Summary

The website content provides strategies for successfully negotiating a raise, emphasizing preparation, knowing one's worth, and having a strong work ethic.

Abstract

The article titled "How to Get a Raise Every Time You Ask" offers insights into the process of requesting a salary increase. It suggests that one should always be prepared with clear and concise points, backed by solid evidence of their work performance. The author stresses the importance of having a well-crafted figure in mind before entering negotiations, as well as ensuring that one's work ethic is exemplary. The piece also advises on the significance of timing, suggesting that speaking with the accounting department can provide valuable guidance on when to ask for a raise. Additionally, discussing with senior colleagues can help set realistic long-term salary expectations. The author, known as Half Pint, encourages readers to know their worth and to never settle for less, aiming for workplaces that appreciate and reward their contributions.

Opinions

The author believes that asking for a raise is an intimidating but necessary step for career growth.
It is crucial to have a strong work ethic, as it is difficult to justify a raise without it.
Preparation is key; one should anticipate potential counterarguments and rehearse their points.
It is important to lead with a specific desired salary figure to set the negotiation bar.
Consulting with the payroll department can provide insights into the company's financial situation and the best timing for a raise request.
Discussions with senior co-workers can help determine the potential for salary satisfaction in the long term.
The author values workplaces that recognize and compensate employees for their contributions.

How to Get a Raise Every Time You Ask

Focused strategies you have to try immediately!

Asking for a raise can be one of the most intimidating things you can ever do. No matter how long you’ve been in your job or how comfortable you are there, it’s just an awkward situation!

Unless your boss is calling you into their office to pat you on the back and hand you a healthy bonus (which happens less often than we’d all like, I’m sure) getting a wage increase is completely up to us to go after and get.

I’ve always approached asking for raises in a tiptoe sort of fashion, doing extensive research and putting out feelers before going in for the big ask. This is necessary, in my opinion, if you want guaranteed success every time you ask for a wage increase, no matter how frequently.

There are a couple of key rules I stick to when discussing wage increases with my employer;

- Always be prepared

- Always have a ‘well-crafted figure’ in mind

- Make sure your work ethic speaks for itself. (This is really the most important).

If you don’t have a good work ethic, it’s going to be really hard to convince someone to give you more money.

You have to make sure that you are confident in not only your work but other factors that your employer may take into account like attendance and how well you work with others. If you think based on those points alone that you still deserve a raise, you can go onto the other two points.

Getting Prepared

If you are anything like me, you need to build yourself up for big conversations that are somewhat confrontational. Call me traumatized by past experiences but I like to prepare for every single argument that could get tossed at me in rebuttal to my points.

Believe me, getting some business owners to part with more of their money can be a big feat, and can sometimes take multiple, multiple attempts to slowly climb to where you think you should be.

Play out everything as if you are rehearsing for the lead in the play. Write out a script if you have to and make sure your points are clear and concise. By laying out undeniable facts about your work with solid evidence and strong footing, you’re making it impossible for them to say no.

Crafting the Figure

This is going to be done long before you even prepare your speech with the head honcho.

NEVER: Ask for a raise without naming your desired number.

Here’s why: you don’t want them to be the first to come up with a number that’ll be undervalued and disappointing.

Most likely, the numbers that come to mind for either of you are going to be very different so it’s best to lead with your expectation to set the bar. That way, if negotiations start, you’re working around your number, not theirs.

Now that we got that straight, I never like to go into any situation naive to details so there are a couple of things I will do in research for the magical number that I’m going to be aiming for.

Talk to the one who creates the cheques.

Not who signs them who but creates them. The best thing I ever did for myself the last time I asked for a raise was talked to the accountant before speaking with my boss. At this time I worked relatively close with the accounting department at my company and when I was contemplating a raise, I had the idea to talk to the head of the payroll and see if my expectations aligned with reality. He was in the office every day seeing what me and co-workers did, day in and day out and would be able to tell me whether I was deserving of what I was asking for or not.

Additionally, he guided me on the best time to approach the situation. At the time, the company was going through a transition and he recommended I wait until the next quarter to ensure I’d get the most successful outcome.

This was very useful advice and gave me extra confidence heading into the boss’s office knowing not only that I was worthy but equally important, they could afford it.

Talk to your senior co-workers.

This is an excellent way to make sure you can have long-term goals in your workplace.

I’ve been in a couple of positions that were like a fast rise to nowhere. It’s best to find this out early to not waste your time.

If you are comfortable enough to have the money talk with people that you work around or under, this can be an excellent way to determine if you will be happy with your wage when you’ve worked there as long as they have. They don’t have to divulge what their salary is if that’s too personal but just knowing that they are happy and thriving means you can most likely look forward to the same!

At the end of the day, working for people that value and appreciate your abilities and reward you accordingly is the ultimate outcome and knowing your worth and never settling for less will always lead you to better horizons.

Best of luck friends!

And thanks for hanging out,

Half Pint.

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