How to Ask for a Raise

You have been at your job for some time, and you think you deserve a raise. How should you go about asking for one? The first thing to keep in mind is that years of service really won’t carry much weight in support of getting a raise. A more persuasive argument would deal with how you have added value to the company. Here are a few ideas on how to do this.

Explain why you should get a raise.

You need to make your case, and for that you need to be prepared with facts and figures to show the caliber of your performance. How have you helped the company? Have you improved sales, recruited new customers, improved operations? You need to show accomplishments and back those up with data.

Know the worth of your job

In other words, what is the average salary in your industry for your job title or position? What do other companies pay for the same type of job? There are many different websites to search for this information, such as Glassdoor. Social media sites are also a good source for gaining this information.

If you find your salary is below the industry average, you can use that information as part of your argument for a raise. Companies need to be competitive with salaries if they want to attract and retain the best people.

Be aware of timing

You need to be aware of other circumstances that may affect the odds of your getting a raise, factors that are out of your control. For example, the company may be struggling to reach its earnings goals, taken on increased debt, or may be under pressure from competition. Or the economy may be suffering a downturn.

If any of these things are happening, it may be a good idea to wait until more favorable circumstances to ask for a salary increase.

If you are denied, plan your next step

You may present a good argument for a raise but still be denied. If this happens, you need to do some detective work. There may some things going on that you don’t know about that are affecting your supervisor’s decision. For example, there may be certain timetables for company salary increases or other factors. Talk to your supervisor about why you have been turned down and find out what you can.

Also, ask for feedback on your performance. Are you meeting or exceeding expectations? Is there anything you need to change. Then, find out when you can bring up the raise issue in the future.

If you are looking for work in the Inland Empire, Arrow Staffing is here to help you. We have the knowledge and network to find a job for you. Give us a call today.

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