How To Ask For A Raise | The Do's And Don'ts In 2022

You’re here because you’re not quite sure how to ask for a raise. You’ve worked hard and shown up. You’ve proven yourself to be reliable, dedicated, and a great team player. You know how much you bring to the table, and you know your paycheck doesn’t currently reflect it. 

Why, then, does talking to your boss about a raise make you feel like you’re on the very top of a roller coaster about to plummet over the edge to your certain doom? We get it. These kinds of conversations can be nerve-wracking and fear-inducing, no matter how many times you practice in the mirror beforehand. There’s an inherent level of intimidation involved, no matter how long you’ve been at your company or how close you are with your team.

Thankfully, there are ways to lower that anxiety and steady your emotions, and it all starts with being prepared. When you know the right steps to take, you can be confident in what you’re going to say, even if your voice quivers a little when you say it.

Today, we’re sharing our top dos and don’ts of how to ask for a raise. With the right approach, you just might find that the rollercoaster ride is smoother than you thought.

Do…

Do your research and know what you’re worth

Before you enter that office and start questioning your earnings, it’s important to know what you should be making. You’ll know how to ask for a raise when you learn how much your raise should be. This requires taking the emotion out of your job and focusing on the facts. Sure, it feels like you should be paid a million bucks per year just to put up with that one coworker, but that’s not how it works.

Research similar jobs in your industry, and then compare and contrast those salaries to your own. Where does yours fall on the scale?

There are a few different websites that run salary reports, including Glassdoor and PayScale, as well as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). You can also find more in-depth salary guides on a few key roles in the tech sales industry on our blog! 

Other places to check include industry associations, journals, membership groups, and job boards. You can also reach out to recruiters to understand the positions they’re hiring for and where those salaries usually start.

As you do your homework, keep in mind that there are several factors that affect salary numbers, including:

• Education
• Experience
• Geographic location
• Industry type

Use all of the information to accurately assess what you should be realistically earning in your current role. Bring these reports and findings with you to add credibility to your claims.

Do pick a good time to ask

Want to boost your odds of hearing yes” when you ask for a raise? Try to pick a good time.

Let’s start with when not to make that trek down the metaphorical hall to their office. First, don’t make the request when your boss is obviously under a ton of stress, swamped with work, or hangry. It’s also not a good idea to start this conversation when your company is on the cusp of a big event or project, and everyone's a little distracted. You want to make sure you have their full attention and they’re in a place to actively listen to your points. 

It also goes without saying that it’s best to wait if your company appears to be on shaky ground financially. If they’ve recently reduced costs, laid-off employees, or initiated a hiring freeze, you might not get them to agree to a raise.

So, when should you bring it up?

Ideally, choose a time when your boss is in a good mood and your work performance is on the upswing. For instance, if you’ve recently aced a review, crushed a job goal, or taken on more responsibility, these are all great talking points. It also helps if the company itself is doing well. When profits are up, managers often have more money available to reward top-performing employees.

Timeline-wise, it’s also smart to wait until you’ve been in your current position for at least six months — and things are going well — before you ask for a raise. By then, you’ve established your work ethic and proved your commitment, and you’re ready to take that next step.

Do follow up after

When you finish asking for a raise, your first inclination might be to go sit somewhere quiet and reflect. Or, you might head outside for some air to dry your sweaty palms. However you cope with stress, it’s totally fine to start there.

But once you’ve got your heart rate back to its regular BPM, a quick email or slack message to your boss is a surefire way to stay in good standing and show that you’re invested in your job. 

Whether you leave with a few extra dollars in your pocket or not, don’t leave the conversation and never return to it again. Always follow up within a reasonable timeframe. You don’t have to shoot them an email the second you get back to your desk, but do make it a point to reach out within the next day or two. Let them know that you appreciate their time and that you value their opinion. Half of how to ask for a raise is how to graciously accept the outcome. Following up after shows your relationship to the company remains unaffected and that even if the answer was a no, you’re still dedicated to the work.

PRO TIP: Say thank you no matter the answer

Gratitude makes a good impression on everyone, and it’s something your boss won’t forget. Even if it’s a no” for right now, the more gracious and understanding you are today, the more likely you are to hear yes” in the future.

DON’T…

Don’t wait until you’re desperate

We know the prospect of asking for a raise can feel daunting. For that reason, many employees put off the conversation until the literal last minute. However, procrastinating too long can be detrimental to your mental, physical, and emotional health. It could also put you at a disadvantage when you make your request.

Don’t wait until your bills are piling up, you’re breaking out from stress acne, and you’re working around the clock to make ends meet before you schedule the meeting. If you do so, you’re more likely to crack when you finally get to that chair.

You need to appear confident, polished, and ready when it’s time to talk, not frazzled, tired, and on edge. Today’s work culture has — thankfully — started to move beyond glorifying the idea of overwork, and burnout is no longer a badge of honor. 

You don’t have to prove your hard work by showing up at your wit’s end. Instead, go ahead and consider asking for a raise when you’re at the top of your game. It won’t make you appear overly confident or greedy — it’ll reinforce that you know how valuable you are and you want a salary that shows it.

Don’t come unprepared

Know what you're willing to give up if your boss says no

You don’t want to be caught off-guard by an unexpected response. Half of the battle is knowing how to ask for a raise: The tone, choice, and delivery of your words. There’s honestly no telling how you’ll react, especially if things don’t go your way. As humans, we tend to have knee-jerk reactions when we’re surprised, and some of them aren’t pretty.

That’s why it pays to prepare. Envision the different scenarios that might occur beforehand, think about what you’ll say and do and remember — No matter what happens, keep it professional and courteous.

You should also think about what your next steps will be if you don’t get what you asked for. Will you walk away from the job altogether? Will you ask to move into a different department? Consider what you’re willing to give up and how it will affect your personal and professional life. If you’re unsure, a career coach can help you map out your plans and build your trajectory.

In some cases, you might find that it’s worth it to stay the course until you can try again. Other times, a rejection might be the final straw you need to go in an entirely new direction and prompt a career change, where you can reach your earning potential more quickly. 

Don’t go in without a counteroffer and a backup plan

If you know that you want to stay at your current job no matter how the meeting goes, then be prepared with a counteroffer in case your first request gets shot down.

For instance, if your employer can’t pay you 15% more than you’re currently making, could they give you a 10% bump? What about more paid time off instead of a raise, or a more manageable workload?

Sometimes, the word no” isn’t a closed door. Rather, it’s an opportunity to enter into different, more meaningful discussions about how your company can make your time at work more fruitful, enjoyable, and rewarding. When you come in with a backup plan, you’re less likely to feel rejected if your first appeal doesn’t stick.

Ask For a Raise With Confidence and Courage

Asking your boss for a higher salary might seem scary, but you have the power within you to do it. And now you know how to ask for a raise as well. As long as you know that your request is reasonable, well-timed, and well-planned, there’s nothing holding you back!

At Uvaro, we’re here to support your continued Career Success. Whether you’re looking to grow your current skill set or step into an entirely new field, we have the courses, workshops, webinars, and resources to help you get there. 

Check out our Career Success Catalog to learn more about the tools we provide and how to get started. Before long, you could be the one behind the desk, fielding requests for raises instead of preparing your own. Let’s start that journey together!