Having worked in a company for many years, feeling that your abilities have improved and your performance evaluations are outstanding, yet noticing your salary has remained unchanged, with no indication from the boss of a raise, in such a scenario, consider proactively requesting a salary increase.
Requesting a raise must be predicated on your work. First, assess whether your performance and contributions warrant a raise from the boss. If you’re asking for a raise merely because of your long tenure and seniority without an improvement in performance, it might make the boss think you’ve stagnated despite your long service. In salary negotiations with the boss, your performance and contributions are your best leverage.
Timing is also crucial; if the company is considering layoffs, it’s not the best time to ask for a raise, as it might backfire. Choose a time when the boss is in a good mood or has fewer pressing matters. If the boss is agitated or busy, they might outright reject your request. Even if they later think your request was reasonable, they might not initiate a raise due to face-saving.
Moreover, when discussing a raise, avoid following trends. If many are talking about raises or some are already negotiating with the boss, or if you go with a group of colleagues to ask for raises, the boss might see it as a form of group pressure. Among these people, some might be average performers, not truly deserving of a raise, just trying to capitalize on the situation. In such cases, the boss might decide not to give raises to anyone. If the boss gives a raise only to you in front of others, it could isolate you, causing friction with colleagues.
Before negotiating with the boss, establish a baseline for your salary expectations. Based on your current salary, calculate an increase proportional to your achievements. Discreetly gather information about the salaries of peers within or outside the company who have similar roles and performance. Be prepared. Generally, bosses won’t give a direct answer but will ask about your salary expectations. For straightforward bosses, you might directly state your desired salary range, but for those who are shrewd negotiators, stating a specific number outright isn’t wise as it can put you at a disadvantage.
