Phrases like “I really need it,” “Pretty please,” and “Money or your life?” still don’t work. If you want to ask for a raise, read the updated article about effective ways to say, “I want a salary increase.”
If it has been a while since your last salary raise, it’s time to remind your boss yourself. Work.ua shares tips on how to properly ask for a raise and what arguments to present in favor of an increase.
1. “I exceeded the target by … percent”
This includes the number of clients attracted, deals closed, articles written, and so on. Use numbers. Statistics, combined with a compelling story about your achievements, are the best argument for a salary increase.
Bad example:
“I work harder than everyone else. Others don’t sell anything at all. Meanwhile, every day I close sales!”
Good example:
“In the first half of this year, I sold 1.5 times more services than planned, attracted 50 new clients who became regular customers, and received the “Best Salesperson of the Year” award four times. Based on these results, can we reconsider my salary?”
2. “I know how to make everything work even better”
If you have an innovative solution to improve the company’s efficiency, great! This is your chance to show your value to the management. Share your solution with your supervisor, demonstrating your significance. Just don’t reveal everything right away. Save something for later, so your contribution doesn’t go unnoticed.
Bad example:
“I came up with something, but I won’t tell anyone until you raise my salary by 44%. And give me a separate office. And a helicopter. And a bag of candies.”
Good example:
“I analyzed the department’s work, identified its weaknesses, and found a solution to strengthen them. I have a ready-to-implement document with instructions for implementing my proposal. According to my calculations, we can see the results within a week. Forecasts show a 20% increase in sales over the next two months. I’m ready to personally supervise this project. I believe it would be fair to review my salary as well.
The article “8 Reasons To Leave Your Job… And One Reason Against!” might also be of interest to you. We recommend giving it a read.
3. “My salary is below the market average”
If you are a specialist in your field, it should be reflected in your salary. How do you know if you’re being adequately compensated? Look at the average wage level in your industry segment. Consider your location (in the capital, for example, salaries may be higher than in other regions) and experience. If your salary is below the average, it’s a cause for concern.
Bad example:
“You don’t appreciate me. You’re not paying me enough! Why do all decent companies pay starting from 10,000 hryvnias, but I’m sitting here barely above the minimum wage?”
Good example:
“I researched the average salary level for my profession in our region. It turns out that professionals at my level earn 4,000 dollars per month. Meanwhile, I receive 15% less while performing tasks beyond what is required in my job description.”
4. “I’ve been offered a good position at another company”
Attention! You can only use this phrase when it’s actually true. Never attempt to blackmail your boss, as the consequences can be irreversible.
If you genuinely received a job offer with a higher salary, it’s worth considering. Especially if you don’t want to leave your current job – you enjoy the team, find the tasks interesting, but you also need better compensation.
What to do then?
Honestly tell your boss about the new offer. Express that you don’t really want to leave, but they are offering a higher salary. When using this approach, be prepared for the possibility of rejection. Then you’ll have to make a real choice – money or internal comfort.
5. “I’m ready to take on more responsibility”
If you are genuinely ready for it, ask the management to expand your responsibilities, which would come with a salary increase. Alternatively, you can take on additional work yourself.
For example:
“If you’re working as a salesperson on a 2/2 schedule, you can request to change it to 3/1, 5/2, etc. An accountant can take on additional tasks related to incoming correspondence, while an electrician can handle general labor tasks, and so on.”
The article “50 Tips To Increase Your Productivity” might also be of interest to you. We recommend giving it a read.
6. “I have taken on more responsibilities”
Let’s say you’re a sales manager and a few years ago, you started in a light position, making 15 calls a day and meeting sales targets. But over time, you proved yourself as a top-notch salesperson, took on the responsibility of training newcomers, created a powerful training program for them, and even managed key clients.
If this happened naturally, without any prior agreement with management regarding increased compensation, and you’re still receiving the same low salary, it’s time to change the situation. But don’t rush. First, analyze your effectiveness. You can create a Google spreadsheet and list all the projects you’ve been involved in and the results you’ve achieved. Only then should you approach your boss for a conversation 😉
The road will be conquered by the one who walks it. You are solely responsible for your life, so if you want something, don’t wait for it to be offered to you. It’s not a crime to ask for what you deserve. Work.ua believes that you will succeed!
