10 things not to say when asking for a raise
Asking for a raise can take you completely out of your comfort zone, but in today’s economic climate if you don’t ask you often don’t get. Here are 10 things to avoid when asking for that increase:
1. “I quit!” (unless you are prepared to)
While it is very important to do your preparation, don’t threaten to leave if your salary expectation is not met unless you are prepared to do so. Using it as a counteroffer for a raise often makes your employer feel threatened and backed into a corner. They also question your long term loyalty to the company even if you’re successful.
2. “I want it now!”
Timing is everything. Don’t ask for a raise just after your company has announced poor financial results, as that shows you don’t have the company’s interests at heart and will clearly impact your chances of getting a raise even if your boss wants to give you one.
3. “I deserve 200k a year.”
When doing your research, make sure it is realistic. Do you have the same amount of experience for the job advertised online? Also make sure that you research a number of job ads similar to your position and take the average salary, not the biggest one, as your expectation. This also counts to the performance of the company. If the company’s results are less than stellar you may need to rein in your salary expectation accordingly.
4. “I demand a raise.”
The last time you got a raise is largely irrelevant, as length of service is rarely a strong enough reason for a salary review on its own. You have to negotiate for that raise and demonstrate why you feel you are owed one. Acting like your company’s approval is a mere formality would be a big mistake on your part.
5. “I want £X.”
When negotiating, don’t reveal your number first – your boss may be thinking you are worth more! Be prepared to go higher if they are below what you feel is reasonable but do it calmly and rationally. It is after all a negotiation and needs to be treated like one.
6. “It’s all about me.”
As strange as it sounds, your salary review isn’t all about you. You need to highlight your work and its effect on the business in the past 12 months and outline a path for the next 12. This will help your boss see the upside of giving you the raise that you deserve both now and in the future.
7. “And another thing….”
If you are asking for a raise don’t ask for other things at the same time. It complicates the negotiation process and rarely works. Stick to the point and negotiate well.
8. “But they get more than me.”
Firstly, it’s not your place to know what everyone else is earning. Secondly, that comparison is rarely going to get you a raise. Stick to your qualities and achievements and don’t bring in others.
9. “But my recruitment agent told me”
Recruitment agencies make money from you switching jobs, so nine times out of ten they will tell you they can get you a better deal. That doesn’t mean it’s the market rate and certainly won’t help you in your negotiations.
10. “But I’ve just bought a boat”
Your personal circumstances changing isn’t a justification for a salary increase. It’s best to keep that out of the negotiation to keep it on track.
By: Helen Taylor, Head of HR at Instant, the global office broker