5 Things You Must Consider When Asking For A Salary Increase

I have been working for this company for 2 years now and my salary has never been reviewed. How do I go about asking for a salary increase without risking my job safety?

Asking for a salary increase at work is one of the most difficult things to do because most people are scared and do not know how to go about it. If you are in a similar situation, then there are things you need to consider and steps to follow before you go asking for a raise.

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Here is a list of things to consider before asking for a salary increase.

1. Have leverage

You cannot just go to your boss and ask for a salary increase before you determine your worth in the organization.

As an individual you need to look at your education level, keeping in mind that the salary of someone with a Diploma is different from that of someone with a Degree. How many years of experience do you have and what have you achieved while working in the organization?

These are questions you need to ask yourself if you want to ask for a raise because then you can gauge how much to ask for.

2. Be informed

The second thing you need to do before asking for a salary increase is acquired information on the process and the financial status of the organization.

The last thing you want to do is ask for a salary increase when the company is experiencing losses. You also do not want to ask for a salary increase the wrong way. Some organizations want people to write letters, others prefer discussing it with the boss directly.

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It is important to know how to go about it so that you do not ruin your chances because of not following the right procedure.

You need to also find out how much someone in your position in the same industry is earning. This will help you figure out how much you should ask for.

3. Build your case

This is where your leverage comes in. When asking for a raise, you need to convince your boss that you truly deserve it.

Most people, however, make the mistake of saying something like “I need the money because my responsibilities have increased” this is not a good argument for your case and more often than not it doesn’t work.

You have to be able to show your boss that you deserve the increase. Show your worth by providing evidence of your accomplishments and merits.

It is important that you have good negotiation skills so that in case you cannot get the increase you can get something else like travel allowance, fewer working hours or something like that.

What you should never do is give an ultimatum like without the increase you will quit. Remember, there are many people with your qualifications and your boss will not hesitate to hire someone else.

4. Timing is everything

It is advisable to ask for an increase when you’re more productive at work. By this I mean the period you are having great success in the office is the right time to ask for an increase. For example, if you have just landed a deal that is very beneficial to the company.

There is a better chance of your request being granted when you are at your peak than when you are performing poorly.

5. Expect a ‘No’

The chances of you getting turned down are very high when it comes to asking for a salary increase.

However, it is important to remember that it isn’t forever. A no now can be a yes later. Therefore, you should not lose hope and start slacking off at work or looking for another job. Instead, you should ask your boss when you can talk about the raise again.

Do not throw tantrums, but instead, continue working hard and if you feel the need to look for another job then ensure you do not destroy your relationship with your current employer.

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Asking for a salary increase is a good way to ensure career growth and will also lead to job satisfaction. Therefore, you should not shy away from asking for a raise, especially if you feel like you deserve it.

Do you have any questions? Leave them below.

The writer is a Digital marketer at Career Point Kenya. Email: michelle@www.careerpointkenya.co.ke