CAREER · PAY
How to ask for a raise (with a script you can use)
Asking for a raise feels awkward because it feels personal. It is easier when you treat it as a business case: what you deliver, what the role is worth, and what you are asking for.
Most managers would rather you ask than quietly leave. Here is how to prepare and what to say.
When to ask
- A month or two before pay reviews or budgets are set, not after.
- After a clear win, while it is fresh.
- When your role has grown beyond what you were hired for.
- Not in passing: book a meeting and say what it is about.
What to prepare
- Three results from the last year, with numbers where possible.
- How your role has changed since your pay was set.
- Market information: job adverts and salary surveys for similar roles in your area.
- A specific number or range, and your walk-away point.
A script you can use
- OPEN
I would like to talk about my pay. I have prepared some notes so I can be specific.
- CASE
Over the last year I have [result 1], [result 2] and taken on [new responsibility].
- ASK
Based on that, and on what similar roles pay, I am asking for [amount]. What would need to happen for that to be possible?
- CLOSE
I do not expect an answer today. When could we follow up?
If the answer is no
- Ask what specifically would change the answer, and by when.
- Ask for it in writing, or summarise it in an email afterwards.
- Consider other options: title, training budget, flexibility, a review date.
- Decide calmly whether the role still works for you.
Free tools for this
Frequently asked questions
How much should I ask for?
Use market data for the same role in your location, and ask for a specific figure near the top of a realistic range, with your reasons.
Should I mention another offer?
Only if it is real and you would accept it. A bluff can backfire.
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