Asking for a raise gives most people anxiety. However, it doesn’t have to. If you’ve never done it, you should know right up front that there are good and bad ways to conduct yourself during this process. In this blog, we will give you some of our best tips on the best ways to ask your manager for the money that you feel you deserve.
Asking for a Raise
The squeaky wheel gets the grease, right? When it comes to more money, this cliché means that if you don’t ask for a raise, you probably won’t get it. But asking for a raise should be a normal part of having a job. After all, you’re there to earn money, not to work for the fun of it. So, how can you ask for a raise in a way that increases the chances that you’ll actually get one?
Consider your timing carefully. Approach your manager at a time that is convenient for him or her. Don’t do it when there’s a big deadline looming or the day after you know sales numbers came in and they were abysmal. Hitting your boss up the day before they leave for a vacation may or may not be the best approach. They’ll either be frantic trying to get everything done or in a great mood ready to put on a Hawaiian shirt.
A good time to ask for a raise may be the day after the restaurant received praise from a district manager or when a big project was just completed on time and under budget. The point here is to be careful about when you ask as much as what you say.
Well, what should you say when asking for a raise? First, schedule some time to chat. Don’t just spring it on them. Then do your homework. Research what other people in your area are making (Glassdoor is a good resource). If you discover you’re underpaid, print out the numbers and take them to the meeting. Your research should also encompass the salary structure at your company. Finally, you should carefully document the work you’ve done and the accomplishments you’ve achieved. You want enough data at your fingertips to prove your case.
Once you have your data it’s time to figure out what to say. Generally, touch on these points:
- You’ve really enjoyed the work you’ve been doing and appreciate the opportunity.
- You’re proud of what you’ve contributed (share examples).
- You’d like to ask if the two of you could discuss adjusting your salary to reflect the contributions you’ve made.
That’s when your boss may ask about what kind of salary do you think is fair? It’s okay to name what you’re hoping for. Come prepped with a short bullet list of points that shows your contributions.
Finally, you should plan what you’ll do if your boss gives you a flat-out, “No.” It may signal that it’s time to call a professional staffing agency like Gecko Hospitality. We specialize in matching the best workers to the best in business. Talk with our team to find out how we can help.
