Salaries are always a very important aspect of employee satisfaction. For example even if you find yourself in the perfect role, working with great colleagues in a brilliant company you might still not be completely happy at work because you aren’t receiving a sufficient wage.
Organizations which value their employees will find ways to rewarding their most successful or productive employees, either with personal appraisals or more public recognition such as ’employee of the month’, or of course offering a pay rise.
Related: Salary Negotiation during an interview!
Larger companies will provide appraisals on a yearly basis and make a decision on a pay rise following this. If you don’t have an annual appraisal then there is likely to be a less formal discussion during which it might be appropriate to raise the subject of a salary increase. If you come to the meeting prepared, having carried out your research, you can influence the raise you are given by careful negotiation.
If you do not have a formal salary review on a yearly basis, and you consider you are due for an increase there are times when it is appropriate to approach the subject with your boss. You should make sure you are well prepared for any such conversation.
Read on to find out how best to convince your boss that you deserve a pay rise, and what to do if you don’t get the increment you think you should get.
How to Ask For a Pay Raise Tactful?
Ask to arrange a meeting with the decision maker. If you don’t have a working relationship with that person it might be appropriate to put your request for a meeting in writing highlighting the reasons why you think you are deserving of this.
Put together a report of your contribution to the company:
Decisions on salaries will be based on your ability to increase the profit of the company and how much of an asset to the company you are.
So this is why you should provide a comprehensive, detailed list of your valued contributions to the company, the skills you have acquired, the targets you have achieved, and initiatives and solutions you have brought to new challenges, extra hours you have put in, etc.
This list will give your argument for an increase a real basis, and if you do attend a meeting you can expand upon the points you have raised to put together an even stronger case.
Related: How to include salary expectation in a cover letter
Research Market Rates of your Job profile
If you’re hoping for a pay rise then you’ll also need to think about the current market value for your role. You need to know that what you are asking for is not unreasonable for your role, experience and location.
There is no harm in quoting the figures and information you have obtained within your request letter or during your meeting, but make sure that the data is from a reliable source, and include only examples which are directly comparable to your situation.
Read Body Language and Don’t Overdo Haggling
If you’re having a discussion during a meeting you’ll have an opportunity to see your employer’s body language and can take on board how they react to your request and if there is room for negotiation in any offer they make.
It is not inappropriate to try to negotiate up the first or even second offer that is made to you, but if you push your luck too far it might leave both you and your employer feeling awkward. To help to avoid this, make sure that the conversation does not just revolve about money and also emphasizes how much you enjoy the job and want to stay with the company.
So when’s the Best Time to Discuss the Pay rise?
The most appropriate time to raise the subject of a pay rise is after a successful performance review, or after achieving a major company goal. Make sure your boss is in an approachable mood and is not overloaded with work at that time as they will consider your request as a distraction.
And What if you Don’t Get the Pay rise You Want?
If you have received a negative response to your pay rise request, but get the impression that over compensation may be negotiable then consider asking for improved benefits or bonuses including number of holidays, reduced or flexible working hours, etc.
Perhaps consider offering to take on more responsibility which could come with a pay rise.
Alternatively you could ask again after achieving a significant goal or taking on new responsibilities.
photo by: mary
