What Not to Do When Asking For A Raise

Asking for a raise isn’t something that should be taken lightly.  How you prepare for the meeting with your boss often determines whether they agree to raise your rate of pay.  It’s imperative to take the time, outline your goals, and consider the possible outcomes.  If you fail to do this, you could lose more than money; in fact, your relationship with your employer might be in jeopardy if you don’t play your cards right. 

No one likes to have to ask his or her employer for a raise.  It’s embarrassing and most of the time these requests are rejected.  While most go though life never having to broach the topic, others are faced with the reality of having to ask for a raise.  Even though you might not be in the situation where you have to ask for a raise at this point in your life, you never know when something might change that.  It’s a good idea to know how not to ask for a raise.

Choose Your Words Carefully

Walking into your boss’ office and demanding a raise rather than asking for one politely is not the way to go.  Demanding will get you nothing, and it’s likely to hurt your work relationship.  If you feel you need to ask your employer for an increase in pay, it’s okay to do so, but you have to tread lightly.  Chances are you aren’t the only person feeling like they aren’t getting what they are worth in terms of compensation.  Large employers deal with salary negotiations on a day-to-day basis, and while they would love to give everyone a larger paycheck, it’s not always feasible.  If you are part of a smaller company, it might be easier to secure the increase in pay, but not always.  Rather than walking in and demanding they up your pay, word your request in a manner that highlights your strong points, leaves room to negotiate a raise, and allows them time to look over the company’s financial plan before giving you a final answer. 

Let your employer know why you feel you are deserving of a raise.  In many cases, people ask for a raise not because they feel they deserve it, but because they see the cost of living going up.  Some positions automatically have a cost of living salary raise written into the contract, but others don’t.  If your family is expanding or your spouse recently lost their job, you might have to ask for a cost of living salary raise. 

Don’t Compare Yourself

Most employers frown upon employees discussing how much they make, but it’s impossible to keep your salary completely under wraps.  It’s common to have a conversation with a coworker and find out they are making more than you.  While your first instinct might be to rush into your employer’s office and inquire why they are making more than you are, it’s not a good idea to compare your rate of pay with others.  In many companies, your rate of pay is based on past experience, current supervisor reviews, attendance records, and many other factors.  Don’t expect to be paid the same as someone who has higher ratings than you or more experience.  It’s not going to happen.

Don’t Issue Ultimatums

“Give me a raise….or else,” is not how to ask for a raise.  By issuing an ultimatum, you’re more likely to be fired rather than given the extra compensation.  Some people feel that a company can’t go on without them and walk into the meeting saying they will quit if they don’t get what they want.  Don’t think they can’t get by without you.  Chances are they were in business long before you came along and will still be in business after you have parted ways.  Rather than saying you will be quitting if you don’t get what you want, quietly start searching for a new higher paying position.  If the raise does come through, your current employer will never have to know that you considered leaving the company.

Leave Your Complaints At The Door

Don’t walk in to negotiate a raise with every problem you have ever had with the company in tow.  Leave your personal attacks on coworkers or the company as a whole at the door.  You’re trying to keep your job not lose it.  Following up your request with a list of things you have endured during your employment shows your boss that you are holding a grudge.  Needless to say, if you are holding a grudge over someone getting a promotion over you two years ago, you’re going to hold a grudge it you don’t get your raise now.  This will make for a tense working relationship and could cause long-term tension between your and your employer.

Don’t Harp On It

When asking for a raise, it’s best to be short and to the point rather than harp on why you deserve the raise.  If your employer agrees to consider the option to increase your pay, be happy with that and don’t bring up the issue again until they have had ample time to make a decision.  Depending on the size of the company and how many levels of management the request has to go through, it could take a couple of weeks to get an answer.  During that time don’t continuously ask about the progress of your request.  If you do indeed deserve a raise based on your work ethic and skill, your boss already knows your worth.  Harping on it will only make it worse and will no doubt slow down the process. 

There are no hard fast guidelines on how to ask for a raise.  Each situation is different depending on the size of the company, your history with them, and their financial situation.  If you are lucky, you will never have to ask; however, if you do have to bite the bullet and negotiate a raise, remember these tips. 




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