Asking for more money is uncomfortable. Most people would rather clean their garage or sit in traffic than negotiate their salary. But not negotiating can cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars over your career. Here’s how to do it right.
Preparation is everything. Before you ask for a raise, you need to know what you’re worth. Research salaries for your position in your geographic area using sites like Glassdoor, PayScale, and Salary.com. Talk to colleagues if you’re comfortable – salary transparency helps everyone. Consider your experience, education, skills, and performance. Are you being paid fairly for what you bring to the table?
Document your achievements. Keep a running list of your accomplishments, especially those that saved money, made money, or improved efficiency for your company. Did you land a big client? Streamline a process that saved hours of work? Train new employees? These are your leverage points. Quantify everything you can – numbers are persuasive.
Timing matters. The best time to ask for a raise is after you’ve completed a successful project, received positive feedback, or taken on additional responsibilities. Annual performance reviews are natural opportunities, but don’t feel limited to them. If you’ve been doing excellent work for six months with no recognition, it’s reasonable to start a conversation.
Practice your pitch out loud. Know exactly what you want to ask for and why you deserve it. Start with something like, “I’ve really enjoyed my time here and I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together. Based on my contributions and market research, I’d like to discuss adjusting my salary to $X.” Then be ready to discuss your specific achievements.
When they make an offer, don’t accept immediately, even if it’s good. Say something like, “I appreciate this offer. Can I have a day to think it over?” This gives you time to evaluate whether it truly meets your needs and prepare a counteroffer if needed. Most employers expect some negotiation and leave room in their initial offer.
If they can’t meet your salary request, negotiate other benefits. More vacation days, flexible work arrangements, professional development budget, better job title, or a guaranteed review in six months. These have real value and might be easier for your employer to give than cash.
What if they say no? Ask what you would need to accomplish to earn a raise in the future. Get specific goals and a timeline. Then exceed those goals and ask again. Sometimes a “no” is really a “not yet.” If you consistently get denied raises despite excellent performance, it might be time to look for opportunities elsewhere.
Remember that changing jobs is often the fastest way to significantly increase your income. External candidates typically command higher salaries than internal promotions. Don’t be afraid to explore the market, even if you’re happy where you are. Knowing your worth gives you confidence in all salary conversations.
Negotiating gets easier with practice. The first time is the hardest. Each successful negotiation builds your confidence for the next one. You’re not being greedy – you’re advocating for your own value. That’s a skill worth developing.
