If you are working hard day in and out, and exceeding the expectations of your role, it is understandable that you might consider asking for a pay rise. Aside from the obvious reason that you would like to earn more money (who doesn’t!), we all need to feel valued at work and a good salary is part of that. Asking your manager for a pay rise can be a daunting prospect and it is important to take a considered approach to it.

Do I have a chance of a pay rise?

Just because you want a pay rise, doesn’t necessarily mean you will get one. For instance, if you’ve had one within the last year, the company may not have the option within its budget. Similarly, if you’ve had poor attendance, even through no fault of your own, it may be worth holding off until you’ve improved this. With that being said, there is never any harm in asking for a pay rise. The worst they can say is no. However, choosing the right time will give you a better chance of success.

Steps for asking for a pay rise

You can’t keep asking for a pay rise, so it is vital that are well-prepared and that you follow a process. These are steps you can take to ask for a pay rise.

Research market rate

Conduct some research on the current market rate for the job and location. The decision on your pay rise won’t just come down to what others are paying, but it can give you a good base for asking for a pay rise. If you are underpaid, compared to competitors in the local area, your manager might be scared about losing you to one of them. Wages have grown in the UK by 6.6% (although this is much less based on inflation.) Average weekly earnings in the UK are £623.

Basis for salary increase

Understanding the reason you think you should get the pay rise, will give you a starting point for the conversation. For instance:

• Are you going above and beyond the requirements of the role?
• Are you being paid the same as new recruits, even though you’ve been in the role for some time?
• Have you gained new qualifications since you started in the role?
• Have you been offered another job and want to see if your employer will match it?

Make sure you have any evidence to support a pay rise, such as your achievements/additional responsibilities. Your manager may not even be aware of how much you have been doing. If you have saved the company money in any way, this is also good ammunition for asking for a pay rise.

Choosing the best time

There are optimum times to ask for a pay rise. These are times when your manager is going to be most receptive to the prospect. You should not ask for a pay rise if the company is going through redundancies, only ask when the company is in a strong financial position. Another good time to ask is when you have just completed a project or achieved something for the company. You should also ask when your manager doesn’t have a lot on their plate. If they are in the middle of a major piece of work, they may not be able to give your request for a pay raise, the attention it deserves.

Setting up a meeting

You can’t just go up to your manager and ask for a pay rise. Well, you could, but you probably wouldn’t have much success. It is better to have a more formal meeting with your manager, where you can get the chance to present your case in a more structured manner. Your manager is more likely to dismiss the idea if you send them an email about it. They are less likely to do so if you are face to face.

Whether you are actively looking for a new job or interested in hearing about employment opportunities, it is always a good idea to have a professional CV prepared. At Inspired CVs, we can provide you with our professional CV services. If you want to get your CV ready to send to potential employers, you can order directly here, or contact us to find out more.