Negotiating A Pay Rise
There are many reasons for wanting a pay rise. Perhaps you've worked hard, met your objectives and taken on additional responsibility. Or maybe it's simply been so long since you last had a pay rise that you can't remember when it was. Whatever your reasons, how do you broach the subject with your boss without feeling pushy or awkward, or backing out at the last minute?
Set up a meeting with your boss
Make sure you have your employer's full attention. A passing comment at the coffee machine is easy to ignore and won't give you enough time to get your point across. Schedule time in your boss's diary to discuss your points. There's nothing wrong with saying what you want to discuss - it helps them to think about it in advance, and managers rarely like surprises!
Prepare, prepare, prepare
Make a note of all your achievements and think of the things you have done to stand out. Be prepared to give examples of how have you beaten targets, contributed to the team's success, supported other colleagues... in short, how have you gone the extra mile.
Take your notes with you to talk through in the meeting. If you are well prepared you will enter more confidently, and convey a greater sense of focus and professionalism.
Be clear-headed and assured
State your case calmly and confidently. You are both adults entering into a negotiation. Even though the matter is very close to your heart, you will need to leave emotion to one side. Complaining that 'it's not fair' does not give an impression of professionalism and may well work against your case.
Getting another job as leverage - don't go there
This is a very risky strategy and is not recommended. Only take this route if you really are willing to leave and go to your alternative job. No-one likes to be pushed into a corner and this approach can easily backfire if your bluff is called. Even if it works, it doesn't say much about your commitment to the job you are currently being paid to do.
And if the answer is no....
Sometimes things are not in your control (or your boss's for that matter). The board may have imposed a freeze on pay rises, business performance might be poor, or there may just be no budget left in the pot. Whatever the reason, take that on board. You now have experience in how to ask for a pay rise. So having made your case effectively, you are more likely to succeed next time.
Thank your boss for his/her time and attention, and ask for a follow up meeting in, say, three or six month's time.
Ask for feedback
What have you done well? Where are there opportunities for improvement? What would your boss like to see more of? Getting answers to these questions will help you gain a clear view of how you need to work to make the next negotiation a successful one.
Training can help in any instance
Whether the answer is yes or no, you may well benefit from training to help you move forward. Again, feedback is really useful here. Ask your boss and your colleagues where they see your strengths and weaknesses, what training they have benefited from, and what they recommend. Successful people are constantly learning and developing themselves, and training can help you build on past successes as well as prepare for new ones.