Before I accept any job, I always think about the potential growth in my position, whether it’s a management position or a yearly pay raise. If you’re like me, you work your ass off all year for the possibility of a raise. No one likes to be stuck in the same salary forever. The cost of living is constantly rising, especially in NYC.
However, asking for a raise can be pretty nerve-wracking. You have to ask at the right time in the right way, or you risk getting turned down.
Don’t worry though. NYGal is here to help. Here’s how to ask for that New Year’s raise.
Do Your Research
Before going in to ask for that raise, make sure you’ve done your research. Look up the average salary for your position and combine it with the number of years you’ve been working for the company. Make sure you also look at the salary for your city. While the average salary for a marketing assistant in a small town may be low, it might a lot higher in the city because of the cost of living. If you’re making lower than the average, it’ll be easier to persuade your boss.
Present your boss with all the facts in a manner that’s easy to follow. It’s helpful to use graphs or other visuals to present your case so your boss isn’t stuck reading a bunch of papers.
Pick Your Timing
You definitely want to make sure your boss is in a good mood on the day you ask for that raise. I know you’re probably thinking, how will I know if they’re in a good mood? Well, if it’s 9 AM and your boss is already yelling at your coworkers, it’s probably not the right day to ask. If you go in when they’re in a bad mood, they’re going to shut the door in your face.
Also, don’t ask on a super busy day. You know those days when your boss is just running around all day. You don’t want to chase them up and down the halls to ask for a raise. Wait for a slower day when they have more time to discuss it with you.
Ask For A Meeting
You’ll want to get your boss alone in a scheduled meeting. There’s nothing worse than rehearsing your speech and having everything planned just to get interrupted by your coworkers. In a set meeting with your boss, you’ll have them all to yourself to state your case.
Make sure you schedule an adequate amount of time for the meeting. If you only ask for ten minutes, that’s all you’ll get. Don’t be afraid to ask for a half hour if you need it. If your boss values you as an employee, they’ll have no problem setting aside some time to speak with you.
Review Your Evaluations
This one is super important. Most companies have an evaluation system for their employees. Review yours for the year and make sure your performance is up to par. You’ll want to have good feedback from your supervisors for back up. If most of your evaluations aren’t superior, it’s not the right year to ask for a raise. Only hard workers deserve a reward.
If your company doesn’t do formal evaluations, ask your supervisors and coworkers to write letters evaluating your performance. Ask them to be open and honest. Of course, you’ll want to ask people who you know will give you a high rating.
Be Confident
Once you have everything you need to support your case, remember that deliverance is key. Make your boss believe that you deserve that raise. It’s just like selling a product. Even if a customer doesn’t need your product, by the end of your speech, they’ll believe they do.
Just don’t be too pushy. Pushy salesmen are the worst! Be natural and confident. If you deserve that raise, you’ll get it.
