How to ask your boss for a raise

You need not be afraid to ask for a raise when you can show your boss that you’ve earned it. And when you have earned the right to ask for the raise, just make sure the timing is right. 

When I was a reporter for a television station on Long Island, New York, the owner called members of the news department into his office and announced the department was to be closed and the entire staff let go. When he asked if anyone had any questions, I raised my hand and asked, “Is today a bad time to ask for a raise? While the staff laughed at my attempt to lighten the mood, this antidote is an exaggerated example of when not to raise your hand.

When to ask for a raise

You can look for two opportunities – 

1. Wait for you boss to give you an opening. Opportunities to show your boss you’ve earned a raise occur naturally all the time --

        • When your supervisor complements you on a job well done, thank her say you’d appreciate a meeting to talk about your performance and salary. 

        • When you meet your boss outside the elevator and he asks you how things are going, this is an opportunity to talk about a successful project you’re working on, or how you scored points with a client. Then request a meeting to show how you’re efforts have helped the department or impacted the bottom line. When you have the meeting, show your boss why you’re entitled to a raise. 

2. Create your own opening by keeping a success journal to record your achievements at work. After each achievement has been completed, jot down what you did and the results. Those achievements can look like the bullet points on your resume. Discuss your achievements with the boss to justify your pay raise.

How to ask for a raise 

Use the occasion of your annual review, birthday, or hiring anniversary to discuss your achievements with the boss and how they’ve helped her and the department as the reasons why you’re entitled to more money. 

While a company cannot always give you the raise you deserve, most employers have the option of granting you other forms of compensation. For executives, there are bonuses, stock options, and profit sharing. Lower level employees might ask the company to pay for a cell phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), corporate credit card, or ask to be reimbursed for travel.

When you can show you have contributed to your bosses success or helped improve your department’s bottom line, there’s no need to be afraid to ask for the raise you want.  That’s because you’ve earned it.