It may seem simple to some, but for many, asking for a raise is a nightmare.
After all, this is a moment of great anxiety, requiring firmness and balance in words. After all, you will find yourself alone with your immediate superior.
So, what should you consider when asking for a salary increase?
Think through your arguments in advance
No one will raise wages for no reason; there must be a good reason for it.
So, think through in advance all the reasons why you deserve a salary increase, what exactly you have done, what necessary skills you have and what you plan to do for the company in the future.
Wait for the right moment
If the company is going through a crisis, wait. Also, watch your boss's mood: if he is in a good mood, the chances are significantly higher that he will be more open to listening to your request.
At a bad moment for the company or for your boss, it is better not to make such requests at all: at best, it will be a guaranteed refusal, at worst, you will learn a lot about yourself.
Know how to listen
If your boss has something to say, listen carefully: It's likely feedback on your performance, as well as on the situation your department and company are in. Even if these assessments result in a negative reaction, it's important to listen to them and consider their impact on your message.
Asking for a raise won't always be successful, but it's important to leave the door open so you can come back to it later.
Don't use personal problems
Be honest with yourself, companies usually don't care about personal problems. You don't need to justify your request for a raise by saying that you don't have enough to live on or that someone close to you is seriously ill.
If we are really talking about the illness of loved ones, then it is better to consider a request for one-time financial assistance; usually companies are fine with this, but a salary increase is another matter.
Don't make comparisons
Don't expose your colleagues by saying that some of them earn more or less than you, focus on your goals and arguments. Your salary increase has nothing to do with the salary of your colleagues.
This type of reasoning may make your boss see you as unprofessional.
Don't bluff
Saying that you have received an offer when you actually haven't is the wrong way to go, a lie is short and can hurt you.
Imagine your boss believed this offer and gave you a raise, only to find out it was a lie. Depending on the situation, this could even lead to your being fired for breach of trust.
On the other hand, your company may not have the opportunity for a promotion, so what will you do if you are denied?
Don't break the hierarchy
First of all, you should talk to your immediate supervisor, and not go straight to the CEO. And then your boss, if he is really happy with you, will talk to those people on whom everything really depends.
Talk to your boss in an appropriate place
This request should not be made impulsively in the first place that comes to mind. If you have a corporate event, say, a football match, this is not the best time to make such requests. Instead, ask for a separate meeting when he has enough time to talk to you.
Asking for a raise requires a formal approach. Ask for a meeting with your boss.
Be direct, avoid indirect hints
Be clear with your superiors, express your real wishes and expectations. During the conversation, try not to be aggressive, overly emotional, intimidating or ingratiating.
Show how you can contribute to the company's development and that a promotion means additional motivation and recognition of your work.
Dropping random hints about salary is not the smartest way to win your boss's sympathy. He might even get mad at you.
Be prepared for rejection
Conversations asking for a raise almost never end with "yes, you deserve it, the raise will be next month."
On the contrary, it may be an evasive answer with a promise to think about it or even a loud "not now", in which case do not hang your head. If you receive a negative answer, ask your boss for the timeframe of future negotiations and feedback.
Negotiating a salary increase is always difficult, but always remember two things.
- No one will fire you for asking for a raise, of course, if you expressed it adequately.
- Often, your boss is not at all against giving you a raise, but if you don’t ask, why should he bother?
So gather your strength, read all your arguments again, and go for a promotion!
Earlier we told you how much you can earn in the regions of Belarus.
