Let’s be honest – asking for more raise is awkward. But with living costs through the roof, more of us than ever are having to bite the bullet, pluck up the courage, and rap-tap-tap on our boss’s door, ready to pop the question.
Yep, we’re all feeling the squeeze, and more of us are making plans and devising strategies to ask the boss for more cash. But hold up before you march into that office all guns blazing. Because apparently, we’re all doing it wrong.
“Most people mess this up before they even start,” says Rob Phelps, a career expert at Social Media Jobs, who’s seen it all, from requests bumbled and bags fumbled all the way to more positive outcomes to the question, “can you pay me what I’m worth, please?”.
But with companies aiming to keep a tight grip on their purse strings while still posting decent profits, getting this conversation right matters more than ever.
The Words That’ll Sink Your Chances
First up, let’s talk about what not to do. You know that urge to tell your boss about your sky-high energy bills or the fact that your rent’s just gone up? Fight it. Seriously. Your boss may be dealing with the same inflationary headaches you are – and you risk losing the argument in their eyes from the off with this approach.
“Telling your boss you need more money because of rising living costs might seem logical, but it actually undermines your professional leverage,” Phelps explains. “Instead, frame your request around your value to the company, backed by concrete achievements and data.”
DON’T SAY: “I need more money because my living expenses have gone up.”
TRY INSTEAD: “I’ve taken on X responsibilities over the past year, and achieved X results, which have contributed X value to the company, so I’d like to discuss a pay adjustment.”
Read: 5 ideal tips for getting a pay rise
Being Too Casual
Another common mistake is the casual approach – the impromptu “Can I have a pay rise?” conversation, perhaps three pints deep and punctuated by a knowing giggle. This seemingly innocent query can signal a lack of preparation and professional judgment. Instead, experts recommend scheduling a dedicated meeting and arriving armed with evidence of your contributions.
DON’T SAY: “Can I have a pay rise?” (while catching them by the coffee machine)
TRY INSTEAD: “I’d like to schedule a meeting to discuss my salary. I’ve put together some information about my contributions and achievements, and how they’ve impacted the business.”
It’s also wise to avoid phrases like “I think” or “I feel”. These weaken your argument, as you should have a solid enough case to know you deserve a pay increase, not just think.
The Office Politics Trap
Here’s another classic blunder: “But Sarah in accounting gets paid more than me!”
Even if you’re right (and even if Sarah told you herself), bringing up your colleagues’ salaries is never a good move. “Office relationships are complex enough without introducing pay comparisons into the mix,” notes Phelps. “It’s far more effective to reference industry benchmarks and market rates for your role.”
Do your homework on what people in your industry are making; it will be seen as more professional and won’t land you in hot water with Sarah at the next office party. While pay transparency is increasingly mandated by law, creating new dynamics in workplace compensation discussions, experts maintain that individual negotiations should still focus on personal merit rather than internal comparisons.
The Power of Preparation
For those considering asking for a raise, the message is clear: preparation, professionalism, and precise language are your strongest allies. Here’s what you need to do:
- Schedule a proper meeting rather than attempting corridor conversations
- Come armed with concrete evidence of your achievements and contributions
- Know your numbers – both what you’ve achieved and what you’re asking for
- Research industry standards and market rates
- Practice your pitch (yes, in front of the mirror if necessary) and anticipate counter-arguments
- Have a plan B if they say no and prepare a professional response to rejection (hint: it’s not storming out). Stay professional, and ask for feedback on what you could do to have your request granted in the future. Don’t just give up, and ask if you can set another meeting at a later date to revisit your request.
More Conversation Tips
DON’T SAY: “If you can’t give me a pay rise, I’ll have to quit.”
TRY INSTEAD: “I really value my career here and what I can add to the team’s success. Can we discuss ways to ensure my compensation reflects my role and contributions to the business’s growth?”
DON’T SAY: “It’s not fair – I work much harder than everyone else!”
TRY INSTEAD: “Based on my research of industry benchmarks, I believe there’s an opportunity to discuss my current pay. Can we talk about how my salary aligns with my role and achievements?”
DON’T SAY: “I should get a pay rise because I’ve been here for years.”
TRY INSTEAD: “Over the past X years, I’ve worked on [specific achievements] and developed [specific skills] which have allowed me to achieve [goals and results]. I’d like to discuss how these contributions align with a potential salary increase.”
The Bottom Line
It’s 2025, and the work world is evolving rapidly. Remote work means competing with talent globally, normalizing cross-regional pay scales. Meanwhile, artificial intelligence is reshaping job roles faster than ever. Understanding how to advocate for your worth has become essential.
The surge in searches for pay rise advice suggests we have a workforce that’s increasingly aware of its worth but uncertain about how to capture it. As Phelps notes, the people who get pay rises aren’t necessarily the ones who work the hardest – they’re the ones who can demonstrate exactly how they’ve added value to the company and aren’t afraid to speak up about it.
So stop hoping your boss will notice your hard work and magically shower you with cash. And if you get turned down? Keep it professional. Ask what you need to do to get that ‘yes’ next time. After all, you’re playing the long game here.
Remember: it’s not about what you need – it’s about what you’re worth. Now go get that money conversation right. Your bank account will thank you.
