Please, sir… can I have some more? My guide to getting the pay rise you deserve
I now work solely for myself. That means I only have one person (bar my clients and partners, of course), to whom I need to answer — me!
This also means that when it comes to pay, I don’t have to nervously make my way into the boss’s room in order to ask for a rise for which I believe I’ve earned the right. I make the decisions, therefore I reward myself when I deem fit.
It wasn’t always this way. I’ve worked for several businesses, and along the way, I’ve always been proactive in ensuring I’m properly recompensed. And if that sounds rather selfish, mercenary or as though I’m only focussed on the wage, I’d forgive you for reaching for that ‘back’ button.
But, wait! There’s a reason I’ve been so intent on ensuring I get paid enough; as a business owner and someone who has spent time at director level, I know that for as important as wage structures are to those in charge, there’s so much other stuff that diverts one’s attention. As a result, it’s a common mistake for management to take their eye off the ball when it comes to employee renumeration.
This blog is therefore not wagging a digital finger at businesses that are seemingly intent on avoiding paying the going rate — it is instead a guide for employees who feel they’re being underpaid.
We’ve all been there, but the idea of approaching the people above to ask for more money is enough to strike fear into the hearts of many.
With that in mind, here’s how I used to approach pay rise discussions:
Get your facts straight
Why do you think you’re being underpaid? Is it just feeling, or does it stack up with the industry norm?
Have a good, long hard think about how happy you are at work; if your engagement levels have dropped and you dread going to work every day, your request for a pay rise may be masking a far more fundamental issue with your career.
Speak to people outside of the business
You don’t have to do this alone. Speak to those closest to you and whom you trust to keep such conversations private.
What do others think to your need for a pay rise? If you’re particularly close to them, explain your current wage and any bonuses and see what reaction you get; you may be surprised.
Ease your way in with an email to the boss
Don’t head straight into your boss’s office with a request for more money — that will never work. Ever.
Instead, ease the conversation into the spotlight by sending a quick, exploratory email. Good communication is vital at times like this, and if you lay some of the ground work with an initial email to the boss, you’ll have a much easier time of it come the meeting.
Explain that you’d like to have a brief chat about your pay, because you’ve got some ideas and questions you’d like to run past the boss. Few will turn you down.
Approach the meeting with a smile
Don’t go in all guns blazing. This is probably the most important meeting you’ll have all week, therefore approach it in a positive manner, and enter the room with a smile on your face to set the right tone.
Don’t become persistent with your follow up
Following the pay review meeting, chalk your job off as done; it’s now down to the boss to make a decision.
By being persistent with your follow up, you could derail the entire process. Any boss worth their salt will get back to you, so let it happen naturally.
Be gracious in defeat or judicious with thanks
When the answer arrives — be ready for it. That means putting on a brave smile if it’s a “no”, while thanking the boss for their time, or being relatively lavish (but not embarrassingly so) with your thanks if it’s a “yes”.
How you react now will inform future pay reviews — never forget that.
Final thoughts
I’m certainly not suggesting that the tips above will guarantee pay rises, but they worked for me when it came to guaranteeing myself fair renumeration.
The very best of luck! If your boss is as reasonable as he or she should be, you won’t do any damage by following the tips in this post.
