Asking for a Raise
As a manager, I’ve had many people over the years ask me for raises. Some people are very comfortable asking for raises and others are very uncomfortable. The ones that are comfortable usually approach it the same way. After a successful project in which they were a key part, they ask me for feedback. My feedback is usually good, and so they then say they think they have really gone above and beyond what was required of them and they give supporting examples. Then they ask me if I agree they had gone above and beyond what was required of them. If I respond yes, they ask for a raise. They are negotiating from a position of strength.
What they have done is made me an active participant in justifying a raise for them. Brilliant!
Then there are those that aren’t as comfortable and stumble through the ask.
What Not to Say When Asking for a Raise
Please don’t tell me that you accepted a lower salary and it’s been 6 months since you were hired and you think you need a raise. That just tells me that you didn’t think you were worth asking for more during original negotiations. Much better approach would be the above example.
Don’t start out with, “I’ve asked some of my friends that work at other companies what they make and they are all making $20,000 more than I.” My response will be, “You are paid exactly what others are paid at your job level within our company.”
If you think you aren’t being paid what others in the group are making, best approach it as a discussion around your current skill set and value to the organization. Again, using a successful project in which you were key is a good way to start the discussion.
The above examples of what not to do are examples of negotiating from a position of weakness. Instead, you want to enlist your manager in advocating for your raise. You want to negotiate from a position of strength.
By using a successful project and explaining how you were key in its success and how you performed at a higher level, you get me to either agree or disagree. If I agree and then you ask for a raise, I have to consider it. After all, I did acknowledge that you were key to the success of the project. Always come from a position of strength.