How to Handle Ask For a Pay Raise Step by Step
When ask for a pay raise leaves you confused, worried, or unsure what it means, a clear step-by-step approach can help you sort the signal from the stress. This guide explains how to understand the situation, reflect on what matters, choose a practical next step, and know when to ask for trusted support.
Make sure you have leverage.
- Consistently meeting or exceeding performance expectations
- Regularly taking on additional responsibilities
- Having a strong professional network
- Getting a pay raise in most industries is hard to achieve unless you have some leverage.
- Leverage can consist of such things as getting another job offer performing above and beyond your job description consistently, effectively, and regularly.
Know your company's policies.
- Company-wide salary ranges
- Pay scale and grade levels
- Performance evaluation criteria
- Read the employee handbook (and company intranet, if you have one), or better yet, talk to someone in Human Resources.
- Here are some things you should figure out:
Know what you're worth - objectively.
- Researching salary data from reputable sources
- Evaluating internal pay scales and grade levels
- Considering external factors like cost of living and market conditions
- It's easy to believe you're worth more, especially if you feel as if you're giving 110 percent every day, but you need to demonstrate this objectively by assessing your worth against that of others in the same industry.
- It's easy to believe you're worth more, especially if you feel as if you're giving 110 percent every day, but you need to demonstrate this objectively by assessing your worth against that of others in the same industry.
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