4 Ways to Get a Pay Raise

The workplace is certainly a friendlier spot for women than it was a few decades ago – but when it comes to rate of pay, female employees still struggle to earn the same amount as their male peers. Women can continue to wait for the tides to turn in their favor, or they can start taking matters into their own hands in the form of speaking up. Demanding equal pay through performance raises is one way to eventually level the paying playing field.

So how can you ensure that your paycheck reflects your worth? Take a look at four ways to ask for that raise – and receive it.

Time It Right.

If your employer is right in the middle of a stressful project or on a tight deadline to have products delivered, asking to talk about your compensation is in poor taste and will not have the reception you hoped. You also want to avoid trying to carve out time to talk with your superior around busy personal times, like the holiday season. The best times to ask? A full month before your next performance review will happen, or two months before the start of the next fiscal year (normally July). Make your request for a raise easy to fulfill by having the timing just right.

Practice.

Going in and asking for a raise with no supporting reasons or documentation won’t work. Take the time to assess all that you do in your position, and all that you’ve added to your workload since your last raise in pay. What wins have you sealed for the company? Write those down. Practice (out loud) how you want to lead the conversation and try to predict what questions you may receive so that you have professional and accurate responses.

Neil Blumenfield is a 2015 World Series of Poker 3rd place finisher and also a successful software technology businessman prior to the world of elite poker. He cites this poker comparison to having an edge in business:

“Anyone who enters a poker tournament without a game plan for success is depending strictly on luck to win… determine the tactics for executing on the strategy and leaving a reasonable amount of flexibility to deal with unexpected or unfavourable events.”

In other words, simply leaving the answer to your raise request up to luck is not a smart strategy.  Your preparation WILL make a difference in the outcome.

Know Your Market.

Each company pays its employees in a different way but it will help if you know what you are worth in your industry, or at competing companies. This is just for your own knowledge, of course. Asking your boss to pay you the same as another person at a competitor is not professional and is also not a great argument for why you, as an individual, deserve more money. Head to sites like …. And … to run a default search on your job description and geographic area. From there, decide a reasonable raise amount based on your performance, seniority, and necessity to the company.

Don’t Apologize.

When people get nervous, they have a tendency to act apologetic for their actions. This comes off as having lack of confidence. If you aren’t sure that you deserve a raise, why should your boss buy in? Know going in that the answer could end up a “no” but believe that your concerns about compensation are valid ones and will get their fair shot.

How have you asked for, and received, better compensation?

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