The right way to ask for a raise

Even when you’re interviewing for a job, there should be a point at which you can discuss what I like to call “opportunities for growth.” Saying the word “raise” before you get hired may be jumping the gun a little bit, but wanting to know how you can expect to progress, both professionally and financially, is not. 

If you’re in the later stages of the interview process, make sure to voice your expectations or at least inquire about how the company supports professional development. If you can’t find the right moment, a potential employer will always ask you if you have any questions for them. Asking things like, “How can I expect to grow at the company?” or “Are their opportunities for advancement on the team?” will get you a relatively accurate expectation of how, and more importantly, when you will receive an increase in pay.

In more corporate environments, when a company makes you an offer, it’s not uncommon for them to put you on a sort of timeline. The first three months are usually a trial phase, so don’t expect any changes in pay or position for at least six months after you got hired. Even then, annual raises, usually following a performance review, are a more realistic expectation.

Even if your annual bump or bonus is a little thin for your wallet’s liking, you still need to time your request strategically. Try to stay involved in the goings on of your company to assess the financial climate of your organization. Did you just lose a major client? It’s probably best not to throw salt on a wound. Conversely, if things seem to be going really well and morale is high, (your boss’s in particular), your request is more likely to be well-received.

While it may never be easy to ask for a raise, the first time is often the most challenging because you simply don’t know how to phrase the question. “Excuse me, may I please have more money,” may be polite, but it’s not professional.

Your best bet is to ask the question indirectly first. Approach your manager or the relevant authority and ask, “What is the process for inquiring about a raise?” Either the conversation will start right there, or you’ll get a better idea of who to go and how to get the process going.

If you’re asking for more that an annual cost of living increase (assuming you received one in the first place), you need to support your request by demonstrating the added value you bring to the company. Have specific contributions ready to present and, whenever possible, explain how your achievements have benefited the company's overall goals. Going one step further and articulating how you intend to expand upon your already stellar performance will also prove that you have no intentions of slowing down after you get that check.

Never let your request come-off as an ultimatum or a guilt trip. This will put your boss on the defensive and pokes holes in your integrity. Even if you know your coworker gets paid more than you do for the same role, it’s not a good idea to bring use that as your line of reasoning in negotiations. He or she may have come from a better paying job and negotiated a higher salary as a result; you just never know. The conversation should be about you, your expectations, and your contributions only.

That being said, if another company has made a better offer, but you really enjoy where you currently work, it’s important that you communicate that. Your boss will respect your honesty and may do whatever it takes, and may even make a counter-offer, to keep you on the team.

Even a raise is well-deserved, you may still get rejected. If you really need financial assistance, inquire about alternatives such as stock options and health benefits. If your boss still won’t budge, redirect the conversation toward the future and discuss ways to increase your responsibilities and contributions so that they may lead to a raise later on. This sort of give-and-take is the hallmark of any healthy relationship, professional or otherwise, as it demonstrates commitment and the desire to grow.