Are you ready for a raise? Preparation is one of the most important factors in successfully requesting a raise. Getting the timing right, structuring the request, and justifying your raise are all components of a successful request for a raise. Over the next couple of weeks, we will look at a 14-day challenge will help you prepare to ask for a raise.
During this challenge, you’ll take 14 days of consistent action focused on activities in these areas:
- Research Your Raise Request
- Practice Asking For a Raise
- Set Yourself Up For Success
- Grab Bag
- Make The Ask
Take one action each day from one of these areas (see the list below for ideas). Taking action in each of these areas over the course of the challenge will prepare you to make a successful raise request.
You can choose either the Challenge Calendar or the Challenge Planner to plan and track each day’s activities. Write down the activity you will do and put a big red ‘X’ on each day you complete the challenge activity. At the end of the 14-day period, you want as many spaces marked off as possible on your Calendar or Planner.
There are three ways to conduct the challenge:
- Do one action item each day for 14 days straight
- Take action for six days each week (no Sundays) for a little more than two weeks
- Take action for five days each week (no weekends) for just under three weeks
It’s up to you!
During the challenge, reward yourself for good performance. Enjoy a special outing or anything else that will encourage you to keep going!
Here is the first suggested action to help you prepare.
Research Your Raise Request
- Using an online salary website, research what others are getting paid to do the job you do.
- Contact your industry’s professional or trade association to see if they have salary data for your position. (Remember to compare job responsibilities, not just job titles, as these can vary from company to company.)
- Look on Glassdoor or PayScale to see if you can find salary information for your specific company and job title.
- Research how your company typically handles raises. Are they given out at a specific time each year? Are they merit- or performance-based, or fixed cost-of-living raises?
- Create a list of your accomplishments (within the last 12-18 months) that makes you valuable.
- Conduct a Google search for “average salary for (job title).” This can sometimes lead you to more specific salary data for a profession.
- Identify any company-specific factors that might affect your raise request (for example, recent loss of a key client — or acquisition of a new contract, or company culture and pay philosophy).
- If you work for a company that doesn’t do annual performance reviews (and raises), ask your supervisor for an opportunity to meet one-on-one to discuss your workload, performance, objectives, and compensation.
- Prepare an objective (factual, non-emotional) list of reasons for requesting a raise. These should have to do with your work responsibilities and performance.
- Make a list of three things that you would be willing to accept in lieu of a raise in case money isn’t an option (i.e., association dues, training, a flexible schedule).
More to come!!
