Thinking About Asking for a Raise?

Whether staying at a company long term, getting more responsibilities, or think your contribution should earn more? Raises are inevitable to want at some point in your career and knowing who, what, when, where, and why are all key to succeeding to obtaining that goal. An easy first step is reading your handbook and becoming acquainted with any salary policies that may answer any questions about raises.  If everything still looks in the clear after that point, start to gather reasons you think you deserve a raise. They can include major accomplishments, newly assigned or created responsibilities, and prepare to answer questions that the manager will most likely have. Some compensation decisions come from the manager or the human resource staff. You will need to make the request as professional as possible. Instead of just walking in and asking for one plan, out of the blue, unprofessionally for the raise request to have a private sit down meeting face to face with them, and you are not in the same place; a Zoom or video chat would be the next best thing. I would strongly discourage doing this over an email or phone call. Timing is something that most raise seekers might not think about when getting ready to pop the question. The company’s overall financial wellbeing might act as a huge decision factor when giving out raises within the company, if there are layoffs or cutbacks could be signs of bad financial health. There are two different times that are the best to seek for a raise. First, most companies have annual or quarterly performance reviews and if everything goes well this would be the most ideal time to ask for a raise. Favorable reviews and a good preset meeting is a perfect time to ask that is in your favor. If the review does not go well I would think that this is not the best time to call for one, but take this as a time to fix some of professional criticism, make changes, and try for one the next review. The other acceptable time to attempt would be after completing a larger, difficult, or company reliant task. This would be like basing what you can and could do off of wanting more compensation for it. Sometimes an employee can be too shy, afraid, or think that the company will give them one when they feel like you deserve it but there are multiple reasons you should ask. Sometimes a company gives out raises based on seniority which is nice for workers more than they have been long term but even if you haven’t been at the company five years doesn’t mean you do not warrant one. Asking for a raise shows you know your self worth and self awareness and want to be compensated for it. Putting forth reliability, initiative, developing new skills, mentoring, and all around being a good employee are all great reasons for receiving a raise.