How to ask for a raise: five tips for success – and the one thing not to do

If you don’t ask, you don’t get it. That’s the classic advice for employees when it comes to securing a raise.

But being British, many of us are not as good at this as we could be. We often try to avoid what we think could be an awkward conversation.

The best way to overcome any concerns about asking your boss for more money is to be fully prepared for the conversation.

That means you need to clearly argue why you deserve more, you need to be ready to convey your views without getting confused – and you need to know how best to approach your employer.

A well-rehearsed plan and answers to any questions will help you succeed. We ask employment experts what you should do to prepare, how you can argue your case – and get a tip on what not to do.

1. Get the timing right

Timing can be everything in life, and based on the fact that you can’t really ask for a raise multiple times a year, it may be worth knowing the best time to do so.

If there is an annual review process this may be an ideal opportunity to ask, but make sure you arrive well in advance of any deadlines. Ideally, you want to be in your boss’s mind as the process begins, and not at the very end.

Another obvious time to ask for a raise is when you are in line for a promotion, or if you have recently been given more responsibility, or have been asked to take on a new project.

But if none of these are the case, what should you do? Careers expert and author James Innes – also known as The Jobs Guru – says choosing a good time of year can help.

Innes says February to March can be a good time to ask questions: ‘For many businesses the end of the financial year is approaching and budgets are being drawn up for the coming year.’

Alternatively, he recommends the anniversary of your start date. “September is also a good time, after the holidays and before the Christmas period,” he adds.

It’s not just about when, it’s also about what else is going on. Take the bigger picture into account and choose your moment.

Consider whether your employer is facing financial difficulties or business uncertainty, or if your boss is under more stress than normal, as this may make your request less likely to be granted.

2. Understand your value

Before you ask for a meeting to discuss a raise, determine how much money you should ask for – and also assess how you will add value to the company.

For the latter, it is crucial that you can briefly outline some of the key things you are responsible for and how you will add value to your employer.

The latest figures from the ONS show that average wages will have risen by 6.2 per cent per year by the end of 2023, excluding bonuses.

This delivered a real wage increase that was better than the consumer price inflation of 4 percent recorded in December 2023.

But to get the best chance at a good raise, you need to read up on what’s going on in your industry.

Tessa Hollingworth, North West managing director of recruiter Hays, suggests finding out what people in your role are typically paid – not just in your company, but across your industry as a whole.

Both Hay And Total jobs have payroll audit tools to help you do this.

You can also find the average salary for all UK occupations in our overview of the highest paid jobs, using official ONS data.

She says: ‘If you notice that the industry salary for your role is lower than your current salary, you have the right to take this kind of information with you when you have a meeting with your manager.

“However, keep in mind that they are under no obligation to match it then.”

Even when you enter negotiations with data on hand to support your case, be prepared for your employer to try to meet you in the middle.

An alternative approach that Innes recommends is to be careful about specifying your desired salary, as your employer may anchor around that. This can be good advice if your boss has a higher amount in mind than you expect and you talk yourself out of more money.

Innes suggests starting the negotiation in a personal conversation with your boss.

He says: ‘This gives both you and your employer the opportunity to enter into a two-way dialogue, put all the cards on the table and, with a bit of luck, come to a solution that you are both happy with.’

3. Don’t do it by email

The temptation to hide behind an email when requesting a raise is great, but it’s much better to do it in person.

Totaljobs offers this advice: ‘Whether you work from home or in the office, make sure it is a personal request as this is more difficult to decline than a request via Messenger or email.

‘Contact your direct line manager as rising above them will in the vast majority of cases end up being bad politically.

‘The kind of relationship you have with your boss partly determines how you ask for a raise.

‘Boasting the topic informally may prove more successful for some, and can be the start of building a case with more senior stakeholders – but other managers will prefer a formal approach.’

4. Prove that you’re worth a raise

Asking for a raise just because you’re doing your job properly isn’t the best way to get one. Instead, you want to show that you go above and beyond and exceed expectations.

You should also outline what else you can do for the company, and how you, as a highly motivated employee, can move the company forward and add even more value.

Innes suggests thinking about the progress you’ve made in your role and what value you’ve added that makes you deserve a higher salary.

Going into negotiations with examples of your development in the role that supports your request will make your case all the more compelling.

Hollingworth says you need to make a business case. “This should be aimed at demonstrating with evidence the value you bring to the company,” she says.

‘Think about the value you add to your employer. If you’ve taken on additional responsibilities and made critical savings, you already have solid evidence to present. Be specific and provide tangible evidence.”

5. Be willing to compromise

When negotiating with your boss, you must be willing to compromise to reach an agreement that both parties are happy with.

Be grateful for a raise offer and if it doesn’t meet your expectations, see if you can leave the door open for more in the future.

Say that you were hoping for more, but that you understand the situation and that there are opportunities to get where you want to be in the not-too-distant future, say, a year from now.

If you’re not willing to compromise, you could face bigger problems than just a lower salary than you want.

Innes says: ‘I’m not just talking about your chances of successfully negotiating the pay increase, I’m also – and perhaps more importantly – talking about the relationship you have with your current employer.

If your employer cannot increase your salary, or meet the amount you request, they can offer you alternatives such as more holiday pay, more suitable hours or targets to meet over a certain period of time in order to receive future pay. to get up.

Consider these and what they are worth to you. Don’t just think about the figures for the salary you will receive, but also about what your total package is.

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