How to justify your raise
Justifying your desired salary will be accomplished with specific examples of work done well.
Depending on the personality of your manager, you may not need to do this.
Constantly performing well
A good manager should be constantly evaluating your performance and regularly giving you feedback.
Naturally, they will proactively initiate a salary increase discussion with you in line with organisational policies and constraints. For them, they want to keep you as a valuable member of their team.
Be clear
An easy way to begin a salary increase discussion is to say something like: “As I’m looking forward to working and growing with the organisation, I’d love to discuss my salary.” Or “I’m interested in discussing my salary, is now an appropriate time?”
Be specific
Use specific, recent accomplishments and achievements. Highlight the value you have brought to the organisation. Give reasons for why you deserve the salary you are proposing.
If appropriate, mention your desired salary number and specifically outline how you came to this conclusion, if required.
Express enthusiasm
Share excitement for the organisation’s future goals.
Show enthusiasm for your own performance goals, perhaps aligning them with the organisational goals. Stress how you will achieve the intended outcomes for your employer.
Be confident
Be confident in your approach and what you are going to say and do.
This will be dictated by your overall strategy.
Quantify your value
Quantify your value with data, awards, and accolades so that you can demonstrate more tangibly how you have contributed to your organisation’s bottom line.
Present logically
Present the points for your justification for a raise in a logical, compelling way.
Use the correct tone
It is important to speak in non-threatening, simple terms.
Do not be confrontational.
If you go in too hard, aggressive, or start complaining, it may backfire on you.
Respond appropriately
Respond to questions from your manager about your raise logically and tactfully to further justify your request.
Express gratitude
Expressing gratitude and appreciation for what you currently have is a gracious and professional preface to asking for more money.
The next steps after your discussion
It is a good practice to document in writing the next steps or things you have agreed with your manager during the discussion.
Document your next agreed steps
There may be different outcomes for you to document:
(1) If there is no budget for a pay increase now, ask your manager what is expected to change the situation. Revisit the outcome in a couple of months.
(2) If there is another conversation to be organised, confirm the day and time for that meeting to occur.
(3) If the answer to your request is ‘no’, ask if there is another way to acknowledge your achievements such as bonuses, time off in lieu, extra paid leave, etc.
(4) If there are doubts still lingering in your manager’s mind about your performance, ask if there is anything you could do.
(5) If there is an element of poor performance on your part that has prevented a salary increase to be granted, outline the issues and provide a solid plan to address them. Ask for another performance review in a few months time.
(6) If there is no leeway whatsoever, your manager would have gained an awareness of your value and desire for a salary increase. You can ask them for another discussion in three to six months.
(7) If your manager agrees to a pay increase, clarify when it will be paid from. Suggest that you meet in another year to review your progress and salary again.
(8) If there is a counter-offer being offered and it was accepted, document that agreement.