Dear Pete the Job Guy,
What is the best way to ask for a raise?
Thanks,
Mr. Poor
Key Takeaways:
- Speak from a position of power. In this case, power is equivalent to your positive contributions to the company. Your positive contributions merit an increase in pay.
- List your accomplishments worthy of a raise.
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- E.g. meeting and exceeding quota each term, taking lead on ABC project, being the first in the office and last to leave consistently, and more…
- Consider your timing. Aim to bring up this topic near your annual performance review. If you do not have one, ask Human Resources about implementing it.
- If you do not believe your pay is commensurate for your station at work, download our salary guide to leverage the pay you deserve.
Transcript:
[This is a direct transcription for your benefit. Please ignore any typos.]
Pete: Arren, I think it’s probably a good time we get some mailbag deal. Why don’t you get one? What do you got?
Arren: So, ooh, this is interesting. Dear Pete the job guy, what is the best way to ask for a raise?
Pete: Ooh!
Arren: Signed, Mr. Poor, from Murray Hill.
Pete: Mr. Poor. You’re not worthy of that raise. Stop asking for one. You keep hitting me up, what’s the matter with you?
Pete: Hey, listen, what’s the best way to ask for a raise? A raise is done for two reasons. It’s either gonna be merit-based, or time in the seat. Some companies, every, depending on what your role is, they’re gonna give you a year, an annual increase, and it’s usually three percent, is about average from what I’m seeing. Three to five percent. And they give you an annual increase, based on your tenure.
Pete: So sometimes, it’s like clockwork, it happens, and sometimes, you have to ask for it. But if you’re ever asking for a raise, I always tell you, you speak from a position of power. You don’t kind of, oh, I want a raise. You do something to earn it. That’s why I say, it has to be merit-based. If I go above and beyond, and I do it consistently. If I want a raise, I want to have earned that raise.
Pete: Now, a lot of employers aren’t intuitive or just don’t realize, oh, I should probably give this person a raise. I probably should. So sometimes, you do have to point it out to them. But I always, hey, it’s usually if you can request a performance review, and then they realize, wow, they talk about your accomplishments. Oh, did you notice that on the ABC project, I did this?
Pete: Or, my quota was exceeded each time. And it comes out, usually in a review, and if the boss doesn’t suggest a raise, that’s the time when you have a significant amount of positive contributions that would merit an increase. And it’s based on the things we just discussed. I think it’s time that my compensation is increased. And you do it. But I always like asking for something from a position of strength, or power.
Pete: The other time a raise comes in is if you’re just not commensurate, your pay isn’t commensurate with your station at work. Meaning, you can provide evidence that, let’s say your job is an administrative assistant. And as an administrative assistant, you look through salary guide information, and the easiest way to get a salary guide, whether you’re an employer, or you’re somebody that’s in the workforce like all of us, you can just go to SNIcompanies.com and ask for a salary guide.
Pete: Or, you can call us, and we’re happy to make sure you come by, and we get you one, and we can bring it out to you. But our number is 904-713-2550. That’s where Pete the job guy is every day at SNI companies, and we’re happy to give you a salary guide. And if you can demonstrate that you’re paid beneath what the average salaries are in your area, you have a right, provided you’re reliable, you’re doing the essential functions of your job to the satisfaction of your employer, you have a right to say, hey, listen, I’m looking at the average administrative assistant is making 23 thousand, I’m making 19. I’m below market. I like working here, I want to continue working here, I’d like for you to consider adjusting my salary to a position that’s commensurate with what my contributions are here.
Pete: So I hope that helps. And that was by, was that-
Arren: Mr. Poor.
Pete: Mr. Poor. Well, okay, Mr. Poor, hopefully, we’ll get you a little bit richer.