5 tips for asking for a raise

If you feel like your salary is less than it should be, you’re probably not alone.

In many parts of the world, wages have lagged behind the rising cost of living.

A wage increase is a move envisaged by many, even more so in this context. Although there is no guarantee that a conversation with your boss will result in the salary increase you desire, there are ways to increase your chances of success.

We spoke to UK recruiters, a manager and a psychologist, who shared five tips on how to better negotiate a potential salary increase:

1. Pick the right moment

Pre-scheduling a conversation will give you and your boss time to prepare, says Jill Cotton, career trends expert at Glassdoor. This increases the likelihood that the exchange will be fruitful.

“Don’t surprise your boss,” Cotton recommends. “Be honest and say you want to schedule a salary conversation specifically.”

Rosunara Begum, who runs an Indian restaurant in England with her brother, recalls that there are good moments given the situation of the company itself: if the worker submits his application during a period when the establishment is doing well, there is more chance of success in asking for a raise.

2. Taking evidence

If you are asking for a raise, you must have a lot of arguments.

says Shan Saba, UK director of recruitment firm Brightwork.

This evidence of a job well done also helps your boss justify why you should be paid more, according to Stephanie Davis, a workplace psychologist.

“The brain needs a ‘why’: why should I pay that much?”

However, it’s not just about carrying a list of all your accomplishments: It’s also important to be clear about what you want to do next, says Shan Saba.

“If you have aspirations for growth within your organization, have a plan for what you intend to do in the next year.”

3. Be confident

Jill Cotton of Glassdoor says people often don’t feel confident about bringing up this kind of topic because there’s a “stigma” around paying? Which the specialist remembers as “an important part of the job”.

Psychologist Stephanie Davis adds that women and members of minorities may find it particularly difficult to ask for a raise. She recommends looking for a teacher or an experienced person who can help you prepare for these conversations.

4. Consider an amount

Most experts agree that it’s best to have an exact amount in mind before starting the compensation conversation.

Do your research, advises James Reed, president of staffing firm Reed.

“You can search online for job postings and see the salaries for similar jobs,” he says.

Cotton cautions that the amount should be realistic.

“We would all like to be paid millions every year. But we get paid to do a job with the skill set that we have,” she says.

5. Don’t give up

If the above steps did not lead to a salary increase, try not to get discouraged.

“Sometimes these conversations can take a while, or even months, but it’s important to keep communication open,” Begum says.

Salary isn’t everything, Reed says.

“It’s not necessarily about the money. You can have more flexibility in working hours,” he says, adding that additional training and development tools can also be negotiated.

And if you feel like you’re not getting what you want from an employer, remember that there are other opportunities out there.

“You can always look elsewhere, that’s the big takeaway,” says Stephanie Davies.

– This text was published in https://www.bbc.com/portuguese/geral-64382420