01
Ask for a raise
Situation
You now own monthly reporting and have reduced correction work, but your pay has not changed. Your manager says budgets are tight.
Your goal
Discuss compensation with evidence and leave with decision criteria and a review date.
Prepare before you speak
- Which two contributions can you describe with dates and results, without overstating your role?
- What amount or range are you requesting, and what credible information supports it?
- Who decides, when is the budget reviewed, and what will you ask if the answer is no?
Example conversation
You: Could we book 20 minutes to discuss my compensation and the reporting work I added in April?
Manager: We probably cannot increase salaries this quarter.
You: I understand the timing. I now own the report, and corrections fell from six to two per cycle. I would like to discuss a 7% adjustment.
Manager: I need approval from finance.
You: What evidence would help? Can we revisit this on November 20?
Manager: Send the responsibilities and results by Friday; I will check the process.
Three ways to say it
- Gentle
- Could we review how my compensation fits the responsibilities I have taken on? I can bring a short summary.
- Direct
- Based on [contribution] and [expanded responsibility], I am requesting [amount or range]. What is the approval process?
- Firm
- If an adjustment is not possible now, I need clear criteria and a review date. Can we agree on those?
Common mistakes
- Using personal expenses or an unverified colleague's salary as the only argument.
- Filling the silence with a smaller request before the manager answers.
Practice exercise
Write a 45-second request with two facts, one pay request, and one process question. Rehearse without apologizing for raising the topic.
