How do I ask for a raise the right way?
They say there's a better way to get a raise. What is this way? Does it actually work?
2 answers
★ Best answer
There's probably no universal approach that works with every employer - too much depends on the specific company, your boss, and market conditions. But there's an approach that usually works better than just walking in and asking: prepare your arguments in advance and pick the right moment.
The key is to show your boss that you've become more valuable to the company. Collect examples of your achievements over the last year or two: which projects you've completed, which processes you've improved, which mistakes you've prevented. If you can, put a dollar value on it - how much you've saved or earned for the company. Also look at salaries on the market in similar companies and positions, so you're not asking for the moon but staying within reason.
As for timing - don't ask for a raise when you're in a hurry or when the company is in financial crisis. Better to wait for a period when the company is doing well, or when you've just finished a major project. And definitely schedule a meeting in advance instead of catching your boss in the hallway - it increases the chances of an actual conversation instead of getting brushed off 😊
I think the question "is there a best way" assumes something like a magic pill, but really it all comes down to how much you're needed by your boss and whether the company is willing to pay more. I once just named a sum that seemed fair to me based on market rates in my field - and got it. But my friend tried the same thing in a similar situation and got rejected because his company had a freeze on raises. I guess the main thing is to go in with numbers and arguments, not emotions, and pick a time when your boss isn't too stressed out.
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