Networking & Career / Growing Your Career / Lesson 07

LESSON 07 · GROWING YOUR CAREER

Ask for a Raise With Facts

Eighteen easy tips to ask for a raise with facts, so you speak calmly and clearly about your value.

Facts and kindness. Ask with calm.

25 tipsEasy things to say7-day plan

Start with tip 1

Jump to the 7-day plan

25 tips that really help

These ideas come from So Good They Can’t Ignore You (Cal Newport), Getting to Yes (Roger Fisher and William Ury), Mindset (Carol Dweck), and everyday practice. Pick one tip and try it today.

TIP 1

Why prepare

A calm, well-prepared request is taken seriously. Facts make you feel strong and kind.

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Prepare.

TIP 2

Research market pay

Use salary sites and ask peers. Know the range for your role.

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Research.

TIP 3

Collect your wins

Bring three to five results with numbers. Your win list is perfect here.

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Gather wins.

TIP 4

Choose a range and a target

Pick a number slightly above your goal, so you can negotiate. Be realistic.

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Choose one.

TIP 5

Book a calm time

Ask for a private meeting, not a quick hallway chat. Good timing helps.

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Book it.

TIP 6

Practise your opening

Say your first lines aloud three times. A steady start calms you.

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Practise.

TIP 7

Ask clearly and kindly

State your request, then pause. Silence is okay.

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Ask once.

TIP 8

Be ready for questions

Prepare for, why now? and, what about budget? Calm answers help.

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Prepare answers.

TIP 9

Script: opening

Thank you for meeting with me, I would like to talk about my pay and my growth here. Say it calmly.

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Use it.

TIP 10

Script: facts

Over the last year I finished three projects and saved the team about ten hours a month. Say it clearly.

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Use it.

TIP 11

Script: ask

Based on this and market rates, I would like to ask for a raise to this figure. Say it steadily.

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Use it.

TIP 12

Mistake: comparing yourself to a colleague

It sounds petty, so use market facts.

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Use facts.

TIP 13

Troubleshoot: when they say there is no budget

Ask what would be needed and set a date to revisit. Request other benefits too.

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Ask for a plan.

TIP 14

Troubleshoot: when you feel nervous

Practise with a friend and breathe slowly. Calm grows.

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Breathe.

TIP 15

Drill: write your three proof points

Write three results with numbers for your raise talk.

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Write three.

TIP 16

Drill: rehearse your opening

Say your first thirty seconds aloud five times.

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Rehearse.

TIP 17

Pick the right moment

Ask after a big win or at review time. Avoid busy weeks.

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Pick a moment.

TIP 18

Bring one page of facts

A page keeps you calm and clear.

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Make a page.

TIP 19

Example: the page of facts

Anil brought a page with three results and market pay. His boss agreed to review in a month.

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Make a page.

TIP 20

Example: the calm ask

Mei asked kindly, pausing after her number. The boss said she would check.

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Pause after asking.

TIP 21

Mistake: asking by text in a rush

Ask in person or on a call when possible.

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Ask calmly.

TIP 22

Troubleshoot: when the answer is no

Ask what would change it and set a date to talk again.

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Ask for steps.

TIP 23

Ask what a fair range looks like in your company

Asking about the usual range for your role gives you facts and shows that you want to be fair and clear.

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Ask kindly.

TIP 24

Plan your first sentence and your last sentence

Knowing how to start and how to end keeps you calm, and the middle follows more easily.

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Write both.

TIP 25

Send a thank-you message after the meeting

Thanking your manager for the conversation leaves a warm mood and gives you a record of what was said.

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Send it the same day.

Easy things to say

When you are stuck, pick one of these. They work in many networking and career moments.

ASK

“Could we talk about my pay?”

FACTS

“Here is what I achieved.”

MARKET

“Here is what the market pays.”

VALUE

“I would like to grow with you.”

PAUSE

“I would like to hear your view.”

CLOSE

“Thank you for listening.”

Your first week

One small action a day. Each day is only a little bigger than the last.

DAY 1
Research pay

DAY 2
Collect wins

DAY 3
Choose a number

DAY 4
Book a meeting

DAY 5
Practise

DAY 6
Ask calmly

DAY 7
Follow up

Further reading

• So Good They Can’t Ignore You (Cal Newport)
• Getting to Yes (Roger Fisher and William Ury)
• Mindset (Carol Dweck)

The tips above are written in our own words and are general guidance. The books are suggestions for further reading.

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These lessons share general learning and everyday ideas. They are not medical or mental health advice. If you feel very anxious, low or unwell, please talk to a doctor or a qualified professional.