The recent salary survey from Hays revealed that 67% of employees in Australia are open to salary increases but the value of the increases falls below the expectations of employees.
Regardless, getting a pay rise is an important part of working, and you should know how to do it if you want to grow professionally.
The idea of talking to your boss to request pay increase can be nerve racking, so to help you prepare, here are 10 tips on how to ask for a pay rise :
1. Choose your timing
Don’t approach the boss at the busiest time of the week like Monday mornings when everyone is warming up for the week or on Friday afternoons when they are winding down for the weekend.
Instead, chat with your manager when they are feeling relaxed like after lunch. This will also help you avoid feeling nervous during the conversation.
Don’t ask for salary or performance reviews when the company has just received some bad news or your boss is in a bad mood.
2. Pick the right spot
Invite a casual time with your manager in a neutral place in the office. Ideally, your boss should sit somewhere soft and comfortable.
A relaxed boss is more likely to agree to your demands.
If your boss is seated on a large imposing chair, it is more likely that he will behave in an authoritarian way.
3. Appearance matters
Dress for the job you want, not the job you have.
The image you portray is part and parcel of you doing your job well.
So dress to impress, and show your boss that you are serious in your job.
4. State your reasons
Present your case calmly and professionally.
Try your best to answer this question: what is your role or benefit to the organisation?
Give clear examples of how you have gone beyond your basic job description and highlight examples where you have taken the initiative or helped support the team.
Always keep in mind that this is a business meeting and your goal is to convince your boss you deserve a raise.
Before the meeting, try to write a script to help you prepare for possible conversation flow and respond to common questions during a salary review.
Checking current salary guides in Australia can also help you negotiate your new rate.
5. Be silent
After you have said your piece and stated the reasons why you deserve a pay rise, give your employer a chance to respond.
Never say you are underpaid. Instead you should say: “I have been thinking about my responsibilities and how they might be reflected in my pay.
What do you think?” An open question gives the boss a chance to respond, but don t expect an answer immediately.
6. Keep the boss on side
It is always in your interest to keep your boss on board.
Reaffirm your commitment to the job and show you are up for challenges.
Never get defensive or aggressive. The more relaxed you are, the more relaxed your boss will be.
7. Stay calm.
Leave your personal financial woes out of the conversation with your boss.
It’s not a good idea to plead about how you are struggling to buy a home, can be a major turn-off.
Avoid tantrums and threats to resign if you do not get your way.
8. Make your own pay rise
If the boss says no, look for other ways to boost your income and change your work habits.
Perhaps, you can instead negotiate for additional benefits such as more days in your annual leave or clothing allowance.
Ask if you could work from home one day a week – that would shave off at least 20 percent of your travel costs.
9. Listen to the answer.
If your boss declines to give you a pay rise, be gracious and ask for feedback on how you can improve your performance so that you can improve your performance.
10. Follow up with an email
If your boss says they don’t have the budget for a pay increase at the moment, ask them when they expect the situation to change and make a note in an email.
Your note to the boss should mention “how interesting to hear your views and as you suggested, I would ask again about a salary review in six months time.’’ This would give you a paper trail.