I’ve been here!” The landlord increased the rent and I can’t afford it! I’m quite pleased to announce that I have recently leased an Infiniti. Well, man, your financial situation is entirely your own business. Your company can’t help you with your leasing or landlord problems, and they can’t reward you for your years of service with a gold watch. To what extent are you willing to fulfill your end of the bargain in this employment agreement? If you want a raise, show how you’ve improved the company’s bottom line.

#3. Evidence Suggests No

If you weren’t given an A+ on your most recent performance review, you still haven’t moved past Step 2. If your actions haven’t earned the rewards you seek, you shouldn’t expect to receive them. You are heading in the correct direction if you can show that you are performing at a higher level and provide multiple examples of increased contributions. Even if you’re ready to march out the door if the company doesn’t pay you what you’re asking, you shouldn’t use it as leverage. Highlight your positive impact and explain how your raise or promotion will benefit the business.

It’s not the same negotiation if you’re also fielding offers from other companies whom you’ve interviewed. The phrase “I have another offer” is not a valid justification for a pay increase. Being a mercenary in the workplace (by saying things like “I will work for the highest bidder”) breeds mistrust and sends a clear message to your supervisor that you want to depart in the near future. Don’t toss loyalty out the window as a negotiating tactic if it still counts to you at your organization.

Conclusion

You won’t necessarily obtain what you’re due just because you know how and when to ask for a pay raise. It’s a good idea to put out feelers if your employer is avoiding the issue or if the company’s financial situation doesn’t appear promising.

Furthermore, re-evaluate your professional goals and your motivation to continue at the company if you are dissatisfied with the reasons why a raise isn’t possible or with the path given to obtain higher money. Keep your chin up as you wait.

Keep your cool if you get a yes and proceed with professionalism. Show your appreciation and keep up the fantastic work. Positive interactions with coworkers are also crucial. Your supervisor will feel bad about giving you a raise if you flaunt it around the office, and you’ll cause strife among your coworkers.

FAQs

How often should you get a raise?

Wait at least six months after starting a new job before bringing up the subject of a pay increase. If you’ve been with the company for a while, chances are your boss will reward you with a pay increase. You are eligible for one annual request if you have been with the business for several years.

Is it normal to get a raise every year?

Most employers give their employees an average increase of 3% per year. Consistent job switching may have an impact on the rate at which your salary increases. However, you shouldn’t focus solely on your salary; instead, you should evaluate all the compensation you’ll receive.