"How to Ask for a Raise"

Asking for more money is uncomfortable. But if you don’t ask, you often don’t get.

Here’s how to do it professionally.

Timing Matters

Good times to ask:

• During performance reviews
• After completing a big project successfully
• When taking on new responsibilities
• At your work anniversary
• When market rates have shifted

Bad times:

• When the company is struggling financially
• Right after a colleague was let go
• During your manager’s most stressful period
• Your first few months in the role

Do Your Research

Know what people in your role earn:

• Seek salary data
• Hays salary guide
• Industry surveys
• Glassdoor

You need data, not just feelings, to support your request.

Build Your Case

Document your achievements:

• Projects you’ve delivered
• Revenue you’ve generated or saved
• Problems you’ve solved
• Responsibilities you’ve taken on
• Positive feedback you’ve received

Quantify wherever possible. “I feel like I’ve been working hard” is weak. “I delivered a project that saved $50K” is strong.

Request the Meeting

Don’t ambush your manager. Request a specific meeting:

“Could we schedule some time to discuss my compensation? I’d like to share some thoughts about my role.”

This gives them time to prepare too.

The Conversation

Be direct but not aggressive:

“I’ve been in this role for [X time] and I’d like to discuss my salary. Based on my contributions and market rates, I believe an adjustment to [X] would be appropriate.

Here’s why: [your achievements and evidence]”

Then stop and listen.

Be Ready for Responses

“We don’t have budget right now”:
Ask when budget reviews happen and lock in a follow-up.

“You need to improve in X first”:
Ask for specifics and what salary adjustment you can expect when you hit those goals.

“Let me think about it”:
Get a specific date for a follow-up conversation.

Don’t Make Threats

“Pay me more or I’ll leave” rarely works – even if it’s true.

If you have another offer, you can mention it factually: “I want to be transparent that I’ve received another offer. I’d prefer to stay here, and I wanted to discuss whether we could revisit my compensation.”

But be prepared for them to say no.

If the Answer Is No

Ask what it would take to get a yes in future. Get specifics. Then decide if you want to stay.

Sometimes the answer reveals that it’s time to move on.